Top 10 Holy South Indian Temples

India is a country rich with its culture, religion and different languages. The history of Indian country is all seen in the scriptures and in the temples since ages and since the early civilization. Along with the famous rivers the Ganges, the Thungabhadra, the Cauvery, the Krishna, etc are all one of the most pilgrims place along the banks of these rivers.

The South India is known for its famous rulers in the history and the temples built by these rulers are one of those remarkable ones, which are world famous and some of them are listed as the UNESCO World Heritage Site as well. The Dravidian’s, Chalukya’s, Chola’s, Pallava’s, Pandya’s and the Hoysala’s are some of the dynasties who have built wonderful temples with their inspiring and talented architectural thoughts.

There are many temples all over South India, but some of them are very famous based on their history, architecture, power of God, and its existence. Although this article is about some of the best temples, there are yet many temples to be seen in South India when one goes on pilgrimage. Below is a list of such temples one should not miss visiting them, and the top 10 south Indian temples are,

10. Brihadeeshwara temple-Thanjavur (Tanjore)

The city of Tanjore is a place well-known place for its world famous temples with inspiring architecture yet some of them being ancient temples of India. Brihadeeshwara is a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and was constructed by the Cholas. It was built by the king Rajaraja I of Cholas which is known for its remarkable architecture. The temple is listed as one of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. There are many wall paintings of Chola and Nayak times. This temple has many unique things in it and the way it is constructed which makes one think and be surprised. The Shiva Lingam and the Nandhi statue facing the Lord Shiva, both are tall of about 12 feet in height. The tower of the temple is huge of about 216 feet and can be viewed in any parts of the city. Some of the architectural wonders of the temple are, the temple does not have a shadow of it in the noon time on the ground anywhere in the entire year. Its the first temple built with Granite and carved with designs while at that time it was hard to find granite anywhere near to the place. The Musical pillars is another attraction, on taping the two Ganesha idols in the entrance of sanctum sanatorium the sound travels through stone from one idol and through metal in the other. The temple is the most famous temple in South India and one should never miss to see this place.

9. Meenakshi Temple – Madurai

One of the ancient temples and an ancient place of south India Madurai is a place famous for its historical temples. Madurai is famous for its Goddess temple Meenakshi and Lord Sundareshwar. There are many big and small towers (gopurams) in this temple and it is a common practice of this temple where the Goddess is worshiped before worshiping the Lord, hence the devotees visit the Ashta Sakthi Mandapam. Passing through this one finds the meenakshi Naickar Mandapam and then pass on to the Lotus tank. Its believed that Lord Indra bathed here to rinse his sin and ask the forgiveness of lord Shiva. The uniqueness of this temple is the hall of thousand pillars. The beautiful architecture of these 985 pillars makes them look in a straight line when seen from any angle. There are musical pillars as well in this temple of the northern tower which produces musical tones on tapping them.

8. Kanchi-Kamakshi Temple – Kanchipuram

Like Madurai Meenakshi, Kanchi Kamakshi is a well-known temple in the south Indian history of temples. The Goddess of Kanchipuram is also known as the Lalitha devi. The Goddess of Kanchi is known for her kindness, love, and affection in her eyes. Legends believe that when all the lords went asking for help from Lord Shiva to save them from the Rakashas (demon) Badakasura and the Lord advised them to go to Kanchipuram and pray for the Goddess Sri Bala Thripurasindari devi. The Goddess appeared to kill the demon when she was pleased with the prayers of all the other divines. But she came in the form of a very angry Goddess with eight hands and Chakra and eighteen weapons. After she killed Bandasura, she was prayed to calm down by all the divines. Pleased with the prayers the Goddess appeared as a small girl with a charming face and smile and blessed everyone that she should be worshiped as Kamakshi devi in Kanchipuram and her devotees will be blessed with love and kindness through her eyes. Goddess Lakshmi and Saraswathi are treated as the two eyes of Kamakshi devi.

7. Srisailam Temple – Andhra Pradesh

One of the famous temples of Andhra Pradesh, Srisailam is a place where Lord Shiva is worshiped. Srisailam is the name of the hill and the temple is located on top the this hill in the Kurnool district. The River Krishna flows by at a depth of 1000 meter’s below the temple from the hills giving a very spectacular view. Lord Shiva of Srisailam is also known as the Mallikarjuna and is one of the 12 Jyothirlingas. People who visit this temple go down the hill and bath in the river water called as the Patalaganga and they also carry some water to offer to God. The river water is also used for hydro-electric project. It is believed that the shrine of Srisailam is very powerful with all the God and Goddess and its shaktis. The temple has a great historical as well as a spiritual importance. The uniqueness of this temple is that the Linga and Shakti peetha are at one place together and both the Gods are self originated which is not seen in any other temples.

6. Udupi Sri Krishna Temple

Shri Krishna of Udupi is one of the most famous temples of Krishna and most sacred place as well. The temple can be reached about 60 kms from Mangalore of Karnataka. The statue of Krishna was installed by the saint Madavacharya, who was also a philosopher. Udupi temple is been read in many historical events and one of the famous reason for its fame is the “Kanakana Kindi”. It is a small window through which Lord Krishna gave his darshan to his best disciple Kanakadas who was not allowed to enter the temple. Lord Krishna is pleased with his disciple, created a hole in the wall and turned towards the wall, through which Kanakadas was able to see Lord Krishna. Since then one could see Lord Krishna through this hole. There are three temples in Udupi and those are Chandreshwara, Anantheshwara, and Sri Krishna temple. Festivals of worshiping Lord Krishna are held with much pomp here and the most famous of them all is the Sapthothsava and Parayayothsava. People all over the world come to watch these festivals and over their prayers to Lord Krishna. Lord Krishna’s Golden Chariot is another attraction of the Udupi temple.

