13 Famous Temples You Can Visit In India

India is a country of diverse beliefs, religions, and faiths. Temples are the purest forms of spiritual energy. There are several temples in India where devotees worship the divine in different forms. Every year a large number of pilgrims and devotees, with an unshakeable faith in their hearts, embark on spiritual journeys.

It does not just cleanse their mind, body, and soul, but it is also believed to grant them salvation. If you are planning a religious and spiritual tour in India, then here is a rundown of the most visited temples in India. You must definitely consider including them in your list to engage with the divine and seek their blessings.

# Vaishno Devi Temple

So, the first temple on our list is the famous Vaishno Devi Shrine. This temple is located in the Trikuta hills in the Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir. It is situated at a height of 5200 ft. above sea level. Vaishno Devi Shrine is the holy place where Goddess Vaishnavi spent time performing vows and penances. One of the interesting facts about this temple is that it is visited by 25000 devotees every day from nooks and corners of the world. Also, read 11 Interesting facts about Jammu & Kashmir.

To reach the temple, devotees need to trek around fourteen km from the base of the hill. Arrangements of a pony ride and a helicopter are made for those who are not equipped to do the trekking.

There is no age limit to visit this shrine. Vaishno Devi Temple can be visited during all seasons of the year. It is open for darshan throughout the day except during Pooja timings. The public is not allowed to take photography in the temple.

# Amarnath Cave

Amarnath is the next popular religious place that you must visit on your tour. It has been considered a highly sacred pilgrimage destination among Hindu devotees. Amarnath cave is located in Kashmir at the height of 12000 ft above sea level. The place is worshipped to pay tribute to Lord Shiva. At this place, Lord Shiva narrated the secret of immortality “Amar Katha” to Mata Parvati. Hence, this place got the name Amarnath.

One of the lesser-known facts about the Amarnath temple is that it is amongst those places where one of the parts of the body of Goddess Sati fell. This makes this temple considered one of the eighteen Maha Shakti Peeth throughout the globe. An ice-stalagmite as lingam is built inside the cave that resembles Shiva tattva. The moment you enter the cave, your mind fills with happiness, serenity, and calmness.

However, reaching this cave isn’t very easy. You need to trek to this cave that can be arduous to elders. There are two ways to reach the holy Amarnath Cave. One of the ways is the traditional route through Pahalgam. Another route is the Baltal route that is a comparatively shortest and easier route for Amarnath Yatra. There are three options available for devotees to reach the cave, trekking, palki ride, or helicopter ride from both routes.

# Kedarnath Temple

Kedarnath is another very ancient and pious place for devotees all across the world. This temple is a part of the religious “Char Dham Yatra”. Kedarnath is one of the popular pilgrimage destinations located in Uttarakhand. This temple is also the place where renowned saint Shankaracharya’s attained his samadhi. Kedarnath temple is sited at a height of around 3,583 meters in the Uttarakhand mountains. The “Garba Griha” houses the stone lingam that is open for entry for all pilgrims. Every year people come in large numbers to take the Lord’s blessings and rub pure ghee on the idol.

Though the trek to this temple is difficult, it is a blissful experience. The right time to get darshan of the sacred Kedarnath temple is in the summer months as this temple opens for people only from May to October. It is best to avoid the rainy season as it can pose difficulties in reaching this place.

# Gangotri Temple

In Indian tradition, the Ganga river is worshipped as Mata Ganga. The Gangotri temple is dedicated to the Ganga Maa and is widely recognized as her holy origin. This temple is located at a height of 3,415 m along the serene Bhagirathi river in the Uttarkashi town of Uttarakhand. The blissful natural beauty of this place amazes people. A semi-submerged Shiv lingam can be seen in the peaceful waters of this river. It signifies the land where God Shiva intertwined Ganga in the hair. This scared shine opens up for public darshan on the day of Akshaya Tritiya in the month of April or May.

There is no age restriction to visit this temple. The best time to visit the temple is between April to November. It is advised to avoid the monsoon season. The temple is open on all seven days of the week from 6:15 am to 2:00 pm, 3:00 pm to 9:30 pm. People are not allowed to take photography in this temple.

# Yamunotri Temple

Yamunotri Temple is another incredible religious destination that you should definitely visit on your tour. This temple is situated at an altitude of 3291 meters. Yamunotri Temple is the starting place for devotees to begin their spiritual journey covering Badrinath, Gangotri, and Kedarnath. Yamuna River is the major tributary of the sacred Ganga river of the Hindu religion. In this holy shrine, Mother Yamuna is portrayed as holding the sculpture of the Goddess. One of the interesting facts about this temple is that the Yamunotri temple is made up of beautiful black marble that is rarely found in the Garhwal mountains of Uttarakhand.

This temple opens for darshan on the auspicious occasion of Akshaya Tritiya and closes right after Diwali. The Yamunotri Temple was constructed in the 19th century. It is located in the Uttarkashi town of Uttarakhand. The two fabulous hot water springs “Surya Kund” and “Gauri Kund” and the captivating beauty of the place make it a delightful experience for all the pilgrims.

# Golden Temple

The Golden Temple is located in Amritsar. It is called the “Harmandir Sahib Gurudwara”. Sri Harmandir Sahib means the “Shrine of God”. Golden temple is the first place where the holy scripture of Sikh religion, “Guru Granth Sahib” was placed. It is coated all in gold and snuggled in the center of the Sarovar. Golden temple is a retreat to all spiritual people without discriminating against anyone on the grounds of faith, race, color, region, caste, and creed. This holy shrine is open for everyone who seeks religious contentment.

