Discover India

Location: Bansberia, Hoogly State: West Bengal Hangeseshwari Temple is situated at Bansberia of West Bengal. It was built in the beginning of 19th century by Raja Nrisingha Deb Roy. This temple is dedicated to Goddess Kali. The main deity is the blue-neem wood idol Devi Hanseshwari. Architecture:  The temple was a very different architecture. The temple is 21m high & has 13towers. The peak of each tower is shaped as a lotus flower. It is built according to tantric principles. The five storey shirne follows the structure of a human body- It's, pingala, Bajraksha, sushumna & chitrini. Image of Shiva is found to be lying on six triangular marbles. From the havel of " Mahadeva" a lotus stem has come  out carrying twelve petals blood- red lotus. On mother Shakti is standing on the chest of Mahadeva in " Fearless - mudra". How to reach: The best route to reach the temple is kalayani express way.

Location: Rampurhat. District: Birbhum Deity: Goddess Tara  The temple is located in Rampurhat of Birbhum district This temple is dedicated to Goddess Tara. It is said that when Lord Shiva had poisoned during 'Samdura Manthan' then at the behest of all Gods and Goddess Mother. Tara fed breast milk to Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva was freed from poison burning and the whole creation was proteated. History and Architecture: The old temple of Goddess Tara is damaged. The present temple with eight roof was built in 1225 by one jagannath Ray of Mallarpur Village. On the main gate of the temple the statue of goddess Durga and her full family are carved. Under the outer cover of the mother in Tarapith,  there is a stone statue of the mother in which she is breast feeding Lord Shiva with her lap. The main temple is built of marble & terracotta. The temple base is made of red brick. How to reach: There is a train from Kolkata to Tarapith named as Sealdah Rph exp ( 13187) It takes to reach...

Location: visheshwarganj, Varanasi State: Uttar Pradesh Creator: Maratha peshwa Baji Rao  Completed: 1729 It is the one of the most famous Hindu temple in the city Varanasi. It is dedicated to the goddess Annapurna. It is the one from of goddess Parvati. About the temple: The legend behind the temple was once Shiva commented that the entire world is maya including food. Parvati got angry and decided to teach the lesson that food is important for all by making all the food vanish on earth. Then the world started suffer due to hunger. Then Lord Shiva came to Parvati begging for food and and acknowledged the importance of food Parvati be came happy and offered him food on har own hands. Shiva made a kitchen at Varanasi for her devotee. Architecture: The temple was built by Maratha peshwa Baji Rao which completed in 1729. The temple was built in Nagara style architecture some other idols are installed in the Annapurna temple's courtyard. Which can be seen throughout the year. These ido...

Location: Kandwa Pokhra Deity: Lord Shiva Creator: Kardameshwar rishi Famous for: Gupta sculptures The temple is believed to be the oldest surviving temple of kashi. Located at the Kandwa Pokhra. History: It is believed to have been founded hundreds of years ago Kardam Rishi established the shivalinga here, which gave it the name kardameshwar Mahadev. It is believed that due to the killing of Ravana, the blame of the murder of Lord Rama to Brahma was solved by the worship of kardameshwar Mahadev. After his return to Ayodhya, he came here to his family and prevented the murder of Brahm. According to historians, the Chandella dynasty kings built the temple. In 12th century. It is said that whose shade is seen in the well made of Kardam Rishi he lives a long life. Architecture: The temple was built in Nagar style architecture. It is sun facing. The temple has many side deities. A pond was built by Rani  Bhawani of west Bengal in 18 century CE. The temple is a Panchratha type of temple...

Location:  Modhera, Mehsana district Deity: Sun  Creator: Bhima I Completed: After 1026-27CE Type: Chaulukya History and architecture: The temple was built during 1024-26CE by Bhima I of chalukya dynasty. The temple complex has three axially aligned, the shrine in a hall. The temple is situated on the bank of pushpavati river. The temple is pillared on a lotus shaped structure. There are carvings represent to Ramayana, Mahabharat and Kamasutra. The outer hall used to be the place for religious gatherings. The Sabha Mandap still stands on 52 pillars. The temple complex and the magnificently sculpted kund are jawels in the art of masonry of the solanki period apparently which was also known as the Golden age of Gujarat. There are many inscriptions on the wall of the temple. How to reach:  By train: The nearest railway station is at Ahmedabad at a distance of 100km form the temple.

