India is home to some of the world’s largest, most magnificent temples, each one echoing the country’s deep-rooted faith and centuries-old heritage. These marvels aren't just places of worship – they are sprawling complexes where spirituality, architecture, and culture converge. If you're planning a journey to explore the top 10 biggest temples in India, this guide will take you through the grandeur and awe of these remarkable sites.
Summary Table - 10 Biggest Temples in India
|
S. No. |
Biggest Hindu Temple in India |
Location |
Size |
|
1 |
Akshardham Temple |
Delhi |
100 Acres |
|
2 |
Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple |
Tamil Nadu |
156 Acres |
|
3 |
Meenakshi Temple |
Tamil Nadu |
14-17 Acres |
|
4 |
Venkateswara Temple |
Andhra Pradesh |
62 Acres |
|
5 |
Annamalaiyar Temple |
Tamil Nadu |
25 Acres |
|
6 |
Jagannath Temple |
Odisha |
10.7 Acres |
|
7 |
Belur Math |
West Bengal |
40 Acres |
|
8 |
Somnath Temple |
Gujarat |
350 Acres |
|
9 |
Prem Mandir |
Uttar Pradesh |
54 Acres |
|
10 |
Brihadeeswarar Temple |
Tamil Nadu |
40 Acres |
1. Akshardham Temple, Delhi
Though Akshardham temple in Delhi was built recently in 2005, it has become one of the biggest and most popular temples in India. Spread over a huge area, the temple is famous for its stunning sandstone and marble carvings that narrate ancient stories. And that’s not all – after exploring the temple, you can enjoy musical fountains, lush gardens, and even a peaceful boat ride to spend some time amidst nature and spiritual vibes.
Address: NH 24, Pramukh Swami Maharaj Marg, Pandav Nagar, New Delhi, Delhi, 110092
Timings: 10 AM to 8 PM (closed on Mondays)
2. Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, Tamil Nadu
The Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple in Srirangam, Tamil Nadu, is the biggest Hindu temple not just in India but in the entire world! Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, this temple covers an incredible 156 acres, which practically makes it a small city!
It has massive, intricately carved towers that soar high into the sky. And if you happen to visit during the Vaikunta Ekadasi festival, you’ll see the temple come alive with thousands of devotees, making it one of the most crowded temples in India during this time.
Address: Srirangam, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, 620006
Timings: 6 AM to 7:30 AM, 9 AM to 12 PM, 1:15 PM to 6 PM, 6:45 PM to 9 PM
3. Meenakshi Temple, Tamil Nadu
The Meenakshi Temple, in Madurai, Tamil Nadu is just so beautiful that you literally won’t be able to put your eyes off it! The temple is especially famous for its colorful, towering gopurams that are covered with thousands of vibrant sculptures of gods, goddesses, and mythical creatures. Spread over 15 acres, it’s one of the most prominent temples in India, dedicated to Goddess Meenakshi and Lord Shiva. And if you want to visit the Meenakshi Temple, try to plan your visit during the Meenakshi Tirukalyanam festival. It's when the temple glows with lights, and the surroundings are filled with soulful music – a truly surreal experience.
Address: Madurai Main, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, 625001
Timings: 5 AM to 1 PM, 4 PM to 9 PM
4. Venkateswara Temple, Andhra Pradesh
Commonly known as Tirupati Balaji, this temple in Tirumala, Andhra Pradesh, draws millions of pilgrims and is said to be the most crowded temple in India. Dedicated to Lord Venkateswara, a form of Lord Vishnu, the temple is widely famous for its beautiful architecture and design.
Venkateshwara temple sits on the Tirumala hills, which makes the journey itself feel like a pilgrimage. And you’d also be a bit surprised to know that Tirupati Balaji is also one of the wealthiest temples in the world – however, the details of its precious treasures are still unknown.
Address: S Mada St, Tirumala, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, 517504
Timings: 24 hours
5. Annamalaiyar Temple, Tamil Nadu
This beautiful temple dedicated to Lord Shiva is located in the scenic town of Thiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu. Spread across 25 acres, Annamalaiyar Temple is famous for its massive gopurams and intricate architecture.
