Kanchipuram Ekambareswarar Temple

 The Kanchipuram Ekambareswarar Temple is a Hindu temple located in the city of Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu, India. The temple is dedicated to the god Shiva, and is one of the five major temples in the city. The temple was built by the Pallava king Rajasimha in the 8th century, and is one of the oldest temples in the region. The temple is famous for its large tower, which reaches a height of 58 meters. The temple complex also includes a number of smaller shrines, as well as a large tank. The Kanchipuram Ekambareswarar Temple is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the city, and is visited by thousands of people every year.

The ISKCON Hare Krishna Temple

The ISKCON Hare Krishna Temple is a religious institution located in Mumbai, India. The temple is dedicated to the worship of Lord Krishna, and serves as a place of prayer and meditation for devotees of the Hare Krishna movement. The temple complex includes a number of shrines and temples, as well as a school, a library, and a guest house. The ISKCON Hare Krishna Temple is open to the public for worship and visitors are welcome to participate in the many activities and events that take place here. The temple is also a popular destination for tourists, who come to experience the vibrant atmosphere and learn more about the Hare Krishna movement. The ISKCON Hare Krishna Temple is an important part of Mumbai's religious and cultural landscape, and is a must-visit for anyone interested in India's rich history and religious traditions.

The Guruvayoor Temple

 The Guruvayoor Temple is located in the town of Guruvayoor, in the Thrissur district of Kerala, India. It is one of the most famous temples in Kerala, and is dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu. The temple is said to have been founded by the sage Parashurama, and is believed to house the deity Vishnu in his form as Krishna. The temple attracts millions of visitors each year, and is one of the busiest pilgrimage sites in India.

The Guruvayoor Temple is considered to be one of the most sacred sites in Hinduism, and is often referred to as the "Temple of Kerala". The temple is said to be the site where Krishna was born, and is also believed to be the place where he performed his famous "leelas" (divine play). The temple is also home to a large number of shrines and temples dedicated to other Hindu deities, such as Shiva, Parvati, and Hanuman.

The Guruvayoor Temple complex is spread over an area of around 40 acres, and includes a number of smaller temples and shrines. The main entrance to the temple complex is through the "Gopuram", which is a massive gate tower decorated with intricate carvings. The temple complex also includes a number of water tanks, which are used for holy ablutions.

The Guruvayoor Temple is open to visitors from early morning until late evening, and there is no entry fee. However, photography is not allowed inside the temple complex, and visitors are requested to dress modestly.

Ekambareswarar Temple

 The Ekambareswarar Temple is located in Kanchipuram, which is a city in the state of Tamil Nadu in southern India. The temple was originally built by the Pallavas in the 7th century, and it has been rebuilt and renovated a number of times over the centuries. The temple is dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva, and it is one of the most important temples in Tamil Nadu.

The Ekambareswarar Temple is one of the largest temples in Kanchipuram, and it covers an area of more than 30 acres. The temple complex includes a number of shrines and mandapams (pillared halls), as well as a tank that is said to have been created by the Hindu god Shiva himself. The temple is home to a number of important sculptures, including a life-size statue of Nandi (the bull that is sacred to Shiva) and a statue of Shiva that is more than 12 feet tall.

The Ekambareswarar Temple is one of the five major Shiva temples that are known as the Pancha Bootha Sthalams, and it is said to represent the element of earth. The temple is also one of the twelve Jyotirlinga temples, which are a group of temples that represent the different forms of Shiva. Every year, thousands of pilgrims visit the Ekambareswarar Temple to worship Shiva and to receive his blessings.

The Chilkur Balaji Temple

 The Chilkur Balaji Temple is a Hindu temple located in the town of Chilkur, in the Hyderabad district of Telangana, India. The temple is dedicated to the god Venkateswara, and is popularly known as the Visa Temple, because it is believed that praying at the temple will help one obtain a visa to travel abroad. The temple is visited by over 10,000 pilgrims every day.

