TEMPLES IN INDIA
Art and Culture
Introduction
Temples in India are not merely places of worship; they are repositories of art, architecture, culture, political history and religious philosophy. Spread across different regions, Indian temples reflect regional styles such as Nagara, Dravidian, Vesara and Kalinga architecture.
IMPORTANT TEMPLES OF INDIA
Maha Mrityunjaya Temple
• Location: Nagaon district, Assam
• Houses the world’s largest Shivalinga
• Construction started in 2003 under Acharya Bhrigu Giri Maharaj
• Site associated with Yagna performed by Shukracharya
Sri Govindarajaswamy Temple
• Location: Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh
• Built in 12th century; consecrated in 1130 AD by Ramanujacharya
• Dedicated to Lord Vishnu as Govindarajaswamy
• One of the earliest and largest temple complexes in Tirupati
Govindaraja Perumal Temple (Thiruchitrakoodam)
• Location: Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu
• Dedicated to Lord Vishnu
• One of the 108 Divya Desams
• Idol reinstated by Krishnappa Nayak
• Located inside Nataraja Temple complex
Brihadeeswara Temple
• Location: Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu
• Built by Raja Raja Chola I
• Dedicated to Lord Shiva
• Dravidian style architecture
• UNESCO World Heritage Site
• Also called Dakshin Meru
Martand Sun Temple
• Location: Jammu and Kashmir
• Built by Lalitaditya Muktapida (Karkota dynasty)
• Dedicated to Surya
• Destroyed during rule of Sikandar Shah Miri
Chidambaram Nataraja Temple
• Location: Tamil Nadu
• Dedicated to Lord Shiva as Nataraja
• Displays 108 karanas of Natya Shastra
• Chola period construction
• Foundation of Bharatanatyam
Kashi Vishwanath Temple
• Location: Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
• One of 12 Jyotirlingas
• Dedicated to Lord Shiva
• Rebuilt by Ahilyabai Holkar in 1780
• Managed by UP government since 1983
Kamakhya Temple
• Location: Nilachal Hills, Guwahati, Assam
• One of 51 Shakti Peethas
• Symbol of fertility and Tantra tradition
• Sanctum houses yoni symbol
Mahabodhi Temple
• Location: Bodh Gaya, Bihar
• Associated with Buddha’s enlightenment
• UNESCO World Heritage Site
• One of oldest brick structures
Somnath Temple
• Location: Gujarat
• One of 12 Jyotirlingas
• Rebuilt after independence on Patel’s initiative
• Reconstructed in 1951
Konark Sun Temple
• Location: Odisha
• Built by Narasimhadeva I
• Dedicated to Sun God
• Chariot-shaped temple
• UNESCO World Heritage Site
Jagannath Temple
• Location: Puri, Odisha
• Part of Char Dham
• Famous for Rath Yatra
• Built by Anantavarman Chodaganga Deva
Ramanathaswamy Temple
• Location: Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu
• One of 12 Jyotirlingas
• Longest corridor among Hindu temples
• Dravidian architecture
Meenakshi Temple
• Location: Madurai, Tamil Nadu
• Dedicated to Meenakshi and Sundareswar
• Famous for gopurams
• Chithirai festival
Khajuraho Temples
• Location: Madhya Pradesh
• Built by Chandela dynasty
• Nagara style architecture
• Famous for erotic sculptures
• UNESCO World Heritage Site
Lingaraja Temple
• Location: Bhubaneswar, Odisha
• Dedicated to Lord Shiva
• Kalinga style architecture
• Built by Somavamsi rulers
Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple
• Location: Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala
• Dedicated to Lord Vishnu
• Chera style architecture
• One of richest temples in world
Vaishno Devi Temple
• Location: Trikuta Hills, Jammu & Kashmir
• Cave temple
• Dedicated to Shakti
Amarnath Temple
• Location: Jammu & Kashmir
• Ice lingam formation
• Dedicated to Lord Shiva
Virupaksha Temple
• Location: Hampi, Karnataka
• Vijayanagara period
• UNESCO World Heritage Site
Gomateshwara (Bahubali) Temple
• Location: Shravanabelagola, Karnataka
• World’s tallest monolithic statue
• Jain heritage site
Conclusion
Indian temples reflect the spiritual depth, artistic excellence and cultural continuity of Indian civilisation. From rock-cut caves to towering gopurams, temples have played a central role in shaping social life, economy, politics and art. Preservation and understanding of these monuments is essential not only for heritage conservation but also for appreciating India’s civilisational legacy.
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Subject: Art and Culture
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