Most beautiful temple in India

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Lingaraj temple, Bhubaneshwar : Lingaraj temple is dedicated to Shiva and is a magnificent example of the temple architecture of Orissa. The crowning achievement of the architect is the design of the graceful contour of its towering Gandi. The temple is a combination of four structures, all in the same axial alignment - Deul, Jagamohana, Nata Madira and Bhoga mandapa, the last two being subsequent additions.

The complex is enclosed by a massive compound wall pierced by an imposing portal on the east and two secondary gates on the north and south. There are 150 subsidiary shrines within the Lingaraj complex. Just north of this temple is the sacred lake Bindu sagar with a tiny island in the centre, where there are many lesser shrines. Here, once in a year, Lingaraj himself is brought for ritual ablutions.

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Khajuraho temples, Madhya Pradesh : The architecture of Khajuraho temple is different from other temples and is located not in a customary enclosure but stand on a masonary platform. Each of the major compartments has its own roof, grouped in a way that the highest is in the centre and the lowest over the portico. The temples have three main compartments, the entrance (ardha mandapa), asembly hall (mandapa), and an inner sanctum (garbhagriha).

Kandariya Mahadeo is the main temple with an exqusitely carved entrance arch with a multitude of themes, celestial beings, lovers, serenading musicians - movements captured in stone and frozen in time. The other temples in the group are those dedicated to Kali, the Sun god and Brahma. Chaturbhuj temple has a massive, intricately carved image of Vishnu.

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Madurai Meenakshi temple, Tamil Nadu : Pandyas settled at Madurai and their empire last from 5 c BC to 11 c AD . The great Madurai temple, dedicated to Sundaresvara and his wife Meenakshi, 260 m long and 229 m broad, with nine gopurams, one of which is 47 m high. Arya Nayak (sent as the ruler of Madurai by Vijayanagar empire) built the thousand pillared hall in about 1550. The tank is surrounded by arcades and is very beautiful. Vishvanath built the vimana or central shrine in about 1560. Madurai is 500 km from Chennai and is well connected by rail.

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Mahabodhi temple, Bodh Gaya : This is one of the four main Buddhist pilgrim centres, others are at Lumbini (Nepal), Sarnath and Kushinagar. At Lumbini, Siddhartha was born, at Sarnath, near Varanasi, he preached the first sermon and at Kushinagar, near Gorakhpur he attained Mahaparinirvana.

This ancient temple has a 46 m high tower and a gilded image of Buddha, believed to have been raised by emperor Ashoka. The temple has a beautiful stone railing around it. Depicted on the walls of the temple are scenes from the life of Buddha. A museum in the vicinity has gold, bronze and stone images of the Buddha. The canopy structure of this temple is very attractive and different from temples usually found in north India. To manitain balance of the main tower, there are four smaller towers. The Mahabodhi temple has a huge idol of the Buddha in the 'bhumisparsa mudra'. The temple is surrounded by small pillars and delicate lattice work.

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Rajgir : It is a major Buddhist pilgrim centre in Bihar and was the venue of the first Buddhist council held immediately after the nirvana of the Buddha during the time of King Ajatshatru. The ruins excavated has shrines, stupas and monasteries. About 10 km from the Rajgir station is Gridhakuta (Vulture's peak), the hill from where Buddha delivered many sermons, after he attained enlightenment. To mark the holy spot at the Gridhakuta hills, there stands today the 38 m high Vishwa shanti stupa. The stupa can be reached by a chairlift, a 15 minute round trip offreing panoramic views.

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Puri Rath Yatra : During the Rath Yatra (Car festival), the three deities of Jagannath, Balbhadra and Subhadra with Sudarshan are brought out of the main temple and taken to Gundicha temple for a week's visit in three beautifully decorated chariots. After the deities are installed on their respective chariots, the traditional king of Puri sweeps the chariots with a golden broom, which is known as Chhera Pahanra. The Chariots are pulled by thousands of devotees to Gundicha temple, 3 km away. Devotees stay in the temple for a week and on Ashadha Shukla Dashmi (June - July), the return journey of the deities starts from Gundicha temple to the main temple.

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Somnath temple : Situated 80 km from Junagadh in Gujrat is one of the 12 jyotirlingas in India. Legend has it that the shore temple was first built in gold by Somraj, the moon god, and then in silver by Ravana. Krishna built it in wood and finally it was king Bhimdev Solanki who built it in stone in the 10 th century. It was one of the richest tenples and tempted by its riches, Mahmud of Ghazni invaded it and carried away camel loads of jewels and gold in 1024 AD.