5. Guruvayoor temple – Kerala

The temple was founded by Guru and Vayu both together and hence it is called as the Guruvayur temple. According to the legends the deity of this temple is almost 5000 years old. The temple had a threat of destruction by the Tippu Sultan, but the deities were hidden and was latter installed back. In the year 1841, the Government of Madras re-installed all the deities and slowly the temple became famous and tourists started visiting the place more. In the year 1970, there was a fire in the temple although the shrine, the flag-staff, the sub-statues of Ganesha, Ayyappa and Devi was not destroyed which was found as a miracle, while many other things was burnt.

4. Raghavendra Swamy Temple – Mantralaya

One of the most sacred places, Mantralaya is a very famous temple with many devotees visiting the place. Mantralaya is a holy place where the divine saint’s Raghavendra Teertha samadhi is located. The temple is situated on the borders of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh states and belongs to Kurnool district. Devotees from both the states as well as from all other parts of the country are seen here. Legends believe that Raghavendra Swami is the incarnation of Baktha Prahaladha and he is a devotee of Lord Vishnu. There are many devotees of Sri Guru Raghavendra swami who helped many people with his power and miracles and did heal many with illness. The temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and deities are taken on chariot around the temple on special occasions. There are three different chariots. Gold, silver and wood Chariots.

3. Dharmastala – Karnataka

Dharmastala, the name itself says that it is a place for charity and thousands of people visit the place every day here. Dharmastala is one of those holy places, people wants to visit in their lifetime and there are many people who make it a point to visit the temple every year. The temple is located on the banks of the Nethravathi river and is surrounded by the green forests of Malnad. The place where Dharma is a way of life is one of the most south Indian pilgrimage place. According to legends long ago, about 800 years before angels in the form of human beings visited the house of Barmana Heggede. He and his family received the angels with respect. Pleased with the family, the angels came in his dreams advised him to do charity and help the poor and needy and they will be blessed. After Barmana Heggede constructed temples and helped the poor in the temples. One day, the messenger of the angels Annappa Swamy brought the Shivlinga from Kadri to Magalore. Barmana built the Manjunatha swamy temple and till date the Lord is worshiped here. The famous attraction here is the statue of Bahubali which is 39 ft and 170 ton. Dharmastala is a place where everything is offered free and the place is known for its charity. The temple trust offers free education. They offer in the form of Annadhaana, vidyadhaana and abhayadhaana. Even some of the lodging and boarding is also free here for the visitors.

2. Ayyappa Temple – Sabrimala

One of the most powerful believed God, which even today there are lakhs of disciples visiting the place every year is a common ritual. Sabrimala Sree Ayyappa temple is one of those temples in India which is open to all faiths of Indian Hindu religion and everyone are familiar with the famous chant as “Swamiye sharnam Ayyappa“. The temple is located in the western Ghat mountain ranges of Pathnamthitta district of Kerala. The temple sees about three to four million of people every year. It is believed that Parshurama Maharshi installed the statue of Ayyappa in sabarimala to worship. The pilgrimage begins in the month of November and ends in the month of January. Devotees come from all over, not only from South India, instead there are people visiting from allover India as well as from abroad. Devotees visiting the temple have to follow certain rituals for 41 days and carries a cloth bundle called as the Irumudu Kettu. The temple is open for all without the restrictions of any caste and creed. Temple allows men of all age and women who either passed their fertility age or those who have not reached the stage of puberty. From Pamba river, one have to trek 4 to 5 km to reach the temple. The most attraction of this temple is the Jyothi, which appears every year usually on January 14th and the source is unknown. This light which appears on the north eastern side of the temple at the opposite mountain in a place called Kantamala, is an aarthi performed by the rishis and devas to God, and seeing this light marks the moment of the pilgrimage to Sabrimala.

1. Sri Venkateshwara Temple – Tirupathi

The most richest temple in India Thirumala Thirupathi is a very famous temple located in the Chitoor district. The temple is dedicated to Lord Sri Venkateshwara Swamy. It is about 600 km from Hyderabad, 138 km from Chennai and 291 km from Bangalore. The hills are seven peaks and the seventh peak is the Thirupathi temple. Its known as the seven heads of Adisesha and the seven peaks are called as the Seshadri, Neeladri, Garudadri, Anjanadri, Vrushabhadri, Narayanadri, and Venkadri. The main temple is on Venkatadri. The temple is the most visited place of worshiping God in the world. TTD acts by a board of trustees and is handled by the Andhra Pradesh Government. Lord Venkateshwara main deity of this temple is self-manifested and is not installed by any human. Thirupathi’s Lord is one of those Gods who is richly decorated. The idol of the lord wears a golden crown with a large emerald embedded in front of it. On special occasions it is replaced with a diamond crown. It is believed that his devotees who take his blessings by visiting this place, will never drown in the ocean of life and difficulties and the depth never rises above the hip level.