India is one of the oldest countries in the world with a long history. It has many beliefs, traditions, and stories about different religions. You can find beautiful temples in almost every part of the country. Each temple has its own special story. Long ago, kings in India supported artists and builders to create amazing temples. Some of these famous and beautiful temples are important to know, especially for students studying for exams.
Important Temples and Their Locations:
| Temple Name | Location (City/State) | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Tirupati Balaji (Venkateswara Temple) | Tirumala, Andhra Pradesh | One of the richest and most visited temples |
| Jagannath Temple | Puri, Odisha | Famous for the annual Rath Yatra |
| Somnath Temple | Prabhas Patan, Gujarat | One of the twelve Jyotirlinga shrines |
| Kedarnath Temple | Kedarnath, Uttarakhand | Part of the Char Dham Yatra, dedicated to Shiva |
| Badrinath Temple | Badrinath, Uttarakhand | Part of Char Dham, dedicated to Vishnu |
| Meenakshi Temple | Madurai, Tamil Nadu | Renowned for its stunning architecture |
| Vaishno Devi Temple | Katra, Jammu & Kashmir | One of the most revered pilgrimages for Hindus |
| Ramanathaswamy Temple | Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu | Famous Jyotirlinga and part of Char Dham |
| Kashi Vishwanath Temple | Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh | Dedicated to Lord Shiva, situated on Ganges |
| Golden Temple (Harmandir Sahib) | Amritsar, Punjab | Holiest site in Sikhism |
| Brihadeeswarar Temple | Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu | UNESCO World Heritage Site, Dravidian architecture |
| Lingaraj Temple | Bhubaneswar, Odisha | Dedicated to Lord Shiva, ancient architecture |
| Mahabodhi Temple | Bodh Gaya, Bihar | A significant Buddhist pilgrimage site |
| Dwarkadhish Temple | Dwarka, Gujarat | One of the Char Dham, dedicated to Lord Krishna |
| Akshardham Temple | Delhi | Known for its magnificent architecture |
| Shirdi Sai Baba Temple | Shirdi, Maharashtra | Dedicated to Sai Baba, attracts pilgrims worldwide |
| Kailasanathar Temple | Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu | Renowned for its historical architecture |
| Amarnath Cave Temple | Jammu & Kashmir | Famous for the naturally formed ice Shivlinga |
| Sun Temple | Konark, Odisha | Famous for its unique chariot-shaped structure |
| Kamakhya Temple | Guwahati, Assam | Major center for Tantric worship |
Key Notes for Exams:
- Char Dham: Badrinath, Dwarka, Puri, and Rameswaram.
- Jyotirlinga Temples: Includes Somnath, Kedarnath, Rameswaram, and Kashi Vishwanath.
- UNESCO Sites: Brihadeeswarar Temple and Mahabodhi Temple.
15 Important FAQs on Temples and Their Locations
- Q1: Which temple is known as the “Golden Temple” of India?
A: The Golden Temple (Harmandir Sahib) is located in Amritsar, Punjab, and is a sacred place for Sikhs. - Q2: Where is the Meenakshi Temple located?
A: The Meenakshi Temple is located in Madurai, Tamil Nadu. It is dedicated to Goddess Meenakshi (Parvati) and Lord Sundareshwar (Shiva). - Q3: Which temple is associated with the famous Rath Yatra?
A: The Jagannath Temple in Puri, Odisha is associated with the Rath Yatra, where deities are taken out in chariots. - Q4: Where is the Brihadeeswarar Temple located?
A: The Brihadeeswarar Temple is located in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. - Q5: Which temple is the wealthiest temple in India?
A: The Tirupati Balaji Temple in Tirumala, Andhra Pradesh is one of the wealthiest temples in India. - Q6: Which temple is a famous cave shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva and is known for the ice Shivlinga?
A: The Amarnath Cave Temple in Anantnag, Jammu & Kashmir is famous for its natural ice Shivlinga. - Q7: Where is the Sun Temple located, and what makes it special?
A: The Sun Temple is located in Konark, Odisha, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its chariot-shaped architecture. - Q8: Name the four temples of the Char Dham Yatra.
A: The four temples of Char Dham are:- Badrinath (Uttarakhand)
- Kedarnath (Uttarakhand)
- Rameshwaram (Tamil Nadu)
- Jagannath (Puri, Odisha)
- Q9: Which temple is located on an island in Tamil Nadu and is part of the Char Dham?
A: The Rameshwaram Temple in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu is located on an island and is one of the Char Dham pilgrimage sites. - Q10: Which temple is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas and is situated on the Arabian Sea coast?
A: The Somnath Temple in Veraval, Gujarat is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas and is located on the Arabian Sea coast. - Q11: Where is the Kamakhya Temple located, and why is it famous?
A: The Kamakhya Temple is located in Guwahati, Assam, and is one of the 51 Shakti Peethas, dedicated to Goddess Kamakhya. - Q12: Which temple in India is known as the “Lingaraj Temple”?
A: The Lingaraj Temple is located in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. - Q13: In which state is the Vaishno Devi Temple located?
A: The Vaishno Devi Temple is located in Katra, Jammu & Kashmir and is one of the most revered Shakti Peethas. - Q14: Which temple is located in Varanasi and is one of the most famous Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva?
A: The Kashi Vishwanath Temple is located in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, and is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva. - Q15: Name two temples in India that are recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
A:- Brihadeeswarar Temple (Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu)
- Sun Temple (Konark, Odisha)
