10 Most famous Temples to Visit in South India

South India is a beautiful poetry of Temples. Travelers get mesmerized by its rich history, stunning architecture, and deep spiritual importance. There are many beautiful temples in South India which attract millions of tourists every year. In fact, if you are a first-time traveller and want to experience South India’s beauty and learn about its culture and heritage then you must visit some of the most famous temples of South India. We are not saying that you should only visit temples but temple tours are a good starting point to explore South India.

In this post we are going to provide you details about 10 most famous temples to visit in South India which you should not miss.

Sri Venkateswara Temple, Andhra Pradesh
Veerabhadra Temple, Andhra Pradesh
Padmanabhaswamy Temple, Kerala
Sabarimala Temple, Kerala
Guruvayur Temple, Kerala
Ramanathaswamy Temple, Tamil Nadu
Ranganathaswamy Temple, Tamil Nadu
Arunachaleshwara Temple, Tamil Nadu
Brihadeeswarar Temple, Tamil Nadu
Meenakshi Temple, Tamil Nadu

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Sri Venkateswara Temple, Andhra Pradesh

Sri Venkateswara Temple Andhra Pradesh- Popular Temples in South India

Sri Venkateswara Temple is also known as Tirupati Balaji Temple. It is dedicated to Lord Vishnu who is also known as Venkateswara in Tirumala. It is one of the most visited temples of South India. It’s an excellent example of Tamil architecture. It is spread on 16.2 acres of land. There are three Dwars (entrances) of the temple. The first is made of brass, second is of Silver and the third Dwar is made of Gold. In the Silver entrance, you see a beautiful idol of Sri Ranganatha kneeling on Adishesha (serpent god). In the Sanctum Sanctorum, the spot where Lord Venkateswara idol is located is known as Ananda Nilayam.

Temple Timings– 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM & 4:30 PM – 8:30 PM

Also Read: Popular Temples in Andhra Pradesh

Veerabhadra Temple, Andhra Pradesh

Veerabhadra Temple Andhra Pradesh- South India

Sri Veerabhadra Temple, also known as Lepakshi temple lies in Lepakshi village. It is dedicated to Lord Veerabhadra (incarnation of Lord Shiva). Its architecture will take your breath away. It’s built in Trikuta style. There are two shrines in Veerabhadra Temple Veerabhadra and Papanaseswara which are placed in the same Maha Mandapa. On the west side of the same platform, you will see a third idol of Raghunatha. There is also one monolithic bull sculpture which is carved out of a huge granite rock. This temple also preserves Vijayanagara Empire era paintings and sculptures. In fact, it is the only temple which has kept the surviving Fresco paintings of Mid Vijayanagara Period. It is one of the most beautiful temples of South India you must visit.

Temple Timings– 5:00am to 8:30 pm

Also Read: Most Popular Temples in India

Padmanabhaswamy Temple, Kerala

Padmanabhaswamy Temple Kerala- South India

The origin of Padmanabhaswamy Temple is still unknown but we can see the records of its mention in Puranas and Mahabharata. In literature also we find verses in the praise of Padmanabhaswamy Temple. A poet named Nammalwar of the 9th century and one among 12 Vaishnavite saints of the Alwar tradition has composed beautiful verses in the praise of Lord Padmanabhaswamy. According to old Grantha Scriptures, it is believed that the temple was consecrated by a Tulu Brahmin hermit Divakara Muni. The temple is associated with many interesting legends and stories. One such legend says that there used to be a saint named Vilvamangalathu Swamiyar. He was a great devotee of Lord Vishnu. One day he got the sacred darshan of Lord Vishnu’s Ananthasayanam Form (A form which is reclining on Anantha Parvat). He felt happy but he had nothing to offer to the Lord. So, he offered unripe mangoes from a nearby mango tree. Even today as a part of continuity of traditions the salted raw mangoes form a major offering in the temple. It is indeed a must visit temples in South India.

Temple Timings– 3:15 am to 12:00 pm and 5:00pm to 7:20 pm

Also Read: Popular Temples in Telangana

Sabarimala Temple, Kerala

Sabarimala Temple Kerala-South India

Sabarimala Temple is one of the most famous Pilgrimage destinations in South India. It is located inside the Periyar Tiger Reserve in Pathanamthitta district in Kerala. Devotees from all over India visit Sabarimala Temple by climbing the 18 steps to offer their prayers to Lord Ayyappa. Lord Ayyappa is a son of Lord Shiva and Mohini (a feminine incarnation of Lord Vishnu). The temple is located 3500 ft above the sea level. It is open only for Mandalakalam (November to mid- January) and in April during Vishnu festival for 5 days for the devotees. The temple is also known as Dharma Shasta. The temple finds its mention in the holy Ramayana. There is one another deity – VavarThara who acts as sub- deity of the temple. Vavar Thara was a Sufi saint who became a friend of Lord Ayyappa. Devotees have to strictly fast for 41 days to enter the temple. Women from the age of 10 to 50 are not allowed to enter this temple.

