Here is a categorized list of some of the most famous temples in India, highlighting their significance and unique attributes:
Temples Dedicated to Lord Shiva
- Kashi Vishwanath Temple (Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh)
- One of the 12 Jyotirlingas, located on the banks of the Ganga.
- Somnath Temple (Gujarat)
- First among the 12 Jyotirlingas, known for its rich history and reconstruction.
- Kedarnath Temple (Uttarakhand)
- Part of the Char Dham Yatra, located in the Himalayas.
- Ramanathaswamy Temple (Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu)
- Known for its longest temple corridor in the world.
- Mahakaleshwar Temple (Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh)
- Famous for the Bhasma Aarti and its Jyotirlinga status.
Temples Dedicated to Lord Vishnu
- Tirupati Balaji Temple (Tirumala, Andhra Pradesh)
- One of the wealthiest temples in India, attracting millions annually.
- Badrinath Temple (Uttarakhand)
- Part of the Char Dham and Chota Char Dham Yatras.
- Padmanabhaswamy Temple (Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala)
- Known for its immense wealth and architectural beauty.
- Jagannath Temple (Puri, Odisha)
- Part of the Char Dham, famous for the annual Rath Yatra.
- Dwarkadhish Temple (Dwarka, Gujarat)
- One of the Char Dham, dedicated to Lord Krishna.
Temples Dedicated to Goddess Durga/Parvati
- Vaishno Devi Temple (Katra, Jammu & Kashmir)
- Situated in the Trikuta Hills, a revered Shakti Peetha.
- Kamakhya Temple (Guwahati, Assam)
- Associated with the Tantric traditions and Shakti worship.
- Meenakshi Amman Temple (Madurai, Tamil Nadu)
- An architectural marvel dedicated to Goddess Meenakshi.
- Jwala Ji Temple (Kangra, Himachal Pradesh)
- Known for its eternal flame.
- Maa Tara Tarini Temple (Ganjam, Odisha)
- One of the oldest Shakti Peethas in India.
Temples Dedicated to Lord Krishna
- Krishna Janmabhoomi Temple (Mathura, Uttar Pradesh)
- Believed to be the birthplace of Lord Krishna.
- Banke Bihari Temple (Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh)
- Known for its vibrant celebrations of Holi and Janmashtami.
- Dwarkadhish Temple (Dwarka, Gujarat)
- Dedicated to Lord Krishna as the king of Dwarka.
- ISKCON Temple (Multiple Locations)
- Spread across India, promoting Krishna consciousness.
Temples Dedicated to Other Deities
- Sun Temple (Konark, Odisha)
- A UNESCO World Heritage Site, shaped like a chariot.
- Golden Temple (Amritsar, Punjab)
- A spiritual site for Sikhism but visited by people of all faiths.
- Lotus Temple (Delhi)
- A Bahá'í House of Worship, known for its flower-like structure.
- Akshardham Temple (Delhi and Gujarat)
- Famous for its modern architecture and cultural exhibitions.
- Lingaraja Temple (Bhubaneswar, Odisha)
- A masterpiece of Kalinga architecture, dedicated to Lord Shiva.
Ancient and Architecturally Unique Temples
- Khajuraho Temples (Madhya Pradesh)
- Known for intricate carvings and erotic sculptures.
- Brihadeeswarar Temple (Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu)
- A UNESCO World Heritage Site, built by the Chola dynasty.
- Virupaksha Temple (Hampi, Karnataka)
- A part of the UNESCO World Heritage site in Hampi.
- Dilwara Temples (Mount Abu, Rajasthan)
- Known for their exquisite marble work, dedicated to Jain Tirthankaras.
- Shore Temple (Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu)
- A UNESCO World Heritage site, overlooking the Bay of Bengal.
Pilgrimage Circuits
- Char Dham Yatra: Badrinath, Dwarka, Puri, and Rameswaram.
- Chota Char Dham Yatra: Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath.
- Sapta Moksha Puris: Varanasi, Ayodhya, Mathura, Haridwar, Kanchipuram, Ujjain, and Dwarka.
- Shakti Peethas: Spread across India, including Kamakhya, Vaishno Devi, and Kalighat temples.