India is a diverse country which has been attracting tourists from all over the world. The Department of Tourism in India has taken the Sanskrit slogan ‘AthithiDevoBhava’ very seriously as India is ranked higher amongst tourists. Our geographical, cultural and climatic variety seems to be the highpoints that lure people into visiting our beautiful cities and towns.
Another huge factor would be the tourism ministry’s social media campaigns that have sent the right message across travel enthusiasts.
The country is large enough for tourists to plan multiple trips over their lifetime. From the beaches in the south to the quaint hill stations in the North, the country offers a plethora of options. This is where another choice comes up. Spiritual tourism has been on the boom for a while now and tourists seem to be exploring the temples in various Indian towns and cities.
Let us take a lowdown into some of the most popular temples in India that has been attracting foreigners:
- Golden Temple, Amritsar
Picture courtesy: Goibibo
The temple is also known as Darbar sahib is located in Amritsar, Punjab. It is located in the middle of the bustling city and has a huge inflow of foreign visitors along with Indian devotees. It was built in the year of 1574 by the fourth guru of Sikhism, Guru Ram Das. Sikhism is a religion followed in India and its followers are spread all over the country. The temple is considered as the holiest of all for the followers of Sikhism. The stellar beauty of this temple is amplified in the evening as it gets lit up by thousands of lights.
- Shore Temple, Mahabalipuram
Picture courtesy: NativePlanet
This ancient temple is located on the coast of Bay of Bengal, Tamil Nadu. The Pallava dynasty temple is said to have been built between 700-728 AD. It has been beautifully restored and maintained over the years and is an hour away from the capital city of Chennai. This structural temple has been built with granite blocks centuries ago. This architectural marvel has withstood the test of time and is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site now.
- Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple, Thiruvananthapuram
Picture courtesy: The Asian Age
This beautiful temple is located in the capital city of the southern state of Kerala. The name of the city is translated from Malayalam to ‘The City of Lord Ananta’, which is referring to the deity in the Padmanabhaswamy temple. The cultural mix of Dravidian and Chera style of architecture is widely evident at this 16th-century old temple. Padmanabhaswamy is also referred to as the titular deity of the Royal Travancore family who has been trustees of the temple for the longest time.
- Jagannath Temple, Puri
Picture courtesy: Religionworld.in
This ancient temple is located on the coast of Puri, a town in the state of Orissa. The Shree Jagannath Temple is dedicated to Lord Jagannath, who is said to be Lord Vishnu. The present-day temple structure was rebuilt in the 10th century from the site of a previous temple that was begun by a king of the Eastern Ganga dynasty. The annual Rathayatra which is also known as the Puri festival attracts pilgrims and tourists alike to this Hindu temple.
This is a shortlist of the wonderful temples the country can offer for its foreign visitors. The cultural identities differ from state to state and that reflects in the architectural marvel for every temple.
We assure you will enjoy the spiritual journey you have planned in India.
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