Top 10 Most Ancient Temples in India

Top 10 Most Ancient Temples in India: The top 10 most Ancient Temples in India are Brihadeeswarar Temple, Konark Sun Temple, Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Meenakshi Temple, Somnath Temple, Khajuraho Temple, Kedarnath Temple, Jagannath Temple, Dilwara Temple, and Badrinath Temple.

India is a place with lots of different cultures, traditions, and religions. It’s also a place with lots of old temples that are important for religion and history. These temples are super cool to look at because they were built a long time ago and show how smart people were back then. They also have a special feeling that makes people feel calm and peaceful. People from all over the world come to see these temples because they’re so amazing.

In this article, we will take you on a journey to explore the top 10 most ancient temples in India with their location, the year in which they were built, and the highlight of the temple.

About Ancient Temples in India

Ancient temples in India are architectural marvels that reflect the country’s rich cultural and religious heritage. These temples, built centuries ago, serve as important pilgrimage sites and cultural landmarks. They showcase intricate craftsmanship, stunning architecture, and deep spiritual significance. Each temple has its unique design, influenced by various dynasties and architectural styles prevalent during different periods of Indian history. These temples often house idols and sacred relics, attracting devotees from all over the world. Some of the most famous ancient temples in India include the Brihadeeswarar Temple in Tamil Nadu, the Khajuraho Temples in Madhya Pradesh, the Konark Sun Temple in Odisha, and the Kailasa Temple in Maharashtra, among many others.

List of Top 10 Most Ancient Temples in India

The top 10 most Ancient Temples in India are:

Rank	Temple Name	Location	Year Built	Deity Worshipped	Highlights
1	Brihadeeswarar Temple	Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu	1010AD	Lord Shiva	Largest temple in India UNESCO World Heritage Site
2	Kashi Vishwanath Temple	Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh	1780AD (Reconstructed)	Lord Shiva	One of the holiest Shiva temples, visited by millions of devotees
3	Konark Sun Temple	Konark, Odisha	13th century	Sun God (Surya)	Known for its intricate carvings and architectural grandeur
4	Meenakshi Temple	Madurai, Tamil Nadu	12th century	Goddess Meenakshi	Famous for its towering gopurams and vibrant sculptures
5	Badrinath Temple	Chamoli, Uttarakhand	9th century	Lord Vishnu	One of the Char Dham pilgrimage sites, nestled in the
6	Jagannath Temple	Puri, Odisha	12th century	Lord Jagannath	The annual Rath Yatra festival attracts devotees from around the world
7	Somnath Temple	Prabhas Patan, Gujarat	4th century BC	Lord Shiva	Rebuilt several times, symbolizes the resilience of Hinduism
8	Dilwara Temple	Mount Abu, Rajasthan	11th- 13th century	Jain Tirthankaras	Renowned for their intricate marble carvings and architecture
9	Khajuraho Temple	Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh	10th- 12th century	Various deities	Famous for their exquisite erotic sculptures and intricate design
10	Kedarnath Temple	Rudraprayag, Uttarakhand	8th century	Lord Shiva	Located in the Himalayas, part of the Char Dham pilgrimage

First Famous Ancient Temple in India – Brihadeeswarar Temple

In the middle of Tamil Nadu, India, there’s this really amazing and famous old building called the Brihadeeswarar Temple. Some people also call it the Peruvudaiyar Kovil or Rajarajeswaram. It’s a massive and beautiful temple made in the Dravidian style, and it’s all about worshipping Lord Shiva. The temple is known for its huge size, intricate designs, and it has been impressing people from all over the world for a very long time.

• In the 11th century, a king named Raja Raja Chola I, with help from his royal teacher, built this amazing temple to show off the power and riches of the Chola dynasty. It took seven whole years to finish building it, and they used only granite for the entire structure, which is really impressive.
• Originally, they named it Rajarajeswaram after the king, but later they changed it to Brihadeeswarar Temple, after the main god worshipped there, Lord Shiva.
• This temple is so special that in 2010, UNESCO said it’s a really important place for the whole world and made it a World Heritage Site.
• The temple stands super tall, reaching up to 216 feet! That’s really high and makes it one of the tallest temples in all of India.
• The big tower on top of the main part of the temple, called the sanctum sanctorum, is made from a single piece of granite weighing a whopping 80 tons.

Second Famous Ancient Temple in India – Kashi Vishwanath Temple

India has so much history and culture, and there are tons of old temples, monuments, and important places all over the country. One of these special places is the Kashi Vishwanath Temple. It’s in Varanasi, a city in the state of Uttar Pradesh. This temple isn’t just about religion, it’s also a really important symbol of India’s long history, rich culture, and strong beliefs about spirituality.

