In quiet corners of ancient lands, where time feels still, people have always looked for ways to connect with the divine. Across history, they have built incredible temples—places where heaven and earth meet. Imagine walking through a doorway and suddenly feeling like you have entered another time altogether. That is what happens when you visit the ancient temples of India.
India, with its long history and rich mix of cultures, is home to some of the most beautiful temples. From mountain peaks to coastal shores, these temples are proof of strong faith and stunning architecture. What makes these temples so fascinating is not just their age or their beautiful carvings. It is how they still matter to people today.
As we explore some of the most ancient temples of India, we will discover how history, art, and faith all come together in ways that still amaze us.
Also Read: 7 Incredible Places To Celebrate krishna janmashtami 2025 In India!
Badrinath Temple – Uttarakhand
Badrinath Temple is one of the most sacred pilgrimage sites in India and part of the Char Dham Yatra. Located at more than 10000 feet high in the Himalayas Badrinath Temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The temple is known for its bright, colourful entrance called the Singhdwar and its peaceful surroundings.
According to stories, the place got its name when Goddess Lakshmi turned into a Badri tree to protect Lord Vishnu while he was meditating.
The temple has three parts Garbha Griha – where the main idol of Lord Badrinath sits, Darshan Mandap – where rituals are performed, and Sabha Mandap – where pilgrims gather. Inside, it houses not just Lord Vishnu (Badrinarayan) but also idols of other gods and saints like Nar, Narayan, Lakshmi, and Adi Shankara.
The main idol of Lord Badrinath is a black stone statue, believed to be self-manifested. Badrinath is also famous for its hot water spring, Tapt Kund, believed to have healing properties.
Travel Info
- Location: Chamoli, Garhwal, Uttarakhand
- Nearest Railway Station: Rishikesh (295 km)
- Nearest Airport: Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun (314 km)
- By Road: It is well connected by NH-58 from major towns like Rishikesh, Haridwar, and Dehradun.
- Best time to visit: May to October
- Temple timings: 4:30 AM – 1:00 PM & 4:00 PM – 9:00 PM (Monday to Sunday
Also Read: Jim Corbett National Park 2025: A Complete Guide to India’s Oldest Tiger Reserve!
Konark Sun Temple – Odisha
The Konark Sun Temple near Puri in Odisha is one of the most famous ancient temples in India and a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is shaped like a giant chariot for the Sun God, with seven stone horses pulling it. The temple has three Sun God statues that catch sunlight at different times of day.
The Kalinga-style architecture is a true marvel of temple architecture in India, with intricate carvings of animals, warriors, and mythical creatures. One unique feature of this temple is its alignment with the sun — rays of sunlight once struck the main idol through a diamond at the top, creating a dazzling sight. At the entrance, there are massive stone lions that guard the temple.
The walls have many carvings of people, animals, and battle scenes. Konark is part of the Golden Triangle of Odisha, along with Jagannath Temple in Puri and Bhubaneswar. If you want to explore this majestic site, September to March is the best time to visit this temple.
Loading Packages...Vital Info
- Location: Konark, Odisha
- Nearest Railway Station: Puri (35 km)
- Nearest Airport: Bhubaneswar (65 km)
- By Road: Well-connected by buses and taxis from Puri and Bhubaneswar.
- Best time to visit: September to March (to avoid humid summers)
- Temple timings: 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM (Open all days)
Dwarkadhish Temple – Gujarat
Dwarkadhish Temple, also known as Jagat Mandir, is one of the most admired ancient Indian temples, in Dwarka, Gujarat. This temple is dedicated to Lord Krishna and features classic Chalukya-style architecture. Made of limestone and sand, this stunning five-story temple is a shining example of the rich and ancient temple architecture of India.
Archaeologists believe this 2500-year-old temple was built by Vajranabha, the great-grandson of Lord Krishna, on land that Lord Krishna is said to have taken back from the sea. The temple’s location at the meeting point of the Gomti River and the Arabian Sea creates a stunning backdrop for this spiritual site.
The five-storied temple stands 43 meters high, adorned with intricate carvings of mythical characters and legends. Its towering spire is topped with a large flag – made from 52 yards of cloth, visible from as far as 10 km away. Devotees traditionally take a dip in the sacred Gomti River before entering the temple through the Swarga Dwar and exit via the Moksha Dwar.
For travellers planning to visit Dwarka, this temple is the highlight, offering a perfect blend of spirituality and rich cultural history.
Loading Packages...Vital Info
- Location: Devbhoomi Dwarka, Gujarat
- Nearest Airports: Porbandar (95 km) and Jamnagar (145 km)
- Nearest Railway Station: Dwarka Railway Station (2 km from the temple)
- By Road: Easily accessible via NH-947 and well-connected by state-run buses.
- Best time to visit: November to February (ideal weather) and during Janmashtami celebrations.
- Temple timings: 6:30 AM to 1:00 PM and 5:00 PM to 9:30 PM (Open daily)
Also Read: Discover Gujarat Somnath Temple – A Journey Through Time And Devotion!
Kedarnath Temple – Uttarakhand
Kedarnath Temple is one of the most sacred and historical temples of India – located in the Garhwal Himalayas in Uttarakhand. Set at an altitude of 3,580 meters, the temple is surrounded by snow-covered mountains, dense forests, and the Mandakini River flowing nearby. A vital part of the Char Dham Yatra, this ancient shrine is also one of the 12 Jyotirlingas dedicated to Lord Shiva.
This holy place brings thousands of visitors each year, especially those seeking spiritual trip to the Himalayas. The temple is a masterpiece of temple architecture in India, built using massive stone slabs on a raised platform. Despite the devastating floods in 2013, Kedarnath Temple stood strong, adding to its mystique and spiritual significance.