The Chilkur Balaji Temple was built in the 11th century by the Yadava kings. It is one of the only temples in India that does not have a hundi (donation box). Instead, the temple operates on a donations basis, with pilgrims donating what they can afford. The temple is also unique in that it does not have any priests; instead, pilgrims perform all the puja (worship) themselves.

The Chilkur Balaji Temple is open daily from 6:00am to 9:00pm. Pilgrims can reach the temple by taking a bus or auto-rickshaw from Hyderabad. The temple is located about 30 kilometers from Hyderabad.

Birla Mandir, Hyderabad

 The Birla Mandir, also known as the Laxmi Narayan Temple, is a Hindu temple in Hyderabad, Telangana, India. It is dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu and his consort Lakshmi. The temple was built by the industrialist Ghanshyam Das Birla in 1988. The temple is located on a hillock called the Naubath Pahad, which also houses other temples such as the Hanuman Temple and the Shri Sanghi Temple. The Birla Mandir is constructed of white marble brought from Rajasthan, and is adorned with statues and reliefs depicting scenes from the Hindu scriptures. The temple complex also includes a garden, a water tank and a museum.

The Birla Mandir was built over a period of 10 years, and was inaugurated by Mahatma Gandhi in 1936. The temple complex covers an area of 13 acres (5.3 ha) and includes a Gardens, water tank, and a museum. The temple is situated on a hillock called the Naubath Pahad, which also houses other temples such as the Hanuman Temple and the Shri Sanghi Temple.

The Birla Mandir is constructed of white marble brought from Rajasthan, and is adorned with statues and reliefs depicting scenes from the Hindu scriptures. The temple complex also includes a garden, a water tank and a museum.

Akshardham Temple

 Akshardham Temple is a Hindu temple located in Delhi, India. It was inaugurated on 6 November 2005 by Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the then Prime Minister of India. The temple, built on the banks of the Yamuna River, is dedicated to Swaminarayan and his philosophy. It is the largest and tallest Hindu temple in the world. The temple complex has an area of more than 8,000 square metres and is surrounded by 10 acres of landscaped gardens. The main attraction of the complex is the 153-foot tall statue of Swaminarayan. The temple also houses a museum, an auditorium, a library, and a research centre.

The Akshardham Temple was built by the Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS), a Hindu religious organisation. The construction of the temple began in 2000 and took five years to complete. More than two million volunteers from across India and 50 other countries participated in its construction. The temple is made up of pink sandstone and white marble, and is adorned with intricate carvings and sculptures.

The Akshardham Temple complex is open to the public from Tuesdays to Sundays. On Mondays, the complex is closed for maintenance. Visitors are required to remove their shoes before entering the temple complex. Photography is not allowed inside the temple complex.

The Akshardham Temple is a must-visit for anyone who is interested in Hindu culture and religion. The temple complex is an architectural marvel, and the 153-foot tall statue of Swaminarayan is simply awe-inspiring. If you are visiting Delhi, do make it a point to visit the Akshardham Temple.

Ramayanam

 The Ramayanam is a story about the life of Rama, who was an incarnation of the god Vishnu. Rama was born to King Dasharatha and Queen Kausalya in Ayodhya, and he ruled over the kingdom after his father's death. Rama's life was full of adventure and heroism, and he fought many battles against evil forces.

The most famous story from the Ramayanam is the epic battle between Rama and the demon king Ravana. Rama eventually defeated Ravana and rescued his wife Sita from his clutches. The Ramayanam is a timeless classic that has been enjoyed by millions of people over the centuries. It is a story of good vs. evil, and it teaches important lessons about dharma, karma, and bhakti. The Ramayanam is one of the most popular Hindu scriptures, and it remains an essential part of Hindu culture and tradition.

Shirdi Temple

 The Shirdi Temple is a Hindu temple located in the city of Shirdi, Maharashtra, India. It is dedicated to the Saibaba, an Indian spiritual master who lived there from 1858 until 1918. The temple draws millions of pilgrims every year.

