Home to diverse faiths, India is steeped in spirituality. It boasts many ancient temples that have withstood the ravages of time and plunder. Some are rich in history as well as architectural beauty. For centuries, people have flocked to these abodes of gods and goddesses, seeking blessings, peace, relief from problems, solace, wisdom, peace, and atonement for sins. They embody the promise of spiritual haven and divine connection. India’s iconic temples are the best places to find inner peace and feel the presence of the divine up close and personal. In this article, we will explore some of these spiritual sanctuaries and find out why they are preferred destinations for seekers and lost souls.
Kedarnath Temple, Uttarakhand
This Shiva temple is very difficult to visit. Kedarnath temple is surrounded by the Himalayan mountain ranges and is one of the most visited temples in the world. Kedarnath means ‘temple of the God of the field’.). It is one among the 12 jyotirlinga shrines of Shiva. The temple lies on the Garhwal Himalayan range near the Mandakini river in Uttarakhand. The skanda purana says that it is the place where Shiva released the holy Ganges water from his matted hair. It is also one of the 5 temples built by the Pandavas for worshipping Shiva.
Kashi VishwanathTemple, Varanasi
Kashi Vishwanath Temple is a very famous temple in Varanasi, dedicated to Shiva. Large numbers of Hindus visit the temple every year to seek blessings and give up a habit or things they like to fulfill their wishes. The main deity here is Vishwanath or Vishveshvara, meaning “Ruler of the World”. Varanasi is also called Kashi, so the temple became Kashi Vishwanath Temple. Visiting this temple and bathing in the Ganges River here can grant Moksha. Hindus try to visit Varanasi at least once in their lifetime.
Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple,Kerala
This temple is located on the Sabarimala hill within the Periyar Tiger Reserve in Pathanamthitta district, Kerala. An estimated 10 to 15 million devotees visit the shrine every year. The deity here is Ayyappa, a celibate deity also known as Dharma Shasta, who is the son of Shiva and Vishnu (as Mohini). The temple is on a hilltop surrounded by eighteen hills and stands 487 m (1598 ft) above the mean sea level. It lies amidst mountains and dense forests. People of all faiths visit the temple.
The Golden Temple, Amritsar
This iconic Sikh temple has beautiful architecture and a serene ambiance. People from all religions and backgrounds come here seeking solace and spiritual guidance. The Golden Temple is a very important temple for Sikhs. The four entrances to the gurudwara embody the Sikh belief in equality and that all are welcome in the shrine.
Shirdi Sai Baba Temple
This temple is the 3rd most visited temple in India. Lakhs of devotees come here every week. Shirdi Sai Baba was a fakir and Indian spiritual master and fakir who is believed to be an incarnation of Dattatreya. Both Hindus and Muslims worship him. Baba’s teachings speak of love, charity, helping others, forgiveness, contentment, inner peace, and devotion to God and Guru.
Varanasi Temples
Varanasi is a temple city. Apart from the renowned Kashi Vishwanath temple, it is home to other ancient and famous temples like the Durga Temple, Sankat Mochan Temple, Annapoorna Temple, Kalabairava Temple, Mrityunjay Mahadeva Temple, Sankatha Temple, and many more. The city throbs with a palpable spiritual energy, and those who visit it come back utterly transformed.
Meenakshi Temple, Madurai
This historic temple stands on the southern bank of the Vaigai River in Madurai, Tamil Nadu. It enshrines Goddess Meenakshi, a form of Shakti (Parvati), and her consort, Sundareshwarar (Shiva). The temple finds mention in 6th-century CE texts and is one of the 275 temples of Shiva that are praised in the verses of the Tamil Saiva Nayanars of 6th-9th century CE. It is a wonderful example of Dravidian architecture. Its towering gopurams, beautifully carved pillars, and colorful frescoes are a sight to behold. The temple’s calm environs are perfect for meditation and introspection.
Jagannath Temple, Odisha
This 12th-century temple in Puri, Odisha, enshrines Jagannath, a form of Vishnu. Its annual Rath Yatra festival is world-famous. The temple’s calm surroundings have a soothing effect on the mind and add to its spiritual atmosphere. It is part of the Char Dham pilgrimage. All the well-known acharyas, including Madhvacharya, had visited this temple. Adi Shankara established his Govardhana math here, and Guru Nanak visited it along with his disciples, Bala and Manda.
Akshardham Temple, Delhi
This is a modern temple which is a fine testament to contemporary Indian architecture. It has intricate carvings, beautiful sculptures, water fountains, and lovely gardens. The serene atmosphere attracts many who seek inner peace and relief from the stress and strife of modern life.
