10 Famous Temples To Visit In South India With Rich History
South Indian monuments have stood tall and stately since ancient times, creating a breathtaking spectacle and conveying past stories with a special passion. The peaceful climate, stunning beaches, and expansive backwaters of southern India are why many people travel there. However, it should not dissuade you from visiting the region’s renowned temples which are very different from those in North India in terms of architecture. South Indian historical temples are more than just places of worship; they are also a wonderful illustration of how different dynasties throughout history have influenced architectural styles.
Religious pilgrimages were the only kind of tourism offered in India for hundreds of years. Millions of pilgrims still journey to these wonderful, well-known temples in South India each year in search of moksha and enlightenment. Numerous scholars agree that the temples in South India are among the world’s best examples of religious architecture.
Top South Indian historical temples
Many of the most well-known temples in South India are often regarded as among the best examples of religious architecture ever built. The powerful and determined spiritual purpose for which these temples were erected ensured their beauty would endure time. Given below are a few examples:
1. Srirangam Temple, Trichy
The Sri Ranganathswamy Temple at Srirangam is the most revered Hindu Temple in South India. The island city of Tiruchirappalli, Tamilnadu, is home to the revered Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, also known by its former name, Thiruvarangam. Srivaishnavites, or devotees of the Hindu god Vishnu, consider the Temple a holy site. The story goes that Lord Ramchandra gave Ravan’s brother, Vibhisana, an idol of Vishnu, to transport him back to Lanka. While returning to Lanka, Vibhisana stumbled across the picturesque town of Srirangam on the banks of the Kaveri River.
The Car Festival in Srirangam takes place in the Tamil month of Chithiral. After the celebrations, Lord Vishnu reportedly told Vibhisana that he preferred Srirangam over Lanka, but he swore he would bless Vibhisana by keeping his back to the island of Lanka. This is why every Vishnu statue in every Temple points South. This Hindu Temple in southern India is the largest structure in use today. It is also the most important of Lord Vishnu’s eight self-created temples (Swayam Vyakta Kshetra). Seven rings of walls encircle the temple, and twenty-one towers called Gopurams rise above them. Gold leaf covers every inch of one of the Gopurams.
2. Kanchipuram Temples
One of Tamil Nadu’s most well-known cities is Kanchipuram. Every single temple in Kanchipuram is a stunning work of art. Some of Kanchipuram’s most respected temples are the Varadaraja Perumal Temple, the Kamakshi Amman Temple, and the Ekambareswarar Temple.
3. Brihadeeswarar Temple, Thanjavur
One of the most impressive sights in all of Tamil Nadu is the Brihadeeswarar temple in Thanjavur. This is the biggest Temple in India, often called “Thanjavur Periya Kovil.” Because of its remarkable design, it is considered among India’s finest temples. The Lord Shiva shrine dates back a thousand years. Rajaraja Chola I, emperor of the Chola Empire, commissioned its construction in 1010 CE. The Temple is a shining example of the Cholas’ superior architectural prowess. The Temple’s construction required over 130,000 tonnes of stone. The Vimana (or “tower”) stands at an unprecedented 216 feet in height.
One of the biggest sculptures of its type, Nandi (Lord Shiva’s holy bull), is 16 feet in length and 13 feet in height and is carved from a single stone. Brihadeeshwarar is a temple complex in India entirely devoted to Shiva statues. The gigantic three-eyed statue of Lord Shiva is a work of art. The temple grounds are decorated with statues of Lord Shiva in his 108 dancing stance and 250 lingams.
4. Kumari Amman temple, Kanyakumari
Pandya monarchs in the eighth century commissioned the original construction of the Temple, which was subsequently restored by the dynasties of Vijayanagar, Nayaka, and Chola. Banasura, the demon king, is worshipped at the Goddess Kanyakumari temple because he is said to have defeated evil. The goddesses went through extensive rituals of penance to secure Lord Shiva’s marriage proposal.
5. Padmanabhaswamy Temple
The city of Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala is home to this sacred structure. Kerala and Tamil Nadu architects worked in precise harmony to create this building. Its towering walls and Dravidian-style Gopuram date to the 16th century, making it reminiscent of temples in the neighboring states of Tamil Nadu.
6. Aihole, Karnataka
Another gem from the Middle Ages, Aihole, is about 10 km from Pattadakal. The Buddhist, Hindu, and Jain temples in this South Indian complex date from the 6th to the 12th century CE.
7. Ramaswamy Temple, Kumbakonam
One of the most sacred Shri Ram temples in all of India is said to be the Ramaswamy Temple in Kumbakonam. The Ramaswamy temple at Thanjavur was constructed in the sixteenth century by Achutha Nayaka. The devout Christian has carefully enshrined his most precious possession.
8. Hampi’s Vitthala Temple
The Vitthala temple, dedicated to Vishnu, is one of several beautiful temples in Vijayanagara, an ancient city known for its elaborate architecture and intricate sculptures. People go to see the singing pillars and the massive monolithic stone chariot.
9. Chidambaram
Another ancient marvel, the Chidambaram temple, depicts Lord Shiva engaging in a cosmic dance. Unlike others dedicated to Lord Shiva, grounded in Sanskrit texts, this temple adheres to the Vedic traditions codified by the sage Patanjali. Fire is used in Vedic ceremonies. The nearby Pichavaram mangroves provide a spiritual dimension to a fascinating day excursion.
10. Naganathaswamy Temple, Thanjavur
The Naganathaswamy Temple is a Navagraha Temple and one of the most well-known in Tamil Nadu. To get rid of Rahu Doshas, people go from all across the nation to this temple.
This is the sole temple dedicated to Lord Rahu, where he is worshiped in his human form, while in all other temples, he is shown as a snake. It is said that Lord Rahu came to this temple on Shivaratri to atone for breaking a rishi’s curse.
Conclusion
They are well known in India and draw visitors from all around the world. These South Indian historical temples’ aesthetic value and high level of artisanship are testament to the talented craftspeople that made them.
