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If you have been to South India, you would not deny that the temple architecture of the region is beyond comparison. From the architectural perfection to the unique rituals and the historical relevance of the temples, the temple in South are worth visiting and exploring.
The temples of South India has attracted tourists and travellers from across the world with its divine aura and charm. The legends behind these temples also make them interesting to a traveller. Thus, these temples have earned a place among the top tourist places in South along with the other tourist attractions. From Madurai Meenakshi and Tirupati Balaji, the list of temples in South India is huge, and cannot be covered on a single trip. However, we bring to you the best of these temples so that you may not forget to visit these temples while you travel to these destinations.
Let us take a look at the top 15 Hindu temples in South India and find out what makes each of tehm inteersting, and why you shouldn't miss them on a trip to the Southern part of India.
Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai
Meenakshi Amman Temple, or Meenakshi Amman Kovil in Madurai is one of the best temples in India. The temple complex covers an area of around 17 acres, and the whole city is built around it. The temple is said to be around 2600 years old.
Photo Courtesy: Jorge Royan
Meenakshi Temple
The temple is dedicated to Goddess Parvati, the consort of Lord Shiva. It is also believed that the wedding of Lord Shiva and Meenakshi took place here.
Photo Courtesy: Suresh
Virupaksha Temple, Hampi
Virupaksha Temple is located at Hampi, around 350km from Bengaluru. Being one of the oldest and the most important structures among the ruins of Hampi, this temple is also among the best temples in India.
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Virupaksha Temple
Being one of the best constructions of Vijayanagara Empire, the temple also has been built by several rulers as each ruler started adding and modifying several portions of the temple, to impose their power on the holy site.
PC: Jean-Pierre Dalbéra
Tirumala Venkateswara Temple, Tirupati
The Dravidian style of architecture is what grabs your attention as soon as you reach this temple that is perched on a hilltop in Andhra Pradesh.
Photo Courtesy: Kalyan Kanuri
Tirumala Venkateswara Temple
Devotees climb the 4000 steps and visit the temple to seek blessings from Tirupati Balaji. The laddu prasad of the temple is also famous.
Photo Courtesy: Dinesh Kumar (DK)
Pattadakal, Aihole
Pattadakal is a religious site that takes us to the glorious past during the times of Chalukya rulers. One of the interesting facts about the temples at this complex is that they were built combining both South Indian and North Indian styles of architecture.
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Pattadakal
These temples at Pattadakal were built during the 7th and 8th centuries, and is a UNESCO site for its architectural marvel.
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Ramanathaswamy Temple, Rameswaram
The Ramanathaswamy Temple in Rameswaram is one of the 12 Jyothirlinga temples, and is among the most famous temples dedicated to Lord Shiva.
Photos Courtesy : www.wikipedia.org
Ramanathaswamy Temple
There are two shivalingas in the temple, one is said to be built by Sita, and the other by Lord Hanuman. The temple corridor is the longest corridor any temple has in India.
Photos Courtesy : www.wikipedia.org
Vittala Temple, Hampi
Each temple in Hampi is a legend to unfold. The Vittala Temple, or Vitthala Temple, is located on the banks of river Tungabhadra, on the North-eastern part of Hampi. This is the most visited temple at Hampi.
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Vittala Temple
The musical pillars of the temple is a highlight that need to be experienced. The temple architecture is the grandest among all the temples in Hampi.
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Airavateswara Temple, Kumbakonam
This beautiful temple in Tamil Nadu is one of the best constructed temples in South India. The temple is known for its stone carvings and breathtaking architecture.
Photo Courtesy: Varun Shiv Kapur
Airavateswara Temple
Built in 12th or 13th century, this temple is among the World Heritage Sites in India.
Photo Courtesy: Karthikeyan.raghuraman
Brihadeswara Temple, Thanjavur
Located in Thanjavur at Tamil Nadu, Brihadeswara Temple is the world's first temple that was built completely in granite.
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Brihadeswara Temple
The Brihadeswara Temple is India's largest temple, and among the World Heritage Sites in India. The statue of Nandi bull at the temple is said to be carved out of a single rock, and is a major attraction here.
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Sri Krishna Temple, Guruvayur
Located in Kerala, the Guruvayur Sri Krishna Temple is among the top temples dedicated to Lord Krishna.
Sri Krishna Temple
The temple is also known as Guruvayurappan Temple. It is from here that Krishnanattam Kali, an art form of Kerala, originated.
Photo Courtesy: RanjithSiji
Chamundeswari Temple, Mysore
Chamundeswari Temple is located atop Chamundi hills in Mysore. Built by the Hoysala dynasty initially, the temple is believed to have been rebuilt with generous donations from the Mysore Maharajas.
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Chamundeswari Temple
The doors to the shrine here is made in silver and gold. A flight of 3000 steps are built on the hill, leading to the temple. It is one of the prime attractions of Mysore.
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Mookambika Temple, Kollur
Kollur Mookanbika Temple is among the top Hindu temples in South India. The temple is dedicated to Goddess Mookambika, who signifies Shakti.
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Mookambika Temple
The idol of the Goddess has three eyes, and a shivalingam is placed in front of the idol. Navratri and Saraswati Puja are celebrated here in a grand way.
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Shore Temple, Mahabalipuram
The Shore Temple at Mahabalipuram is one of the must-visit temples in India. This World Heritage site is one of the ancient structural temples in India.
Photo Courtesy: Gopinath Sivanesan
Shore Temple
The backdrop of Bay of Bengal makes the granite structure of the temple breathtaking beautiful during sunsets. Several deities are worshipped here, symbolic of the religious tolerance of the rulers those times.
Photo Courtesy: Thamizhapparithi Maari
Padmanabhaswamy Temple, Thiruvananthapuram
The famous Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram is one of the temples in South India that are not to be missed. It is also among the richest temples in India.
Photo Courtesy: Ashcoounter
Padmanabhaswamy Temple
The temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. You can see the idol of the Lord in his reclining position, known as 'Anantha Shayanam'.
Photo Courtesy: Kerala Tourism
Suchindram Temple, Suchindram
Suchindram Temple, or Thanumalayan temple, is located in Suchindram at Tamil Nadu. The temple tower stands at a height of 134ft, making it visible from a long distance.
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Suchindram Temple
The temple tower has statues of Gods, Goddess and events from the Hindu mythology carved on it.
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Ranganathaswamy Temple, Srirangam
The Ranganathaswamy Temple, or Thiruvarangam, is one of the famous Hindu temples in South India. Here, Lord Vishnu is found in the reclining position.
Photo Courtesy: Jean-Pierre Dalbera
Ranganathaswamy Temple
The temple is built using Tamil style of architecture, and is also often said to be the largest functioning Hindu temple in the world.
Photo Courtesy: Sissssou2
