Top 10 Temples of South India: Experience the Exotic Temple Art

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Find About the Top 10 Temples of South India: Madurai, Thanjavur, Rameswaram etc

Meenakshi Temple, Madurai

The Meenakshi Temple is one of the most grand temples in India. It is located on the southern banks of river Vaigai in Tamil Nadu. The Meenakshi Temple is dedicated to Parvati and her husband, Lord Shiva. It is also called the Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple. This architectural marvel is a throbbing centre of culture and art.
The present structure, which was built between 1623 and 1655 CE, was on the list of top 30 nominees for the “New Seven Wonders of the World.” The halls, gopurams and the shrines of the temple are ornate and grand in their appearance. There are two very distinct features in terms of iconography. These are the shrine of Meenakshi holding a parrot and the right raised leg of Nataraja.

Madurai Temples and other Temples of South India like Kerala, Thanjavur, Rameswaram, Hampi are some of the most gorgeous temples in India. So, a trip in South India, covering these temples is a different experience in itself. While it is true that due to religious sentiments, not all temples allow non-Hindus to enter the core temple area, many of them allow up to a certain point. And that itself can be very rewarding. Because, the type of work you would see on the walls and ceilings of these temples are very unique and spread across centuries and different kings and rulers. So, each is different from the other. The interpretation of each for the same God is different. And that is what makes the temples to unique and special.  

Brihadeshwara Temple, Thanjavur

The Brihadeeshwar temple, which is located in the city of Thanjavur, is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is a splendid example of Tamil architecture under the Chola Dynasty. It is one of the most famous South Indian temples. This majestic and grand temple is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

Ramanathaswamy Temple, Rameswaram

This Temple, which is one of the most sacred temples in India, is also famous for its spectacular location. It is located on Rameswaram island in Tamil Nadu. So, the last leg of the journey to Rameswaram is either via road or train. In both the cases, you would find vast expanses of ocean on either side. Ramanathaswamy Temple is also dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple is also one of the twelve sacred Jyotirlinga temples of the country.

Legend has it that Lord Rama who is believed to have prayed to Lord Shiva here. The temple has one of the longest and most ornate corridors among other South Indian temples. Rameswaram is also one of the char dhams for pilgrimage.

 

Madurai Temples and other Temples of South India like Kerala, Thanjavur, Rameswaram, Hampi are some of the most gorgeous temples in India. So, a trip in South India, covering these temples is a different experience in itself. While it is true that due to religious sentiments, not all temples allow non-Hindus to enter the core temple area, many of them allow up to a certain point. And that itself can be very rewarding. Because, the type of work you would see on the walls and ceilings of these temples are very unique and spread across centuries and different kings and rulers. So, each is different from the other. The interpretation of each for the same God is different. And that is what makes the temples to unique and special.

Virupaksha Temple, Hampi

Hampi is a dream destination in its own right and with the added advantage of visiting the remarkable Virupaksha Temple. No doubt, it should be on every traveller’s South India bucket list. Arguably one of the oldest functioning temple in the whole of India, Virupaksha Temple, is dedicated to the Hindu God, Lord Shiva. Recently it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

It is an important pilgrimage site for Hindus and contains a sacred sanctum, a shiva lingam (a sacred stone), which is said to change colour three times a day.

Airavateswara Temple, Thanjavur

Airavatesvara Temple of Thanjavur is another awe-striking example built in the Dravidian architecture. More specifically, it is Located in the town of Darasuram near Kumbakonam of Thanjavur district. This temple was built in 12th century CE. Currently is is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site. 
This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. In fact, the temple traces its name from Airavata, who is thought to be the white elephant of Lord Indra. As the mythology goes,  Airavata worshipped Lord Shiva in this temple. The temple is also famous for its exquisite stone carvings.

Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, Tiruchirapalli

Tiruchirapalli lies somewhere in between Madurai and Thanjavur. The famous temple of Sri Ranganathaswamy, which is dedicated to Ranganatha, is located in Srirangam of Tiruchirapallia. In fact, Ranganatha is thought to be an avatar of Lord Vishnu.

The beautiful temple, which is built on an island in Kaveri river, is exclusively rich in legend and architecture. One of the hallmarks of this temple is the temple complex. It has one of the largest religious complexes in the world. Built in the Dravidian style, this temple looks magnificent in its appearance and architectural details. The temple is also one of the eight “Swayam Vyakta Kshetras” of Lord Vishnu.

Madurai Temples and other Temples of South India like Kerala, Thanjavur, Rameswaram, Hampi are some of the most gorgeous temples in India. So, a trip in South India, covering these temples is a different experience in itself. While it is true that due to religious sentiments, not all temples allow non-Hindus to enter the core temple area, many of them allow up to a certain point. And that itself can be very rewarding. Because, the type of work you would see on the walls and ceilings of these temples are very unique and spread across centuries and different kings and rulers. So, each is different from the other. The interpretation of each for the same God is different. And that is what makes the temples to unique and special.

Padmanabhaswamy Temple, Trivandrum

When you visit Kerala, especially Trivandrum, you might want to visit the famous there. It is right in the heart of the city. The most famous deity of the temple is Lord Vishnu in a posture called “Anantha Shayana” posture, which is the eternal yogic sleep on the serpent Adi Shesha.

Vitthala Temple, Hampi

This spectacular masterpiece is a living legend of Hampi’s numerous monuments in terms of their architectural magnificence. Vithhala Temple, which is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, stands apart in showcasing its marvellous architecture and grandeur.
The Vitthala Temple is famous for its musical pillars. In fact, the pillars,when played in a certain manner, emit musical notes. Another attraction of the temple is the monolithic and giant stone-chariot, which has , in some way, come to symbolise the city of Hampi.

Sarvani Shaktipeeth Shri Bhagavathy Temple, Kanyakumari

If you happen to visit Trivandrum and take the day trip to the southermost tip of the Indian Peninsula, Kanyakumari, then you cannot afford to miss the Bhagavathy Temple, which is also known by other names like Kanya Devi and Devi Kumari.  In fact, the place, Kanyakumari, is names after the temple. The great Indian saint Swami Vivekananda made a landmark visit to this place before his mission to the Chicago Religious Conference in 1892

 

Madurai Temples and other Temples of South India like Kerala, Thanjavur, Rameswaram, Hampi are some of the most gorgeous temples in India. So, a trip in South India, covering these temples is a different experience in itself. While it is true that due to religious sentiments, not all temples allow non-Hindus to enter the core temple area, many of them allow up to a certain point. And that itself can be very rewarding. Because, the type of work you would see on the walls and ceilings of these temples are very unique and spread across centuries and different kings and rulers. So, each is different from the other. The interpretation of each for the same God is different. And that is what makes the temples to unique and special.

Sri Venkateswara Temple, Tirupati

One of the most famous temples not only in south India, but the whole of India is the Sri Venkateswara Temple of Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh.

This temple is dedicated to an incarnation of the Hindu god, Vishnu. It is reportedly the richest temple in the world in terms of donations received. It is one of the most visited religious sites in India and clocks in anywhere between 50,000 and 100,000 pilgrims daily.

 

Madurai Temples and other Temples of South India like Kerala, Thanjavur, Rameswaram, Hampi are some of the most gorgeous temples in India. So, a trip in South India, covering these temples is a different experience in itself. While it is true that due to religious sentiments, not all temples allow non-Hindus to enter the core temple area, many of them allow up to a certain point. And that itself can be very rewarding. Because, the type of work you would see on the walls and ceilings of these temples are very unique and spread across centuries and different kings and rulers. So, each is different from the other. The interpretation of each for the same God is different. And that is what makes the temples to unique and special.

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