Temples and India
India is a land of temples. There are numerous temples located from Kashmir in the North to Kanyakumari in the South. The majority of the Hindus try to visit these temples in their lifetime. The Hindus visit the temples and perform special rituals in the temple, take a holy dip in the temple water bodies and pray to the gods to bless them and their families.
Famous temples to visit in India
1. Mumbai Siddhi Vinayak Temple: Though a small temple, it is very famous in Mumbai and India. People pray to Siddhi Vinayak to be blessed with fortune and to overcome all sorts of obstacles.
2. Kashi Vishwanath Temple: Dedicated to Lord Shiva, it is one of the oldest temples of India and is considered very holy. The majority of Hindus consider visiting this temple at least once in their lifetime as a sacred duty. Lord Shiva is known as Vishwanath, the Lord of the Universe. This temple is in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. The temple is considered significant amongst the twelve jyotirlinga kshetra of Lord Shiva.
3. Puri Jagannath Temple: Located in Puri, Odisha, this temple is dedicated to Krishna, an avatar of Lord Vishnu. Krishna is known here as Lord Jagannath, meaning 'the Lord of all Worlds.' Jagannath is found along with Balabhadra, his elder brother, and Subhadra, his younger sister. During the annual Puri Jagannath Chariot yatra, all the three deities go out in a procession for 15 long days and return to the temple.
4. Tirumala Venkateswara Swamy Temple: The Venkateshwara Swamy temple is the richest in India. It is a hill temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu and is atop the seven sacred hills. The temple is crowded, although the year and festivities happen almost every day. This temple is visited by Hindus living all over the World.
5. Badrinath Temple: This temple is one of the famed char dhams (four sacred temples). Lord Vishnu is in a yogic posture. The temple is open only for six months, and for the next six months, it remains closed due to weather.
6. Kedarnath Temple: This temple is also one of the char dhams (four sacred temples). Lord Shiva is in a different form and was worshipped by the Pandavas. The temple is open only for six months, and for the next six months, it remains closed due to winter.
7. Udupi Krishna Temple: The Krishna temple located in Udupi is famous amongst the Madhwa sect of Hindus. Eight mutts (monasteries) are found around the temple. Lord Krishna's idol is self-manifested, and it was worshipped by Rukmini Devi, the wife of Lord Krishna, long ago. It was retrieved and installed in the present place by Sri Madhwacharya in the 13th century.
8. Sri Rangam Ranganatha Swamy temple: It is the largest functioning Hindu temple in the World and houses the tallest gopuram (temple tower). Lord Maha Vishnu is known as Ranganatha Swamy here and is in sleeping posture. This temple is the first of the 108 Divya Desam temples sanctified by Azhwars, the divine Vaishavaite saints. It is located at Trichy of Tamil Nadu and is easily accessible through road, rail and air.
9. Tiruvannamalai Arunachaleswara Temple: This is a massive temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and is one of the Panchabhoota Sthalams representing the element Fire. The very thought of Lord Arunachaleswara can give Mukti (salvation) from the birth cycle. Arunachala, the big mountain nearby the temple, is worshipped as Lord Shiva himself. During Full moon days, the circumambulation of the Arunachala hill is very special, and thousands throng to perform the mountain girivalam.
11. Madurai Meenakshi Temple: It is one of the 51 Sakthi peetams and an ancient temple built by the Pandyan kings. She is considered the queen of Madurai and is given more prominence than her consort Lord Sundareswarar. The temple is rich in architecture and has several gopurams and sculptures.
12. Kohlapur Mahalakshmi Temple: this temple in Maharashtra is dedicated to Goddess Maha Lakshmi. The Goddess is very popular amongst the devotees. It is widely believed that the blessings of the Goddess will save the devotee from financial hardships.
13. Sringeri Sarada Temple: the Sringeri Saradambal temple is a Sakthi peeth and was consecrated by the great Adi Sankara. Goddess here is a representation of Saraswathi, the Goddess of knowledge. Navaratri is celebrated in this temple on a grand scale.
14. Kanchi Kamakshi Temple: a famous temple dedicated to goddess Kamakshi, is one of the 51 Sakthi Peeths and was visited and praised by Adi Sankara. Goddess is found in the form of Lalitha Tripura Sundari, the highest and the powerful form of Goddess.
15. Kamakya Temple: this temple is located in Assam and is dedicated to the mother goddess. The temple is one of the significant Sakthi peeths.
16. Rameshwaram Ramanathaswamy Temple: One of the 12 Jyotirlinga temples, the Ramanatha Swamy temple is of great significance. Lord Ram and Mother Sita prayed to Lord Shiva here before reaching Ayodhya. Devotees going to on Kashi yatra, visit Kashi Vishwanath first and then come here, worship Ramanathaswamy and complete their yatra.
17. Ujjain Mahakaaleswar Temple: The Ujjain Mahakaaleswar temple is in Madhya Pradesh. Lord Shiva is worshipped as Maha Kaal, the one who controls time and the universe. The Bhasma Aarthi performed in this temple is very special.
The above list is not a complete one, there are many more temples in India, we shall see about them later sometime.
