15 MUST-VISIT ANCIENT MAGNIFICENT TEMPLES IN SOUTH INDIA

 South India is known for picturesque scenic beauty, ancient temples, and beautiful beaches. It is home to many beautiful ancient temples, standing magnificently for ages. Each temple is breathtakingly beautiful and has a unique story behind it. The temples in South India behold different spiritual beliefs. From Dravidian to Vijaynagara, Chalukya to Chola, each temple has a different architectural style. Many tourists throughout the year visit several online flight booking websites to plan a trip to South India and witness these beauties.

Here are the 15 magnificent temples that you should visit when in South India:

MEENAKSHI TEMPLE, MADURAI:

Meenakshi temple is located in Madurai, which is an example of Dravidian architecture. It is dedicated to the three-eyed goddess Meenakshi Amman (goddess Parvati), who is a symbol of love and fertility. Located on the southern bank of the Vaigai River, this temple was built by King Kulasekara Pandya around 1119-1926 CE. It is believed that Lord Shiva (Sundareswarar) and Goddess Parvati (Meenakshi) got married at the place where the temple is currently situated. 

BRIHADISVARA TEMPLE, THANJAVUR: 

Built by Raja Raja Chola I, this is the biggest temple in the nation and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Made out of granite, the shrine of the tower reaches over 60m. This temple is dedicated to Nataraja (Lord Shiva) and is one of the examples of Dravidian architecture.

RAMANATHASWAMY TEMPLE, RAMESWARAM:

This temple is situated on the Rameswaram, Tamilnadu. Famous for its Twelve Lingas and infinite corridors, this temple is one of the pilgrim sites of Hinduism. According to spiritual beliefs, the temple is a place to wash away all our sins and bring salvation.

 

VENKATESWARA TEMPLE, TIRUPATI:

The Venkateswara temple in Tirupati is situated in the Tirumala hill range, Andhra Pradesh. This temple is dedicated to Lord Venkateswara, a form of Vishnu, and is one of the eight abodes of Vishnu. It is believed that Lord Vishnu has appeared here to save mankind in Kali Yug. This temple plays a vital role in the economy of the state, as it is the richest temple in the world, according to the donations made by devotees.  

PADMANABHASWAMY TEMPLE, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM:

Padmanabhaswamy temple is located in Thiruvanthapuram, Kerala. It is one of the places of 108th Vishnu Divya Deshams. This temple is dedicated to Lord Padmanabhaswamy, an incarnation of Vishnu. It is widely popular for its scenic beauty, architectural grandeur, and wealth. The architectural style of this temple is a combination of the Dravidian style and Kerala style. This is the wealthiest Hindu temple in the world. 

THANUMALAYAN TEMPLE, KANYAKUMARI:

Located in the Suchindram district in Kanyakumari, this temple is dedicated to the Trinity of God, Brahma-Vishnu-Mahesh. This temple is also known as Stanumalya, referring to its three deities. This temple has high religious significance for both the devotees of Shiva and Vishnu. Builtin the 17th century, this temple has four musical pillars carved in a single stone.

VIRUPAKSHA TEMPLE, HAMPI:

This temple is located in Hampi, Karnataka. This temple is the oldest known temple which was built in 740 AD by queen Lokamahadevi of the Chalukya Dynasty. This temple is dedicated to Virupaksha, an incarnation of Shiva. It is one of the most sacred pilgrimages and a UNESCO heritage site among the group of monuments in Hampi.

GURUVAYYUR TEMPLE, THRISSUR:

Guruvayyur temple, the important pilgrims of Kerala are dedicated to Lord Guruvayoorappan, an incarnation of Lord Krishna. This place is also known as 'Dakshina Dwarka.' The idol is made of Patala Anjana stone. The inside of the temple is adorned with intricate mural paintings.

SRI RANGANATHASWAMY TEMPLE, TIRUCHIRAPALLY:

Located on Srirangam Island, this temple is the foremost of the 108 Divya Deshams (Vishnu temples). It is also considered the first kshetra of the eight shrines of Lord Vishnu. This iconic temple is an exceptional example of Dravidian Architecture. The temple worships a form of resting Lord Vishnu, Ranganathan.  

SARANGAPANI TEMPLE, KUMBAKONAM:

Sarangapani temple of Komabakanam is one of the 108th Divya Deshams of Lord Vishnu. It is situated on the bank of the Kaveri River and is also one of the Pancharanga Kshetras (abode of Vishnu located in the Kaveri Riverbank). The architectural style of the temple was influenced by three dynasties Chola, Vijaynagara, and Madurai Nayak Dynasty. This temple is one of the oldest temples of Tamilnadu.

KAILASANATHAR TEMPLE, KANCHIPURAM:

This temple is one of the oldest surviving monuments in Kanchipuram. Built by the king Rajasimha of the Pallava Dynasty, this temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and has 58 shrines dedicated to different forms of Shiva. The temple is an example of Dravidian architectural style and has remarkable Hindu mural art painted on the inner walls. It also has many early script inscriptions which are important for Tamil regional history. 

SHORE TEMPLE, MAHABALIPURAM:

Shore temple of Mahabalipuram is one of the oldest rock-cut structural stone temples in South India. It is one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Built by the Pallava Dynasty, this temple is the oldest structural temple in South India. This temple has two spheres dedicated to both Lord Vishnu and Shiva.

AYYAPPA TEMPLE, SABARIMALA:

Ayyappa temple in Sabarimala is the most prominent of Sastha temples in South India. This temple is dedicated to Lord Ayyappa, the son of Lord Shiva and Mohini, the female incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Located between 18 hills, this temple has Keralian architecture. Every year this temple witnesses the largest annual pilgrimage in the world. 

MAHABALESHWAR TEMPLE, GOKARNA:

Mahabaleshwar temple in Gokarna is one of the temples dedicated to Lord Shiva. This temple was built by the kings of the 'Chanda Rao More' Dynasty. The temple is an example of a Dravidian architectural style. The main attraction of the temple is the 6 feet long Shiva Linga.

DURGA TEMPLE, AIHOLE:

The Durga temple in Aihole is one of the main tourist attractions of Karnataka. This temple was built by the kings of the Chalukya Dynasty. Originally dedicated to Lord Surya, this temple has artwork depicted to Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu, Adi Shakti, and other Vedic deities. This temple has a remarkable apsidal plan, a semi-circular termination of the building. This is a part of the pending UNESCO World Heritage Site list.

South India is home to magnificent architectural marvels in India. These man-made wonders are exceptional examples of different dynasties and architectural styles, which symbolize the rich heritage of India. The temples are the backbone of South India's rich culture. Each temple has its own story and history, which makes them unique. Visit these 15 famous South Indian temples and witness the unparalleled beauty of this incredible nation.

If you wish to visit these temples, go through various online flight booking websites and plan a trip to South India to witness these magnificent marvels.