The Shirdi Temple complex includes several other temples, including those dedicated to Sri Dattatreya, Sri Krishna, and the saints of the Mahasamadhi Mandir. The temple complex also includes a museum, a library, and an ashram.

The main attraction of the Shirdi Temple is the statue of the Saibaba. The statue is made of marble and is located in the sanctum sanctorum of the temple. The statue is adorned with flowers and garlands and is said to be very beautiful.

Pilgrims from all over India come to Shirdi to visit the temple. The temple is open every day from early morning until late at night. Visitors can also participate in the many activities that take place at the temple, such as puja (worship), bhajans (devotional songs), and aarti (a ceremonial offering of light).

Siddi Vinayaka Temple

 The Siddi Vinayaka Temple is a Hindu temple located in the town of Siddi in the Indian state of Karnataka. The temple is dedicated to the god Ganesha, and is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the region. The temple complex is noted for its intricate carvings, and the large statue of Ganesha that is located inside the main temple hall. The temple is also home to a number of other Hindu deities, and is a popular place of pilgrimage for Hindus from all over India.

The Siddi Vinayaka Temple is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Karnataka. The temple is located in the town of Siddi, which is situated in the Indian state of Karnataka. The temple complex is noted for its intricate carvings, and the large statue of Ganesha that is located inside the main temple hall. The temple is also home to a number of other Hindu deities, and is a popular place of pilgrimage for Hindus from all over India.

The town of Siddi is located in the north-western part of Karnataka, and is situated on the banks of the river Krishna. The town is home to a number of historical and religious sites, and is a popular destination for tourists from all over India. The Siddi Vinayaka Temple is one of the most prominent landmarks in the town, and is a major tourist attraction.

The temple complex is spread over an area of more than 20 acres, and contains a number of smaller temples and shrines. The main temple hall houses the large statue of Ganesha, which is said to be more than 500 years old. The statue is made of granite, and is considered to be one of the largest statues of Ganesha in India.

The temple complex also contains a number of other Hindu deities, including Shiva, Vishnu, and Lakshmi. The temple is a popular place of pilgrimage for Hindus, and is visited by thousands of devotees every year.

The town of Siddi is also home to a number of other tourist attractions, including the Siddi Fort, which was built by the Maratha ruler Shivaji in the 17th century. The fort is now a museum, and is open to the public.

Varanasi Temples

 Varanasi, also known as Banaras and Kashi, is a city on the banks of the Ganges in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. It is the holiest of the seven sacred cities (Sapta Puri) in Hinduism and Jainism, and is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. Varanasi is also one of the most important places in India for pilgrimage and tourism.

People often refer to Varanasi as "the city of temples", "the holy city of India", or the "religious capital of India". The city has been a centre for learning and civilization for more than 3000 years, with a rich cultural heritage that includes some of the most important religious texts and monuments in human history.

Varanasi is home to more than 20,000 temples and shrines, making it one of the most sacred places in Hinduism. The Kashi Vishwanath Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, is one of the most important temples in Hinduism. Other notable temples include the Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple, the Durga Temple, the Tulsi Manasa Temple, and the Annapurna Temple.

The city is also a major centre for education and learning, with many schools, colleges, and universities located here. Notable educational institutions in Varanasi include the Banaras Hindu University, the Sanskrit University, and the Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapeeth.

Varanasi is also an important economic centre, with a large number of small businesses and industries located here. The city's main industries include textiles, carpets, brassware, and handicrafts.

Sri Kalahasthi Temple

 The Sri Kalahasthi Temple is a Hindu temple located in the Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh, India. The temple is dedicated to the god Shiva and is one of the Pancharama Kshetras, or five major Shiva temples in India.

The temple is also known as Dakshina Kailasam, or southern Kailasa. The temple complex includes four gateway towers known as gopurams, each with its own unique sculptural style.

The tallest gopuram is the eastern tower, which is twelve stories tall and has a height of 36.5 meters (120 feet).