• The Kashi Vishwanath Temple, which some people call the Golden Temple, is all about worshipping Lord Shiva, who’s a really important god in Hinduism. People believe it’s one of the 12 special places in India where Lord Shiva is worshipped, called Jyotirlingas.
• The main god worshipped in the temple is Lord Shiva, who’s also called Kashi Vishwanath, meaning “Ruler of the Universe.”
• Inside the temple, there’s a special symbol representing Lord Shiva called a lingam. People believe the one here is one of the 12 really important ones, known as Jyotirlingas, scattered across India.
• The temple you see today was built with real gold given by a king named Maharaja Ranjit Singh.
• Famous historical figures like Guru Nanak, Swami Vivekananda, and Adi Shankaracharya have all visited this temple.
• Sadly, the temple has been attacked and damaged many times in history, including in 1669 by Aurangzeb.
• The whole temple area is pretty big, it covers about 3,645 square meters, and there are 15 domes all around.

Third Famous Ancient Temple in India – Konark Sun Temple

India is a place with lots of different cultures and a really long history. There are tons of amazing buildings that have been around for ages. One of these incredible places is the Konark Sun Temple, in the state of Odisha. This old temple shows how smart and dedicated the people of ancient India were when it came to building cool stuff.

• The Konark Sun Temple was built in the 13th century by a king named Narasimhadeva I from a dynasty called the Eastern Ganga Dynasty.
• The temple was made to honor the Sun God, Surya, and it looks like his chariot with 12 pairs of wheels pulled by 7 horses.
• It’s located by the Bay of Bengal, near a holy city called Puri.
• The name ‘Konark’ comes from two Sanskrit words: “Kona” means corner and “Arka” means sun.
• European sailors used the temple to help them find their way. They called it ‘The Black Pagoda’ because it looked black from a distance.

Fourth Famous Ancient Temple in India – Meenakshi Temple

India is a place with lots of different cultures and traditions, and something really cool about it is all the old temples. These temples aren’t just for praying, they’re also super important for history and architecture. One of the most amazing temples is the Meenakshi Temple. It’s in the city of Madurai, which is in Tamil Nadu, India.

• The Meenakshi Temple is an old Hindu temple made for worshipping Goddess Meenakshi and her husband, Lord Shiva. Meenakshi is a form of Goddess Parvati.
• People think it was built about 2,500 years ago by a king named Kulasekara Pandyan.
• The temple area is huge, it’s about 14 acres! It has 14 tall towers called gopurams, all decorated with lots of sculptures and paintings.
• There are four main doors to get into the temple, and each one faces a different direction—north, south, east, and west.
• The main goddess, Meenakshi, is shown with three breasts. This is a symbol of her power to take care of all living things.

Fifth Famous Ancient Temple in India – Badrinath Temple

India has a lot of history and traditions, and one thing it’s famous for is its temples. These temples are really important for religion and history. One special temple is the Badrinath temple. It’s in the state of Uttarakhand in India. This old temple has been around for ages, and lots of people come to visit and pray there every year.

• The temple looks really special because it has a roof that’s shaped like a cone and made of stone slabs.
• When you enter the temple, you go through a gate called Singh Dwara, which means Lion’s gate. It’s got really detailed carvings on it.
• Inside the temple, there’s a statue of Lord Vishnu. People believe it magically appeared there by itself, without anyone making it (they call it Swayambhu).
• The river next to the temple, called Alaknanda, is thought to have special healing powers.
• The temple is surrounded by big mountains covered in snow, which makes it look really, really beautiful.

Sixth Famous Ancient Temple in India – Jagannath Temple

India is famous for its colorful culture, lots of traditions, and really old temples. One of these amazing temples is the Jagannath Temple. It’s in a city called Puri, in the state of Odisha. This temple isn’t just for praying, it’s also a symbol of how cool India’s old buildings are and a big part of its history.

• A long time ago, there was a king named Anantavarman Chodaganga Deva. He really loved Lord Vishnu, so he built the Jagannath Temple.
• It took more than 12 years to build the temple, and it was finished in 1181 CE.
• There’s a story that says King Indradyumna saw a dream where he saw Lord Vishnu’s image underwater. He asked his sculptor, Visvakarma, to make three wooden statues of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra for the temple.
• Over time, different kings, like the Gajapati Kings of Odisha and Mughal Emperor Akbar, made changes to the temple to make it even better.
• In 1692, Emperor Aurangzeb destroyed the original Jagannath Temple, but later, a king named Maharaja Krishnadeva Raya rebuilt it.

Seventh Famous Ancient Temple in India – Somnath Temple

India has a lot of cool stuff in its history, and one of the coolest things is its old temples. These temples aren’t just for praying—they’re also really important for showing off how smart people were back in the old days and for keeping traditions alive. One really special temple is the Somnath Temple. It’s in the state of Gujarat, India.