Each year, the Karthigai Deepam festival is celebrated here in a unique way, with a giant flame lit on the Annamalai hills representing Lord Shiva. The festival is quite fascinating, and the temple draws thousands of devotees from all around the world to witness it.
Address: Pavazhakundur, Tiruvannamalai, Annamalai R.F., Tamil Nadu, 606601
Timings: 5 AM to 12:30 PM, 3:30 to 9:30 PM
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6. Jagannath Temple, Odisha
The Jagannath Temple in Puri, Odisha, is not only one of India’s largest but also one of its most prominent temples due to its importance in the Char Dham pilgrimage. Dedicated to Lord Jagannath (an avatar of Krishna), this temple hosts the grand Rath Yatra, or chariot festival, every year. During the festival, you’ll see enormous chariots carrying the temple deities through the streets, and thousands gather to be part of this lively event. The temple itself is a masterpiece of stone architecture, spread over 10.7 acres of land.
Address: Puri, Odisha 752001
Timings: 6 AM to 9 PM
7. Belur Math, West Bengal
Belur Math, located on the banks of the Hooghly River in West Bengal, is the headquarters of the Ramakrishna Mission founded by Swami Vivekananda. The most interesting part about the temple is its stunning architecture which combines Hindu, Islamic, and Christian motifs to reflect the overall philosophy of the mission. The temple and its surrounding complex represent universal harmony and peace, drawing visitors from around the world who seek a deeper spiritual experience.
Address: Belur Math Rd, Belur Math, Howrah, West Bengal 711202
Timings: 6:30 AM to 11:30 AM, 3:30 PM to 8:30 PM
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8. Somnath Temple, Gujarat
The majestic Somnath Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva is situated on the coast of Gujarat, facing the Arabian Sea. The temple is famous for being part of the 12 Jyotirlingas and has a fascinating history. Over centuries, it has been destroyed and rebuilt multiple times due to invasions and natural disasters. However, it still stands strong, offering a peaceful escape with its stunning sea view and spiritual aura – no doubt it is one of the most popular pilgrimage spot for devotees of Shiva.
Address: Somnath Mandir Rd, Somnath, Prabhas Patan, Gujarat, 36226
Timings: 6 AM to 10 PM
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9. Prem Mandir, Uttar Pradesh
Prem Mandir built by Jagadguru Kripalu Maharaj in Vrindavan is dedicated to the life and leelas (divine plays) of Lord Krishna and Radha. It is a beautiful white-marble temple that glows beautifully in the evenings, illuminated with intricate lighting. The outer walls of the temple depict vivid carvings and sculptures portraying scenes from Krishna’s life, which is a delight to watch for both spiritual seekers and tourists. Although Prem Mandir remains quite crowded, it still retains a peaceful charm you’ll want to experience.
Address: Sri Kripalu Maharaj Ji Marg, Raman Reiti, Vrindavan, Rajpur Khadar, Uttar Pradesh, 281121
Timings: 8:30 AM to 12 PM, 4:30 PM to 8:30 PM
10. Brihadeeswarar Temple, Tamil Nadu
Often called the “Big Temple,” the Brihadeeswarar Temple in Thanjavur is a UNESCO World Heritage site and a marvel of Dravidian architecture. Built-in the 11th century by the Chola dynasty, this temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. With its towering vimana (temple tower) and vast 23-acre complex, it’s definitely among the biggest Hindu temples in India. Walking through its grand halls and gazing up at the tall vimana, you get a sense of the grandeur and scale that the Cholas envisioned.
Address: Balaganapathy Nagar, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, 613007
Timings: 6 AM to 12:30 PM, 4 PM to 8:30 PM
FAQs About India’s Biggest Temples
- Which is the largest temple in India?
- The Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple in Tamil Nadu is widely recognized as the largest, covering an incredible 156 acres.
- Which temple has the most crowd in India?
- The Tirupati Balaji Temple in Andhra Pradesh attracts up to 100,000 visitors daily, making it the busiest temple in India.
- Which is the most prominent temple in India?
- The Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi is among the most revered, holding immense spiritual significance for millions of Hindus.
- Which is the oldest Hindu temple in India?
- The Mundeshwari Devi Temple in Bihar is believed to be the oldest functional Hindu temple, dating back to around the 3rd century CE.
