Virupaksha Temple, Hampi : Situated on the banks of the beautiful river, Tungabhadra, Virupaksha temple is a magnificent marvel of Vijayanagara Empire. Dedicated to Lord Shiva (Virupaksha), the temple is extensively famous for its tall gopuram, grand architecture and intricate carvings. The temple, built in the 7th century underwent a lot of additions by various rulers that ruled the kingdom, to display their power. The central pillared hall, Ranga Mandapa, is the most ornate addition by Raja Krishnadevaraya. Virupaksha temple is a centre of marriages as well as the festivities of Virupaksha-Pampa in December. This South Indian Temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Meenakshi Temple, Madurai : Located on the southern banks of river Vaigai, Meenakshi Temple is dedicated to Parvati and her consort, Lord Shiva. Also called Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple, this architectural marvel is a throbbing centre of culture and art. The present structure, built between 1623 and 1655 CE, was on the list of top 30 nominees for the “New Seven Wonders of the World.” The halls, gopurams and the shrines of the temple are ornate and grand in their appearance. Two very distinct features in terms of iconography are the shrine of Meenakshi holding a parrot and the right raised leg of Nataraja.
Venkateswara Temple, Tirupati : Situated in the hill town of Tirumala in Andhra Pradesh, Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple is one of the famous and majestic temples in South India. The temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and is also known as Tirupati Balaji temple. The construction of the temple is believed to have started in 300 AD. Very interestingly, Tirupati Balaji temple is one of the richest temples in the world, in terms of the donations received by the devotees. The temple has a rich history and splendid Dravidian style of architecture.
Ramanathaswamy Temple, Rameswaram : Located on Rameswaram island in Tamil Nadu, Ramanathaswamy Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple is also one of the twelve sacred Jyotirlinga temples of the country. The legend narrates the tale of Lord Rama who is believed to have prayed to Lord Shiva here. The temple has one of the longest and most ornate corridors among other temples in South India. Rameswaram is also one of the char dhams for pilgrimage. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is considered one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, which are believed to be the most sacred abodes of Lord Shiva. It is also one of the 108 Divya Desams, which are important shrines dedicated to Lord Vishnu in the Vaishnavite tradition.
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Aihole and Pattadakal : These capital cities of Chalukyas are exclusively famous for their beautiful temples in Karnataka. These South Indian temples date back to 5th century CE, very elaborate in their architecture and grandeur. Aihole is also called the “cradle of Hindu Rock Architecture”. Famous temples of Aihole include Durga Temple and Lad Khan Temple. Pattadakal follows the blend of Nagara and Dravidian style. Important temples include Sangameshvara Temple, Mallikarjuna Temple, Galganath Temple, Jain Temple etc. Aihole is an ancient village situated on the banks of the Malaprabha River. It is often referred to as the "Cradle of Indian Architecture" because of its numerous temples and other architectural structures that showcase the evolution of temple architecture in India. Aihole was the first capital of the Chalukyan dynasty, and it flourished between the 4th and 12th centuries.
Vitthala Temple, Hampi : This spectacular masterpiece is a living legend of Hampi’s numerous monuments in terms of their architectural magnificence. Vithhala Temple, dedicated to Lord Vishnu stands apart in showcasing its awe-strucking architecture and grandeur. Famous for its musical pillars, it is said that the pillars emit musical notes when played in a certain manner. Another attraction of the temple is the monolithic and giant stone-chariot.
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Suchindram Temple, Kanyakumari : Primarily known as the Thanumalayan Temple, this south Indian temple is a majestic monument and is another splendid example of architectural miracles. Built in 17th century, this temple attracts various pilgrims from across the neighbouring states. The legends of Anasuya and Ahalya are attached to the temple. The special features of the temple include the four musical pillars, the hanging pillar and the single Linga, which represents the triumvirs, Brahma-Vishnu-Mahesh.
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