Temple Timings-5:00 am to 10:00 pm

Also Read: Best Places to Visit in South India

Guruvayur Temple, Kerala

Guruvayur Temple Kerala-South India

Guruvayur Temple is a must visit temple in your South India Temple Tour. Located in the small town of Guruvayur Kerala, it is a temple dedicated to Lord Guruvayur/ Guruvayurappam (a form of Lord Krishna). The temple is known as Bhuloka Vaikuntham. The temple was built by Guru (teacher of Gods) and Vayu, the wind god. The idol of Lord Guruvayur is a four-armed form of Lord Vishnu. The temple has a beautiful Deepasthambham (pillar of light). Through this pillar of light, Countless lamps illuminate at the entrance. The intricate carvings in the Deepasthambham are a soothing sight to behold.

Temple Timings-3:00am to 12:30 pm and 4:30 pm to 9:15 pm

Also Read: South India Tourism

Ramanathaswamy Temple, Tamil Nadu

Ramanathaswamy Temple Tamil Nadu-South India

Ramanathaswamy Temple is a popular place of worship and an integral part of the South India pilgrimage Tour. It is one of the 12 Jyotirlinga temples of Lord Shiva. It has beautiful structures, majestic towers, and mind-boggling sculptures. There is one beautiful marvel idol of Lord Nandi which is 17 ft tall. It is believed that Lord Rama after defeating the demon King Ravana wanted to worship Lord Shiva for forgiveness. He asked Lord Hanuman to bring a Shivling from Kashi. But Lord Hanuman delayed the return. So, Goddess Sita created a shrine of Lord Shiva with the coastal sands of Rameswaram for the worship of Lord Rama. The temple has two shiva lingas- One made by Goddess Sita- Ramalingam and one brought by Lord Hanuman is known as Vishwalingam.

Temple Timings-5:00am to 1:00 pm and 3:00pm to 9:00pm

Also Read: Pilgrimage Tourism in India

Ranganathaswamy Temple, Tamil Nadu

Ranganathaswamy Temple Tamil Nadu

Ranganathaswamy Temple is situated at Srirangam in Trichy. It is spread across 156 acres. Dedicated to Ranganatha (a form of Lord Vishnu in a reclining position), it is one of the eight self-manifested sacred places of Lord Vishnu. The beauty of the Dravidian architecture of the temple is unparalleled. The temple houses 21 colorful sculpted gopuras, 50 sub shrines, 9 sacred pools and a golden Vimana dome. It also has a 236 ft Raj gopura tower which makes it the tallest temple tower in India. You must add this beautiful temple in your list of famous Hindu temples in South India.

Temple Timings-6:00am to 1:00pm and 2:00pm to 8:00pm

Also Read: Best Places to Visit in Tamil Nadu

Arunachaleshwara Temple, Tamil Nadu

Arunachaleshwara Temple Tamil Nadu

Arunachaleshwara Temple is the most popular Shaivite temples of South India. It is also one of the Panchabhoota Sthalams. Pancha Bhutas are the five elements of life- Earth, Fire, Water, Air and Sky. This temple represents the fire element. Lord Shiva this temple is worshipped as Agni Lingam., According to Shiva Purana, it is one of the places where devotees can achieve Nirvana- Freedom from the cycle of life and death. The temple is spread across 25 acres. It has 1000 pillared Mandapam. There is a separate shrine of goddess Parvati within the temple. Goddess Parvati is worshipped as Unnamulai Amman. The temple is surrounded by the sacred Arunachala Hill which is in itself a physical symbol of lord Shiva. Before entering the temple devotees do a sacred circumambulation of the hill which is known as Giri Pradakshina to get the divine blessings of Lord Shiva.

Temple Timings-5:30 am to 12:30pm and 3:30 pm to 9:30 pm

Also Read: The 12 Jyotirlingas of India

Brihadeeswarar Temple, Tamil Nadu

Brihadeeswarar Temple Tamil Nadu

Brihadeeswarar Temple is also known as Peruvudaiyar Temple and Rajrajeshwara Temple. It is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The Temple is an outstanding example of Dravidian style of architecture. It was built by Raja Raja Chola I in 1010 AD. It is also an integral part of the UNESCO World Heritage site of Great Living Chola Temples. In the 16th century, fortified walls were added around the temple which is still visible today. The Kumbam (apex of the top) is made of single rock which is weighted around 80 tons. There is a 16 ft Nandi Bull idol made of a single rock.

Temple Timings-6:00am to 12:30 pm and 4:00pm to 8:30 pm

Also Read: Best Religious Places to Visit in India

Meenakshi Temple, Tamil Nadu

Meenakshi Temple Tamil Nadu

Meenakshi Temple is one of the oldest and most popular temples to visit in South India. Meenakshi Temple spreads over an area of 65,00 sq km. The temple is more than 2000 years old. Devotees here worship Lord Sunderashwarar (Lord Shiva) and his fish eyed spouse – Goddess Meenakshi. Goddess Meenakshi Is the presiding deity of this temple. The most beautiful attraction of this temple is Ayiramkaal Mandapam- The hall of 1000 pillars. Devotees also take part in the annual 10-day Meenakshi Tiru Kalyanam festival. Only Hindus can enter the inner sanctum for offering prayers in Meenakshi Temple.

Temple Timings-5:00 am to 12:30 pm and 4:00 pm to 9:30 pm

Also Read: Best Temples Photography India

India has a rich spiritual heritage. South India’s temples are a beautiful poetry of heritage and culture. It holds a deep religious and spiritual significance. Every temple in South India is a testament of South India’s glorious past and extraordinary art and architecture. It is indeed a crowning jewel of India’s spiritual heritage. You must visit all these temples to know the spiritual wealth of Incredible India.

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