Location: Urgam valley, Uttarakhand Deity: Shiva Creator:  Pandavas Type: North Indian architecture. History:  Kalpeswar is a breath taking place with amazing views of the Himalayan peaks. The place is full of legends surrounding its origin. The ancient legend linked to the pandavas, whiles seek his fardom for the sin of kurukshetra war Shiva took a form of bull.But when Bhima tried to hold on to the bull's tail it was vanished at guptakashi his hump appeared in kedarnath bahu appeared at Tunganath and jata appeared at Kalpeswar. About the temple: The temple priests at this temple are the Dasnamis and Gossanis. The temple is located in the urgam valley. Alaknanda and kalpganga rivers is seen at this place. The valley is a dense forest area. How to reach:  By air: The nearest airport is jolly Grant airport located at distance of 268kms from Kalpeswar. By train:  Risikesh railway station is the nearest railhead locate 251kms from joshimath.

Location:  Rudraprayag Deity:  Lord Shiva Elevation: 3,680m(12,073ft) History:  The Tunganath temple built by the pandavas. The legend says that saint vyas advised the pandavas that they were guilty of slaying their own relatives during the war and their sin could be pardoned by Lord Shiva. the pandavas built the temple. Architecture: It was built in the North Indian Style of architecture . The temple has many side deities. The roof of the temple is composed of stone slabs .There is an image of Lord Ganesha on the right side of the temple. Akash Ganga waterfalls is situated close to Tungnath which has a temple dedicated to Nanda Devi .The priest of Tunganath temple is a local Brahmin from Ukhimath village. There are ten thousands of devotee visit this divine place every year Deoria Tal is a pellucid Lake located at Tunganath temple It is believed that Gods, goddess bathe in it. How to reach:  By air: The nearest airport is Dehradun which lies at a distance of 11...

Location:  Belur taluk, Hassan district. Deity: Lord Vishnu Creator:  Hoysala Vishnuvardhana  Completed:  12th Century. Type:  Hoysala The temple is located in Belur taluk. It is about 35kms northwest of Hassan district. The temple was built over three generations and took 103 years to finish. History: One of the Hoyasala king was Vishnuvardhana who come to power in 1110 CE. He built this temple to mark his conversion to Sri vaishnavism. It took 103 years to finish. Architecture: The temple consists of 443.5ft by 396 ft court with several Hindu temple. The temple is sun facing. There are various stone carvings, monuments on the wall of temple. Some of the monuments are damaged. The temple was repaired in 1774 by a hindu officer of Hyder Ali some historians have found 118 inscriptions in the temple complex of 18th century.                       ( Pillars of the temple )           ...

Location:  Aizawal Affiliation:  Christian Founder: Kohharn Thianghlim Year: Foundation stone was laid on 23 December 1996 The Mizoram's biggest church i.e Solomon's Temple is located at kidrom valley in chawlhmun on the Western out skirts of Aizawl. History: According to the Hedrew Bible. Solomon's Temple was comstructed by King Solomon and then ruler of Israel and Judah. The new age Solomon's Temple has become a tourist destination. The foundation stone was laid in 1996. by Kohharn Thaianghlim. The construction of the temple cost RS. 8 crore. Architecture: The church has a seating capacity of 3,000 people within the main hall and 10,000 people within it's courtyard called 'The porch of solomon's temple' to make it convenient for visitors, 12 main doors have been constructed. A verandah 30ft wide is attached to the exterior of the main hall on all four sides. On each of the pillar a picture of the cross of jesus Christ is embedded. An idol of two angels...

