Hinduism is one of the oldest faiths in the world, with approximately 900 million adherents worldwide. Though the majority of Hindus reside in India, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Indonesia all have significant Hindu populations.
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The building of temples in India began approximately 2000 years ago, marking the Hindu faith's shift from the Vedic religion. Hindu temple architecture has developed since then, resulting in a wide range of styles. They are typically devoted to a single Hindu god and have a murti (sacred picture) of that deity. While it is not necessary for a Hindu to attend a Hindu temple on a regular basis, they are an important part of Hindu society and culture.
10. Tanah Lot Tanah Lotflickr/Peregrino Will Reign
Tanah Lot is one of Bali's most renowned Hindu temples, and it's also one of the most photographed. It's built on a huge rock. For millennia, the Tanah Lot temple has been a part of Balinese folklore. The temple is one of seven sea temples that create a chain along Bali's south-western coast, one within sight of the next.
9. Temples of Kanchipuram
Kanchipuram, also known as the City of 1000 Temples, is one of the oldest towns in South India, famous for its ancient Hindu temples and silk sarees. The city is home to many large temples, including the Varadharaja Perumal Temple for Lord Vishnu and the Ekambaranathar Temple, one of Lord Shiva's five forms of dwelling.
8. Brihadeeswarar Temp
The Chola monarch Rajaraja I constructed the Brihadishwara Temple at Thanjavur, India, in the 11th century. Brihadishwara, the world's first full granite temple, is a magnificent example of Dravidian temple construction. The temple tower is 66 metres (216 ft) tall, making it one of the world's highest temples.
7. Khajuraho
Khajuraho hamlet is one of India's most famous tourist attractions. The sensual sculpture found in the city's many Hindu and Jain temples is well-known. The temples were constructed during a 200-year period, from 950 to 1150. A few temples are devoted to the Jain pantheon, while the remainder is dedicated to Hindu gods such as Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva, as well as different Devi forms.
6. Banteay Srei
Although it is technically part of the Angkor Wat complex, Banteay Srei is located 25 kilometres (15 miles) north of the main group of temples, making it worthy of its own listing. The Hindu temple was finished in 967 AD and is mostly made of red sandstone, which lends itself to the exquisite ornamental wall carvings that may still be seen today. The only major temple at Angkor not erected for a ruler is Banteay Srei, which was built by Yajnyavahara, one of King Rajendravarman's advisors.
5. Sri Ranganathaswamy
The Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple at Srirangam, India, is an important temple dedicated to Lord Ranganatha (a reclining form of Lord Vishnu) that attracts millions of tourists and pilgrims each year. The Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple is one of the world's biggest religious complexes, covering 156 acres (6,31,000 m2). The temple's oldest building comes from the 10th century.
4. Virupaksha Temple
Under the Vijayanagara monarchs, the Virupaksha Temple in the Indian city of Hampi developed from a tiny shrine to a huge complex. This temple is said to have been in continuous operation since the tiny shrine was constructed in the 7th century AD, making it one of India's oldest operating Hindu temples. The temple's biggest entry tower is 50 metres tall.
3. Prambanan
Prambanan is Indonesia's most beautiful and biggest Hindu temple complex. It's approximately 18 kilometres east of Yogyakarta, although it's overshadowed by the much more awe-inspiring Borobudur, which is just next door. However, the two monuments are very distinct in design, with Prambanan consisting of a cluster of towering and pointed Hindu temples rather than Borobudur's one huge Buddhist stupa.
The Mataram Kingdom, rulers of central Java, constructed Prambanan about 850AD, with three major temples devoted to Vishnu, Brahma, and Shiva.
2. Meenakshi Amman Temple
Meenakshi Amman Temple is a temple dedicated to Meenakshi Amman.
The Meenakshi Amman Temple, situated in the holy city of Madurai, is one of the most significant Hindu temples in India. Sundareshwar (a form of Lord Shiva) and Meenakshi are the patrons of the temple (a form of Goddess Parvati). The complex has 14 beautiful towers, including two intricately sculpted and painted golden Gopurams for the major deities.
The temple has been referenced for millennia and is an important icon for the Tamil people, despite the fact that the current building was constructed in the early 17th century.
1. Angkor Wat is the most amazing Hindu temple in the world
Angkor is a sprawling temple complex in Cambodia that houses the spectacular ruins of many Khmer Empire capitals from the 9th to the 15th centuries AD. The world's biggest single religious structure, Angkor Wat, and the Bayon temple (at Angkor Thom), with its multiplicity of huge stone faces, are among them. Angkor has undergone numerous religious transformations over its lengthy history, switching from Hinduism to Buddhism on many occasions.
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