There is no age bar for pilgrims to visit this temple. This temple is best to be visited throughout the year. The temple is open on all seven days of the week between 3.00 am to 10:00 pm. People are not allowed to take photography in the shrine. However, it is allowed in the temple complex.

# Meenakshi Amman Temple

Meenakshi Amman Temple is a very famous temple known for its incredible architectural work. This religious place is located in Madurai, Tamil Nadu. This holy shrine is dedicated to all the devotees of Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva. Meenakshi Amman Temple got constructed in the 12th century. It is known as one of the most ancient temples in south India. This 2500-year old temple has around 33, 000 idols and is listed among the top thirty nominations for the “New Seven Wonders of the World”. This temple is one of the sources of attaining and rejoicing in spiritual bliss. The powerful positive ambiance in the temple makes you feel an instant connection with the Divine.

There is no age restriction to visit this temple. The best time to visit the temple is between October to May. The temple is open on all seven days of the week from 5.00 am to 12:30 pm, 4:00 pm to 10.00 pm. People are not allowed to take photography in this temple.

# Shirdi Sai Temple

Shirdi Sai Baba is a popular temple located in the Shirdi town of Maharashtra. This temple is a refuge for all devotees of ancient saint Sai Baba. This temple is built in 1922 over the place of the samadhi of Shri Sai Baba. This pure soul taught valuable teachings of God, like charity, patience, love, and forgiveness. This temple is one of the highly visited shrines in Maharashtra where devotees from all backgrounds and faiths come to pay their tribute and take ashes as a blessing. The fire that was lit by Sai Baba has been kept burning till today.

There is no age restriction to visit this temple. This temple can be visited throughout the year. The temple is open on all seven days of the week from 7.00 am to 1.30 pm, 4:00 pm to 10.00 pm. People are not allowed to take photography in this temple.

# Shani Shingnapur Temple

Shani Shingnapur Temple is one of the most noted temples in Maharashtra. In ancient Hindu mythology, this temple is devoted to the son of Surya Dev, Lord Shani Dev. Shani is among the nine “Navagraha” and is renowned as the Lord of Justice. Shani Shingnapur Temple houses a 5 and a half ft. high black stone, that is an embodiment of the Lord placed in the open air. This sacred shrine is believed to be one of the humblest Hindu temples of Western India. One of the interesting facts about this village is the houses that do not have a door or lock. Due to the blessing of Lord Shani Dev, there have never been any incidences of theft and stealing.

There is no age restriction for pilgrims to visit this temple. The best time to visit the temple is between July to August. The temple is open on all seven days of the week from 5.00 am to 11.00 pm. People are not allowed to take photography in this temple.

# Brahma Temple

Pushkar has been recognized as one of the most pious cities in the country. This city houses the famous Brahma temple and is also revered as the creator of the universe. Brahma temple is amongst the few temples dedicated to the Lord Brahma in India. According to the legends and ancient scriptures, it is also believed that the sacred “Pushkar Lake” was built by the petals of the lotus of Lord Brahma.

There is no age limit to visit this temple. This temple can be visited throughout the year. The temple is open on all seven days of the week throughout the day. People are not allowed to take photography in this temple.

# Kaal Bhairav Temple

Kaal Bhairav Temple is a popular temple located in the land overflowing with spirituality, Varanasi. This temple is located in the heart of Uttar Pradesh state and is known to be one of the most primitive Lord Shiva shrines in Varanasi. This place amazes you with the silver-faced sculpture of Lord Shiva who is portrayed in a fierce form, “Kaal Bhairav”. Even death gets scared just by looking at this site. This grand idol is decorated with a garland of skulls and delicate peacock feathers.

There is no age restriction to visit this temple. The best time to visit the temple is throughout the year. The temple is open on all seven days of the week between 6.00 am to 9.00 pm. People are not allowed to take photography in this temple.

# Badrinath Temple

People come to this temple in huge numbers to pay their respect to Lord Vishnu who is worshipped in the form of Badrinath. This temple is situated on the Himalayan mountain range on the banks of the Alaknanda river in Uttarakhand. This temple is listed as one of the ancient 108 temples devoted to Lord Vishnu. This holy shrine is also included as a significant part of the religious tour “Char Dham Yatra”. Badrinath temple is a blessing of the supreme Almighty.

There is no age bar to visit this temple. The best time to visit the temple is between May to October. It is best to avoid coming to the place in the monsoon season. The temple is open on all seven days of the week between 4.00 am to 12.00 pm and 3.00 am to 9.00 pm. People are not allowed to take photography in this temple.

# Baijnath Temple

Located in the foggy foothills at an altitude of 3,707 feet, the Baijnath shrine is a very famous temple in Himachal Pradesh. It is one of the places where devotees gather to worship Lord Shiva. This is a hundred 100 years old temple where Baijnath spent time worshipping Lord Baidyanath, who is known to be the “Lord of all Physicians”. This spectacular temple honors Ravana. Unlike places where effigies of Ravana get demolished, this place preserves the effigies of Ravana on Dussheradue to the belief that the Demon King “Ravana of Lanka” was the major disciple of Lord Shiva. The Baijnath temple is located in the place where the demon king Ravana positioned Lord Shiva in the lingam form. This serene place is known to amplify spiritual bliss.

There is no age limit for devotees to visit this temple. The best time to visit the temple is throughout the year. However, it is advised to avoid visiting in the monsoon season. The temple is open on all seven days of the week between 6.00 am to 9.00 pm. People are not allowed to take photography in this temple.