Location: vrindavan District: Mathura, Uttar pradesh Deity: Sita Rama and Radha Krishna. Creator:  Kripalu Maharaj. Completed: 17 February 2012  The prem mandir is not an ancient temple like the others Vrindavan, but it is the best one as for as the architecture and the ambiance goes. It is not only values depicted but for maintaining the essence of  love propagated by Lord krishna.it is Located on Raman Reti road Vrindavan i.e about 5kms from mathura by pass. One should not miss this unique place with out which the visit to Vrindavan is incomplete. History:   The temple was shaped by Jagadguru Shri Kripaluji Maharaj in the year 2001 known as" temple of God's love". It took 1000 artists about 12 years to build the complex . The cost was 150 crore.rupees ( 23 million)  Architecture: The complex is one 54 acre site The presiding deity are Shri Radha Govinda and Shri Sita Ram.  A 73,000 sqft pillar less dome shaped satsang hall is being constructed next t...

Location: Bhubaneswar, district Khurda State:  Odisha Deity: Mukteshwara Creator: King Yayati Type: Kalinga architecture Completed:  950-975CE The mukteshwara temple is an abode of Lord Shiva located in the Bhubaneswara. This ancient structure is considered to be an important land mark in the study of the history of temple in Odisha. History: The temple was built by King Yayati, if Somavamshi Dynasty in 950CE. The presence of a torana, which is not part of any other temple in the region, makes this temple unique. There is no historic evidence to conclude that King Yayati had built this temple. Architecture: The temple was followed the design of Kalinga architecture. The gate of the temple was well designed. The Vimana stands on a raised platform in this temple. The niches are empty and have no side deities. The temple is short and has four  Natarajas. The ground plan as the Jagamohana of this temple is just like a star. The torana decoration of Mukteshwar temple is marvel...

Location: Rameswaram  District: Ramanathapuram Deity:  Lord Shiva  Creator: Pandya and Jaffna king. Ramanatha swamy temple stands at the heart of Rameswaram. This temple it self is a delight for every tourist with its magnificent strcture, long corridors. The temple is dedicated to Lord shiva. It also boasts of being one of the 12 jyotirlinga temples of India. History: According to a popular legend lord Rama installed this linga here. When he was on his way to attack Ravana, he reached this place where he made a linga of sand and worshipped it. Lord Shiva blessed him. He requested Shiva to reside here eternally for the the benefit of mankind. Shiva then manifested himself as the linga and was installed there.  Architecture:  The temple has been built using the Dravidian architecture, which stand within a complex surrounded by a high compound wall  The temple boasts of striking long corridors inside that are 5ft high. The sanctum of the temple consists of tw...

Location:  Palampet village, Mulugu district Deity: Lord Ramalingeswara Swami ( shiva ) Architecture (S): Ramappa, Bhumija style/ karamba architecture. Creator:  Recherla Rudra Completed: 11th century  The Ramappa Temple is situated about 77kms away from the city of Warangal. This temple is known for its historical richness and architect the scenic beauty of the areas around the temple also makes it worth visiting. History: Ramalingesware temple or Ramappa Temple was said to be built in 1213 AD by Recherla Rudra, a general of Kakatiya king Ganapati Deva. Local legend has it that a sculptor named Ramappa executed the temple for 40 years and hence it was named after him. Architecture: The entire  temple is resting on a 6ft star shaped platform which is the rarest of styles. There are beautifully carved pillars reflect the effects of light and space outside the sanctum. The dance postures in the form of carvings across the courtyard and pillars make you travel to the Ka...

Location:  Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh Country: India Affilliation: Tibetan Buddhism Founder: Merek Lama Lodre Gyamsto in 1680-81 Style: 65 residential buildings Famous for: one of the biggest Buddhist monasteries to be found in India & it's natural beauty. Tawang is a place which could be one of India's premier attractions, but because of it's location, it remains the country's best- kept secret. For those who do make the journey, one of the World's largest Buddhist Monasteries, a unique tribal culture and breathtaking nature are waiting. History:  The monastery was established in 1680, this is the largest monastery in India & the second largest in Asia. It's also called Galden Namgey Lhatse and was founded as per the wish of the 5th Dalai Lama. It preserves two ancient scripts Kangyur & Tengyur. The monastery had to be built as a fort , as a defensive structure. This was because it used to be dominated by Nyingmapa sect of Buddhism & the Drukaps ...