Many believe that visiting this shrine grants moksha. With its rich legends and sacred aura, Kedarnath is one of India’s most spiritually uplifting ancient temples.
Loading Packages...Vital Info
- Location: Rudraprayag district, Uttarakhand, India
- Nearest Airports: Dehradun (Jolly Grant Airport, 239 km), and helicopter services from Sirsi, Phata & Guptkashi to Kedarnath.
- Nearest Railway Station: Rishikesh (221 km)
- By Road: Buses run to Sitapur; jeeps are available from Sonprayag to Gaurikund.
- Best time to visit: April to mid-June and October to mid-November
- Temple timings: 4:00 AM – 9:00 PM (Closed from 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM)
Meenakshi Temple – Tamil Nadu
The Meenakshi Amman Temple is on the southern bank of the Vaigai River in Madurai, Tamil Nadu. Dedicated to Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva, it is one of the most famous ancient temples in India.
A major highlight of most South India tour packages, this vibrant temple has 14 towering gopurams or gateway towers, intricate sculptures, and the famous Hall of Thousand Pillars. Some of the most interesting things at this temple are the Golden Lotus Pond, over 33,000 detailed sculptures, and the green-coloured idol of Goddess Meenakshi with a special legend about the idol. The temple is built based on ancient design rules and is restored every 12 years.
If you are visiting for the first time, take a guided tour to learn more about the temple’s history, design, and meaning. The guides will explain the stories behind the sculptures and temple rituals.
Vital Info
- Location: Madurai, Tamil Nadu
- Nearest Airports: Madurai International Airport
- Nearest Railway Station: Madurai Junction
- By Road: Madurai is well connected with major cities in Tamil Nadu.
- Best time to visit: October to March is ideal due to the pleasant weather.
- Temple timings: 5:00 AM – 12:30 PM and 4:00 PM – 9:30 PM
Also Read: Top 10 reasons to must visit Tamil Nadu in 2025!
Kailasa Temple – Maharashtra
One of the most fascinating ancient temples in India – Kailasa Temple is a part of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Ellora Caves. This temple is the largest monolithic rock-cut temple in the world carved from a single basalt rock in the 8th century. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is built to look like Mount Kailash.
Inside the temple, you will find a U-shaped courtyard with massive stone elephants guarding the entrance, a Nandi Mandapam, and beautifully carved panels depicting scenes from the Ramayana, Mahabharata, and Puranas. Look for famous sculptures like Ravana shaking Mount Kailash, Shiva as Nataraja, and Goddess Durga slaying Mahishasura.
The structure reflects a blend of Northern and Deccan styles. Inspired by Mount Kailash, the temple amazes visitors with its enormous size, intricate carvings, and grand design.
As part of Ellora Caves, which include Hindu, Jain, and Buddhist monuments, this site reflects the religious harmony of ancient India. You can visit this beautiful temple with the Ellora and Ajanta caves, giving you a closer look at this architectural marvel.
Vital Info
- Location: Ellora Caves, Verul, near Aurangabad, Maharashtra, India.
- Nearest Airports: Aurangabad Airport.
- Nearest Railway Station: Aurangabad Railway Station
- By Road: Ellora is well-connected to Aurangabad and Mumbai by road.
- Best time to visit: October to March is ideal due to the pleasant weather, but the temple is open all year round.
- Temple timings: 7 AM to 6 PM (Closed on Tuesdays).
Also Read: Your Ultimate Guide to the Harihar Fort Trek – Maharashtra!
Vaishno Devi Temple – Kashmir
Located inside a natural cave on the Trikuta Mountain in Jammu and Kashmir, Vaishno Devi Temple is one of the most famous temples in India. Many tour packages are available that include Vaishno Devi Temple, offering an unforgettable experience of its spiritual energy. Set at 5,200 feet above sea level, this temple attracts over 1 crore devotees every year.
Unlike most temples, this cave shrine has three natural rocks symbolizing Kali, Lakshmi, and Saraswati. It is one of the holiest Shaktipeeths.
The pilgrimage involves a 12-15 km trek from the base camp at Katra, which typically takes 4-8 hours depending on pace. Various tour packages in India offer convenient ways to visit this temple. The most common option is by walking the entire 12-15 km path. You can also opt for a Palanquin or a pony available for hire at Katra and along the route.
Alternatively, you can opt for a 5-minute flight from Katra to Sanjhi Chhat, reducing the trek to just 2.5 km. Registration is mandatory at the Yatra Registration Centres in Katra or online.
Loading Packages...Vital Info
- Location: near Katra, in Jammu and Kashmir, India.
- Nearest Airports: Jammu Airport.
- Nearest Railway Station: Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra Railway Station.
- By Road: Katra is well connected by road to Jammu (1.5 to 2 hours).
- Best time to visit: March to April (Chaitra Navratri), September to October (Sharad Navratri) October to March is also good due to pleasant weather. Avoid visiting during monsoon (July to September) due to heavy rains.
- Temple timings: 5:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Also Read: Best Food and Shopping to explore when in Kashmir
Conclusion
These ancient temples tell us more about India than just stone and sculpture. They are living proof of what people can create when inspired by faith and artistic vision. Walking through these sacred places, you can sense the deep connection between the past and present, where prayers from centuries ago still seem to linger in the air. Each temple tells a unique story, offering a glimpse into the rich culture of India.
In today’s fast-moving world, they remind us to pause, reflect, and connect with something greater than ourselves. India tour packages take you beyond tourist spots to temples where the earthly and divine worlds beautifully merge.
Also Read: 7 Incredible Places To Celebrate krishna janmashtami 2025 In India!