• The Somnath Temple has been knocked down and built back up seven times over the years.
• The first time it got destroyed was in 1026 AD by a king named Mahmud of Ghazni. He took all the temple’s treasures and broke the building.
• A king from Gujarat named Bhimdev I put the temple back together in 1042 AD with help from rich Hindu merchants who gave money.
• Then, two other guys named Alauddin Khilji in 1299 AD and Aurangzeb in 1706 AD wrecked the temple again.
• A king named Maharaja Bhonsle fixed it up in 1783 AD, but then some Portuguese folks wrecked it again in 1794 AD.
• Finally, a big leader in India named Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel rebuilt the temple one last time in 1951.
• The temple now looks like a mix of styles from the Chalukya and Rajput times.

Eighth Famous Ancient Temple in India – Dilwara Temple

India is a country famous for its amazing history and really old temples. One of these special places is the Dilwara Temple in Rajasthan. It’s like a precious jewel because of its beautiful architecture and peaceful atmosphere. You can find it in the Aravalli hills near Mount Abu. This temple isn’t just one building, it’s actually a group of five temples, and they’ve been around for more than 1000 years.

• The Dilwara Temple was built a long time ago, between the 11th and 13th centuries, by a group of rulers called the Chalukya dynasty.
• The temple is all about Jain Tirthankaras, who taught important stuff like being kind, peaceful, and not hurting others.
• These temples are special because they’re made completely out of white marble, and they have a mix of styles from both Hindu and Jain religions.
• If you look closely, you’ll see lots of really detailed carvings and statues that tell stories from Jain mythology.
• In addition to the temples, there’s also a museum nearby that shows off old stuff like treasures, old things, and papers about Jainism

Ninth Famous Ancient Temple in India – Khajuraho Temple

India is full of old temples and cool history, and one of the coolest temples is the Khajuraho Temple. It’s in a little town called Khajuraho in the state of Madhya Pradesh. This temple isn’t just nice to look at, it’s also really important for history and culture.

• Long ago, during a time called the Chandela dynasty, rulers built the Khajuraho Temple. They made it between the 10th and 12th centuries. Back then, the temple area was really big—about 20 square kilometers! But now, only 6 square kilometers are left. There used to be around 85 temples there, but only 25 of them are still standing today.
• In 1986, the Khajuraho temple got a big honor—it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This means that people all over the world recognized how special and important it is.
• The temples there are really famous because of the fancy carvings and sculptures on their walls. These carvings show all sorts of things about life, like religion, culture, and even love and romance.

Tenth Famous Ancient Temple in India – Kedarnath Temple

India is a place with lots of different cultures, traditions, and religions. It has some really old and amazing temples that have been around for a long time and still have lots of people visiting them every year. One of these special temples is the Kedarnath Temple. It’s in the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand. This temple is super important to Hinduism, and it’s a big symbol of how cool India’s culture is.

• The Kedarnath Temple is one of the four main places people visit during a special pilgrimage called Chota Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand.
• This temple is only open for six months every year, from around April or May to November.
• According to stories from the Hindu epic Mahabharata, the Pandavas brothers came here to say sorry to Lord Shiva after a big war called the Kurukshetra war.
• In 2013, there was a huge flood that broke part of the temple, but in 2019, it got fixed up and opened again.
• Inside the temple, there’s a big statue of a bull called Nandi. It’s made of five different metals and weighs about 1,000 kilograms.
• It’s said that a really important person named Adi Shankaracharya did deep meditation near the temple and entered a special state called samadhi.

People Also Read:

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• Nagara Style of Temples
• The World Heritage Brihadeshwara Temple

Summary – Top 10 Most Ancient Temples in India

India’s ancient temples are not just architectural wonders but symbols of cultural heritage and spiritual devotion that continue to attract visitors from all corners of the globe. Exploring these top 10 temples takes you on a journey through India’s rich history, showcasing the country’s diverse religious traditions and awe-inspiring craftsmanship.

FAQs on Top 10 Most Ancient Temples in India

What are the top 10 most ancient temples in India?

Brihadeeswarar Temple, Konark Sun Temple, Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Meenakshi Temple, Somnath Temple, Khajuraho Temple, Kedarnath Temple, Jagannath Temple, Dilwara Temple, and Badrinath Temple are a few of the most well-known ancient temples in India.

What makes these temples ancient?

Since many of these temples date back thousands of years, even centuries, they are regarded as ancient. They exhibit historical significance, cultural relevance, and old architectural styles.

Are these temples still active places of worship?

Yes, the majority of these temples are still bustling centers of worship where followers perform religious rites and give prayers. They still draw tourists and pilgrims from all over the world.

Where are these temples located?

The locations of these temples are dispersed among several Indian states, including Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttarakhand.

What are the main deities worshipped in these temples?

Depending on the location and religious customs of the temple, different deities are worshipped at different times. Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu, Goddess Meenakshi, Lord Jagannath, Lord Kedarnath, and other deities are honoured at a few temples.