Somnathpur Temple
Dedicated to Lord Krishna, the magnificent temple of Somnathpur is situated on the banks of river Kaveri in Karnataka in South India. Built in the year 1268 AD in the Hoysala rule, the temple is recognised as the grandest of Hoysala monuments. Also known as the Keshava Temple, it is famous for its intricate arvings and elaborate sculpturing. Painted with the scenes from the epics, the temple is built in star shape. There are three temples enshrined within the premises which are dedicated respectively to Lord Keshava, Janardhan and Venugopala. The Somnathpur Temple is a great example of the grandeur of the art and architecture of the Hoysala period and still leaves the onlookers spell bound with its exquisite charm and glory.
Meenakshi Temple
The Meenakshi Temple is one of the most ancient and beautiful temples of south India. Dedicated to lord Shiva, it is located in the ancient city of Madurai in Tamilnadu where the wedding of Lord Shiva and goddess Meenakshi took place. It is a wonderful example of magnificent architecture and artistic excellence which attracts the devotees from across the world. The temple is known for its splendid gopurams and exquisite mandapas built in Dravidian style. The temple houses 12 huge gopurams and the tallest is 48 m in height. The Ashta Shakti Mandapa, Mudali Pillai Mandapa, Samagam Meenakshi Mandapa, Unjal and Kilikatti are some of the magnificent mandapas of the Meenakshi Temple which spell bound the visitors with their sheer beauty and splendour. It has two main shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Meenakshi. The temple is decorated with numerous majestically sculpted figures, carved pillars, beautiful paintings and cloistered courtyards symbolising the rich cultural heritage of South India. There is also a holy tank known as the golden Lotus. It is believed to be formed by Lord Shiva and a dip in this holy tank is supposed to be very auspicious. The temple also arranges an annual festival known as Meenakshi Kalyanam in which the wedding anniversary of the deities is celebrated in the temple and a huge number of devotees gather at the temple to witness this spectacular event.
Tirupati Balaji Temple
Dedicated to Lord Venkateshwara, the Tirupati Balaji Temple is one of the most important pilgrimage destinations for Hindus in South India. Also known as one of the richest temples in the world, the temple is located at the Venkatachalam hill in Tirumala town in Andhra Pradesh. The beautiful temple of Tirupati is known for its exquisite Dravidian style of architecture. The gold gopurams and vimanas of the temple are artistically carved. The gold plated vimana over the sanctum sanctorum is known as the Ananda Nilayam. The temple shrine is consisted of three enclosures called as Prakarams and houses the beautiful statue of Lord Venkateshwara. The walls of the temple are carved with stunning statues and figurines of various heavenly deities. An interesting fact related to the temple is that a number of devotees have their head tonsured as an offering to the deity. An annual festival known as Brahmotsavam is celebrated at the temple premises on a large scale and attracts a large number of tourists all across the country.
- Mahabalipuram Temple
The beach town of Tamilnadu, Mahabalipuram is renowned for its shore temples. The shore Temple of Mahabalipuram is a stunning monument of Pallava Dynasty exhibiting the rich history and architectural splendour of bygone era. This ancient monument is erected on the shores of Bay of Bengal as a testimonial to the rich cultural heritage of India. Dotted with incredible artistic sculptures and excellent carvings, the temple is also designated as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The five storied Shore Temple was built in the early 8th century and is recognised as the first stone structure made by Pallavas. It is also the oldest temple in the country belonging to the Dravidian style of architecture. The temple houses the three shrines from which the most prominent ones are dedicated to Lord Shiva and Vishnu. The shrines of Vishnu and Ksatriyasimnesvara are facing each other at the rear end. There is also an image of shivalingam on the sanctum sanctorum. The walls of the shrines are majestically sculptured and carved depicting the architectural grandeur and brilliance of Pallava art. The temple also houses various mandapas depicting the sculptured and rock-cut idols of deities in different avataras. Apart from it, the temple also hosts an annual Mahabalipuram Dance Festival which aids a lot to promote tourism in the region.
- Sabarimala Temple
Nestled amidst the Sahyadri mountain ranges in Kerala, the Sabarimala Temple is one of the most sought after pilgrim destination in South India. The temple was built in honour of Lord Ayyappan and is located at an altitude of 3000 m above sea level surrounded by magnificent mountains and dense forests which present a breathtaking sight for the tourists. According to the legends, after killing the demon Mahishi, Lord Ayyappan meditated on the Sabari Hill with his wife for the sake of humanity. A number of devotees from different parts of the country come to the temple for a pilgrimage tour. The pilgrims are expected to have a vratham for a particular period. They wear black colored dress and carry traditional offering of coconut filled with ghee, rice and camphor. The temples of South India present a true example of glorious heritage and cultural legacy of bygone era intermingled with the architectural brilliance and artistic excellence of the artisans. A temple tour to South India showcase the religious dedication and unique art forms that emerged over several centuries and still enthral the tourists from all the corners of the globe.
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