Somnath was destroyed six times and rebuilt on every occasion. Shivratri (March) and Kartik Pournima (Nov/Dec) are mainly celebrated here. Suraj mandir (Sun temple) and a museum are nearby.

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Srirangam temple, Tiruchirapalli : The largest temple complex (156 acre) in India with seven concentric walls (prakaras) and 21 gopurams (towers). The temple dedicated to Vishnu was constructed between 14 to 17 th century and has a grand hall of 1000 beautifully sculptured pillars. There are magnificent towers in all prakaras providing a unique sight to any visitor. The temple has a 73 m high stupendous 13 tiered Rajagopuram built at the southern rampart. Tiruchirapalli or Trichy in short is 56 km from Thanjavur and is on the banks of river Cauvery. Other places to visit are Rock fort temple and Cathedral church.

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Lepakshi temple, Andhra Pradesh : Lepakshi is a treasure trove for historians and Inidan art connoisseurs. The temple on the hillock of Kurmasaila is 15 km from Hindupur railway station (Bangalore line). The temple has three shrines dedicated to Shiva, Vishnu and Virabhadra. A monolithic Nagalinga, the largest of its kind in India and Ganesha in the
second interior court attract visitors with their absolute magnitude and perfection.

The temple's interior has intricately carved sculptures on each of the granite pillars, which depict drummers, dancers and divine musicians. Artistically, this temple is known for its paintings. A wonderful granite bull of gigantic dimensions (largest in South India) placed at a short distance from the temple's enclosure is one of the tourist attractions.

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Shore temple, Mahabalipuram : The 17 th century shore temple is dedicated to Shiva and Vishnu. The two vimanas, Ksatriyasimheswara facing east and the smaller Rajasimheswara facing west are made in the Pallava era. Unlike the rock cut srtuctures in Mahabalipuram this is a structural temple, built out of hard blackish leptynite. The shrines have a
square lower storey and a pyramidal superstructure. There arer eight manadapams including that of Krishna. The temple is 60 km from Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

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Bishnupur temple, West Bengal : The Madamohan temple is adorned with musicians playing various instruments. The temples have sloping roofs, four sides and curved cornices. Bishnupur is famous for Baluchari sarees, couch shell and metal wares. The Panchamuna village is the home of famous Bankura terracotta horses, which adorns homes not only in India but in Europe and America as well. The terracotta horses are noted for their long graceful neckline, expressive eyes and exqusite equestrian postures make them a favourite souvenir.

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Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh : The sacred Venkateswara temple, major Hindu pilgrim centre, is on the Tirumala hill adjoining it. The 8 th century temple is the jewel in the crown of ancient worship in South India. Dedicated to Venkateswara or Balaji, this majestic temple is located on a range of the eastern ghats called the Seven hills. The image of the Balaji has the attributes of both Vishnu and Shiva.

Tirumala hill is 985 m ASL and is 10.33 sq miles in area. Tirupati is the richest temple in the world (Gold & diamonds worth Rs. 500 Cr.), which attracts pilgrims from all over the country. Pilgrims have to stand in line for hours to obtain a glimpse of the presiding deity for a fleeting seconds. Traditionally the pilgrims here get their heads shaved. The temple with its soaring gopurams and gilded vimana is a fine example of Dravidian architecture.

Sri Venkateshwara University museum, Chandagiri fort (12 km from Tirupati), Kailasanathakona waterfalls (44 km) are other attractions.

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Amarnath cave

A visit to Amarnath cave leaves an indelible mark in the hearts of the pilgrims. This cave situated on the narrow openings between the mountains of Lidder valley is on a height on 3,888 m. The yatra can begin either from Pahalgam near Srinagar or from Baltal where Amarnath is 44.8 km or 15 km respectively. Pahalgam is 96 km from Srinagar. From Pahalgam the journey to Amarnath is 5 days. The treks are generally during Shravan (July-August).

The ice lingam will be there upto mid June (12 feet) before the official starting of the pilgrimmage. By end of June it melts in full and the Yatra begins. Devout pilgrims and trekkers will be able to view the high ice Shiv lingam, which waxes and wanes with moon.

The trek will be a memorable experience in one's life because of the tasty free unlimited food variety supplied with love at different locations on the route (langarwallahs).

According to our legends Shiva narrated to Parvati the secret of creation, in the caves of Amarnath. Without their knowledge a pair of mating doves eavesdropped on their dialogue. Having learnt it, they are reborn again and again, and have made this cave their eternal abode. These doves have been spotted by many trekkers on their way.

