South Indian temple tours are a great way to dive into the history of India. These tours play a significant role in preserving the rich cultural heritage of India and also foster a sense of solidarity among the Hindu community. The first thing that comes to our mind when we think of South India is its artfully designed temples. These towering structures beautifully represent the Dravidian architecture which is liberally employed in temples belonging to Hindu deities.
Unlike North Indian temples, temples of South India are huge structures spanning across several acres of land. These architectural masterpieces give an insight into the history of Hindu religion through the maze like motifs engraved on the outer walls. Let us take a look at some of the finest South Indian temples you should visit at least once on your South India Tour.
Tirumala Venkateswara Temple, Tirupati
The wealthiest temple of India, Tirumala Venkateswara Temple in Andhra Pradesh is dedicated to Lord Venkateswara. The temple is particularly famous for its 4000 steps leading to the temple and it takes around five to six hours to climb all the steps if one wishes to. The gold plated dome of the temple is what attracts most pilgrims towards this part of India. This temple has witnessed high profile patrons from noted Royal families and Bollywood celebrities.
Also Read: Religious Journey to South India
Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai
This temple is considered as one of the most revered temples of South India that often features in South India travel packages offered by Tour operators in India. It is an embodiment of exquisite ancient architecture that leaves the visitors thrilled with its refined beauty. The sprawling temple complex is spread over fifteen acres of land with several thousand pillars inside it. The temple stands to the South of Vaigai River that flows through Madurai and is dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Meenakshi.
Sri Padmanabhaswamy Temple, Thiruvananthapuram
Sri Padmanabhaswamy temple in Thrissur is the most famous temple of Kerala dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The temple is considered extremely significant in Hindu religion and has even been mentioned in the ancient Hindu texts like Skanda Purana. The entire temple is made from a combination of bronze and stone which reflects a rich artistic sense of the sculptors employed in carving the temple. The eighty feet high flag post made from copper along with the two mandaps housing the idols of famous Hindu deities are the most noticeable features of this temple.
Ramanathaswamy Temple, Rameswaram
Ramanathaswamy Temple is located in Rameswaram Island in Tamil Nadu has great significance in Hindu mythology as Lord Rama prayed at this temple before waging a war against Ravana. It is the most important part of the holy places of South India. The temple is devoted to Lord Shiva and is noted for the magnificent hallway consisting of intricately carved pillars. The twenty two wells outside the temple is another point of interest around the temple as all the pilgrims gather here to take a dip before entering the temple.
Also Read: Top 20 Places to Visit in South India
Sri Ayyappa Temple, Sabarimala
Sabrimala Ayyappa temple is one of the oldest temples in South India that witnesses a huge number of pilgrims from across the country. The temple has an idol of Lord Ayyappa and is named after Sabari who fed Lord Rama some berries from her garden when he was on his way to Lanka. The temple is located amidst a thick forest in Kerala. The temple has laid strict rules for visitors which must be adhered by all the pilgrims coming to the temple. According to one such rule, girls and women in the age group of 10 years to 50 years are not allowed to visit the temple.
Ambalappuzha Sri Krishna Temple
This seventeenth century temple located in Alappuzha district in Kerala devoted to Lord Krishna is revered by followers of Lord Krishna mainly due to its relation with Sri Krishna Temple in Guruvayoor. The idol of Lord Krishna holding a whip on his right hand and a conch on left hand placed inside the temple attracts many visitors everyday to this temple. According to a legend, this idol is believed to have been brought from Guruvayoor temple when Tipu Sultan invaded Alappuzha.
Kanchi Kailasanathar Temple, Kanchipuram
Kanchi Kailasanathar temple is the oldest structure you would see in Kanchipuram district in Tamil Nadu. This temple devoted to Lord Shiva is built in Dravidian architectural style which is sure to leave an indelible impact on the visitors with its detailed carvings. The most attention worthy feature of this temple is the 58 shrines devoted to various forms of Lord Shiva.
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