The temple complex also includes a number of shrines and smaller temples, including a shrine to the god Vishnu.

The Sri Kalahasthi Temple is one of the most popular pilgrimage destinations in Andhra Pradesh, and is visited by thousands of pilgrims every year.

The temple complex is open from early morning until late evening, and there is no entry fee. Pilgrims can receive darshan, or a glimpse of the deity, from 6:00 AM until 9:00 PM.

The temple complex is located on the banks of the River Swarnamukhi, and there are a number of ghats, or steps leading down to the river, where pilgrims can take a holy bath.

The Sri Kalahasthi Temple is an important site for Shaiva devotees, and is one of the Pancharama Kshetras, or five major Shiva temples in India. The other four Pancharama Kshetras are located in Kumbakonam (Tamil Nadu), Draksharama (Andhra Pradesh), Bhimaram (Telangana), and Somnath (Gujarat).

The Pancharama Kshetras are said to have been built by the Pandava brothers, the protagonists of the Hindu epic Mahabharata.

The Sri Kalahasthi Temple is also one of the twelve Jyotirlinga temples, or shrines dedicated to the god Shiva. These shrines are considered to be among the most sacred sites in Hinduism.

The temple complex is open from early morning until late evening, and there is no entry fee. Pilgrims can receive darshan, or a glimpse of the deity, from 6:00 AM until 9:00 PM.

Kaanipakam Temple

 Kanipakam Temple is a Hindu temple in Chittoor district of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. The temple is dedicated to the god Vishnu and is one of the 108 Vishnu temples in India. It is one of the Divya Desams, the holiest abodes of Vishnu.

Kanipakam temple is located in Kanipakam village, 11 km from Chittoor and 111 km from Tirupati. The temple is situated on a small hillock and the deity is self-manifested (swayambhu) in an underground water tank.

The temple was built during the 11th century by the Chola dynasty kings. The main shrine houses the granite idol of Vishnu, which is about 1 m in height. The idol has his right hand raised in abhaya hasta (a gesture that assures safety to his devotees) and his left hand holding a conch shell (symbol of purity). The shrine of his consort Lakshmi is located to the right of the main shrine. There are also shrines dedicated to Hanuman and Garuda (the divine eagle), the two loyal devotees of Vishnu.

The temple complex has four gopurams (gateway towers) - the main entrance tower is about 9 m tall and the other three towers are about 4 m tall. The temple tank, called Saravana Poigai, is located to the north of the temple complex. It is believed that this is where Vishnu first appeared on earth.

Devotees believe that Kanipakam Temple is a place where their wishes will be fulfilled. Many devotees visit the temple every day to offer their prayers and to take a dip in the holy water of the temple tank. The temple is also popular among tourists who come to Chittoor to explore its rich cultural and religious heritage.

Tirumala Tirupati

 Tirumala Tirupati is a famous Hindu temple in southern India. The temple is dedicated to Lord Venkateswara, an incarnation of Vishnu. The temple is located on the top of Tirumala Hills, and is one of the most visited pilgrimage sites in the world.

The temple complex is spread over an area of 26 square kilometers, and includes seven peaks, which represent the seven heads of Adisesha, the serpent god. The temple is also known for its wealth, and is said to be the richest Hindu temple in the world.

The main attraction of the Tirumala Tirupati temple is the deity of Lord Venkateswara. The idol of the lord is made of black granite, and is adorned with gold and jewels. The idol is placed on a platform in the sanctum sanctorum, which can be reached through a flight of stairs.

Pilgrims who visit the Tirumala Tirupati temple offer their prayers to Lord Venkateswara, and also take part in various rituals. These include taking a holy bath in the temple tank, known as the Tirtham, and offering flowers and coconuts to the deity.

The Tirumala Tirupati temple is one of the most important pilgrimage sites for Hindus. It is believed that those who visit the temple will be blessed with good fortune and their wishes will be fulfilled.