This incredible shrine is flocked with devotees to worship the image of Shiva, in the lingam form. The lingam is formed naturally of an ice- stalagmite which waxes and wanes with the moon. Beside it are two more splendid ice-lingams that of Parvati and their son Ganesha.

The cave is accessible only during the period of July and August and at that time a pure-white lingam comes into being, in the caves. It is a mystic experience to see water droplets trickling slowly from the top of the caves and freeze into ice when they fall. First a solid base is formed and then the lingam begins to rise on it. On Purnima it slowly acquires full form. According to the legends it is on that day, when Lord Shiva revealed the secrets of life to the beautiful daughter of Himalayas, Parvati.

It is incredible, how the ice-lingam is formed on the ice-base and how on the Purnima day it attains its full formation. The pair of pigeons appearing on the scene add to the mystery and makes anyone believe that these occurences are not merely coincidental.

According to an event tales, once a Muslim shepherd named Buta Malik was given a sack of coal by sadhu, when he reached home the sack contained gold. static, when he rushed to thank the Sadhu, he discovered a cave at their place of meeting, which later become a place of pilgrimage for the believers. The descendants of Malik are given a percentage of donations even today while the remaining goes to the trust managing the shrine.

Another legend depicts that when Kashyap Reshi drained Kashmir Valley of water, which was once believed to have been a vast lake, the cave and the lingam. It was after this that the Amarnath became Shivas abode and a pilgrimage centre.

AMARNATH (3900 m) - Hindu pilgrim centre, cave temple with ice Shiv lingam which waxes and wanes with moon, Pahalgam to Chandanwari by jeep, trek to Panchtarani via Sheshnag and then to cave, return to Baltal in 4 days (60 km); Sheshnag - lake, glaciers via trek from Pahalgam (20 km). Season : July to Sept.

BALTAL (20 km from Sonmarg) - Base camp for trekking to Amarnath cave (15*2 km, in a day), steep route (10 hour trek).

There is Helicopter service to the cave from Baltal during the pilgrim season. More than 4 lakh pilgrims visit the cave during the two month season.

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Kedarnath is the most important Shiv temple in the Himalayas. Kedarnath is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva, and one of the Panch Kedars and is located at the source of the river Mandakini.

According to mythology the deity of Kedarnath temple is identified with the rump of a bull, a form assumed by Lord Shiva, when eluding the Pandavas, who had come to repent for killing their kith and kin, during the battle of Kurukshetra . When the Pandavas followed him to the site, he dived into the ground leaving behind him a hump on the surface. This conical projection is worshipped as the idol in the temple.

The remaining parts of the body are worshipped at four other sites: -
the arms (Bahu) at Tungnath, mouth (mukh) at Rudranath, navel (nabhi) at Madmaheshwar and hair (jata) at Kalpeshwar. These five shrines collectively are known as the Panch Kedar.

The Pandavas are given credit for building the temple of Kedarnath. The statue of Nandi, the divine bull of Shiva, stands at the entrance of the temple. The wall inside the temple, is exquisitely carved with images, and the temple houses a shiva lingam, which is worshipped by hordes of pilgrims. What is truly unique about the lingam is that it is pyramidal.

As winter dawns in the month of November, the holy statue of Lord Shiva, is carried down from Garhwal (Kedarkhand) to Ukhnimath, and is reinstated at Kedarnath, in the first week of May. It is at this time, that the doors of the temple are thrown open to pilgrims, who flock from all parts of India, for a holy pilgrimage.

Kedarnath is situated in very scenic locales and is enveloped by lofty, snow-covered mountains and grassy meadows covering the valleys. The Kedar dome peak, which can be seen from great distance, is located immediately behind the temple. The sight of the temple and it's perpetually snowed landscape will take your breath away.

KEDARNATH - Hindu pilgrim centre near Badrinath (180 km, 3584 m, 13 km trek from Gaurikund - hot springs, May to Oct), jyotirlinga, Shankaracharya samadhi, Chaukamba glacier (2 km), Vasuki tal lake (4200m, 5 km , 2 km in dia.), trekking, wild flowers.

Location : Uttranchal, India

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Girnar hills, Junagarh, Gujrat at a height of 1100m 8000 steps. The five peaks of Girnar are topped by 866 intricately carved stone temples. Visitors must climb 5,500 steps to reach the top of the hill, so it is best to start early in the morning (before 6 am). It is a difficult two-hour climb. Hundreds of people climb this hill every day. There are many stalls selling cold drinks along the way, but none selling bottled water, so bring your own. There are buses from downtown (near the post office) or from the local bus stand (hourly, Rs 3, 4km, buses #3 and #4) to the foot of the hill.