If you have been having an urge of devotion and you are feeling like visiting Indian temples, then you can plan a trip to South India. According to many tourists and traveller’s, when it comes to touring Indian temples, there is nothing that can beat the glory of the ones situated in the southern part of the country. This region boasts of some of the most magnificent religious monuments ever.
South Indian temples have unique characteristics. They are tall, beautifully planned and have a distinct architecture that sets them apart from others in the rest of the country. If you take a South India temple tour, you will surely get to see how beautiful these structures of Dravidian architecture are. Not just Dravidian, a lot of other architectural styles like Vijayanagaramay be seen reflecting from these temples standing majestically in the south of India.
Here are some of the most prominent temples in South India you must visit –
- The Virupaksha Temple – This temple is a glorious gift to the Indians from the Vijayanagara Empire. Situated at the bank of the river Tungabhadra, the temple is basically dedicated to Lord Shiva. It has beautiful carvings on its walls and has been through modifications done by different rulers. The most noteworthy aspect is – it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- The Meenakshi Temple – The temple is dedicated to Devi Parvati and her better half Lord Shiva and is another important temple you can pay a visit at. The beauty of the temple is again its architecture; because of which, the temple was once among the top 30 nominees for the 7 wonders of the World. Just beside the temple, you can see the beautiful river Vaigai flowing with grace.
- The Venkateswara Temple –The Venkateswara Temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and is considered to be one of the oldest temples in South India. It is believed that the construction of the temple started around 300 AD. The temple is located at the hill town named Tirumala in Andhra Pradesh and is one of the most famous temples in India.
- Ramanathaswami Temple–If you ever visit Rameswaram Island in Tamil Nadu, you should never miss out on the Ramanathaswami temple. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is one of the 12 sacred Jyotirlinga Temples in the Country. Considered one among the “Char Dhams,” the temple has a folklore connected to it. It is said that Lord Rama used to offer his prayers to Lord Shiva in this temple.
- Airavateswara Temple – Another UNESCO World Heritage Site, Airavateswara Temple is a beautiful example of Dravidian architecture. The exquisite stone carvings on the walls of the temple make it a unique one. The name of the temple, however, is peculiar and is after the elephant of IndraDev, Airavata. It is said that Airavata used to pray to Lord Shiva in this temple and, hence, this name.
The best thing about South Indian temples is that they all are unique in their own ways and are extremely beautiful. If you are ever visiting South India, never forget to add these temples to your travel itinerary.
