Important Temples of India

GK Notes: Important Temples of India

Dear Aspirants,

Today we are presenting an article on "Important Temples of India”. Must read this article to know about the significance & importance of the temples in India.

This article will help in your preparation for General Awareness section for upcoming exams like ssc exams.

IMPORTANT TEMPLES OF INDIA

Temple which is called “Mandira” in Sanskrit is a house of workship. Temples in India reflect the cultural glory and history of a place.

In India, temple is considered as a place where human spiritually connect with God. Temples are built on the principles of vastushastra, known as “Shilpa Shashtra”. It is a symbolic, miniature representation of the cosmos.

1. Amarnath Temple

Located at- Jammu and Kashmir

Discovered- 150 years ago.

Primary Deity-  Lord Shiva

Famous For- The temple is famous for lord Shiva’s Linga which is in the cave. The cave is situated at an altitude of 3,888 m  (12,756ft), about 141 km from Srinagar and one can reach through Pahalgam Town. The cave is covered with snow whole year except for a short period of time in summer when it is open for pilgrims.

Yatra- The beginning of the annual pilgrimage, called Amarnath Yatra is marked by ‘pratham pujan’ to invoke the blessings of Shir Amarnathji. It is a popular yatra destination for Hindus. Pilgrims visit the holy place during the 45 days season around the festival of Shravani Mela in July- August.

2. Golden Temple

Located at – Amritsar, Punjab

Built in – Dec 1585 AD and completed in 1604

Primary Deity-  Sri Harmandir Sahibs

Founded in 1574 by the fourth Sikh Guru, Guru Ram Das, the fifth Guru, Guru Arjan designed the Harmandir Sahib to be built in the center of this holy tank.

Famous For- The gurudwara is surrounded by the large lake and it is believed that it consists Amrit and is fed by the Ravi River and by this name Amrit the city named “Amritsar”. There are four entrances to the gurudwara which signifies the importance of acceptance and openness of all the religions regardless of their colour, creed or gender. Maharaja Ranjit Singh was a major donor of wealth and materials for the shrine and he is the person who platted the Temple with Gold in 1830, hence it is called “Golden Temple”.

While visiting the temple, the devotees are requested to dress well in the temple, wearing head covering which is a sign of respect to the lord, Not wearing shoes. One should sit on the ground while in the Darbar Sahib as a sign of deference to both the Guru Granth Sahib and God.

3. Markandeshwar Temple

Located at- Shahbad Markanda, Dist- Kurukshetra, Haryana

Primary Diety- Lord Shiva and Markandeya

Built in- 12th Century AD

Famous for—The temple is said to be at the place where Markendeya worshiped at the time of his destined death at the tender age of 16 years. He wished to win over Lord Yama, the God of death and change his destiny. When Yama came to take his life, he clung to Shiva Linga and the noose fell over the Lingam. Lord Shiva appeared and pierced Yama with a trident and saved his devotee. And Shiva blessed Markandeya to live immortal life as Chiranjeev.

The temple is made of marble and has an exterior arch welcoming pilgrims. It has a Shiva Linga with Lord Shiva’s idol and young Markandeya in a prayerful posture. The walls of the temple depict a scene of Lord Shiva saving the child Markandeya from Yama, the Lord of death.

Pilgrims visit the temple in large numbers in the month of Shravan (July/August).

4. Mahabodhi Temple

Located at- Bodhgaya, Bihar

Discovered – 260 BC

Architect- Ashoka

Primary Deity- Lord Buddha

Famous For- Mahabodhi Temple is a Buddhist Stupa located at bodhgaya, 116km from Capital of Bihar, Patna. The temple is built in bricks and which is still survives today. The ground level of the temple is 45 meters square, stretching up in a pyramid shape that ends in a smaller square platform. The central tower of Mahabodhi stands 180 feet (54 meters) tall. The brickwork on the outside of the temple depicts scenes from the life of the Buddha.

Bodhi Tree- Immediately next to the Mahabodhi Temple is the Bodhi Tree, a descendent of the very tree under which the Buddha was enlightened, and the Jewel Walk, marking the place where the Buddha is said to have practiced walking meditation for seven days after his enlightenment.

In 2002, Mahabodhi Temple, located in Bodh Gaya, became a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

5. Birla Mandir

Located at- Jaipur, Rajasthan

Built in – Year 1988, by Birla Group of Industries.

Primary Deity- Lord Laxmi Narayan

Famous for-  Originally it is known as Lakshmi Narayan Temple and it is situated below the Moti Dungri Fort in Jaipur. It is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi. Built in pure white marble, it is built with modern approach. Inside the temple, Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi idols can be seen.

Temple represent architectural beauty as its delicate carving of Hindu symbols and ancient quotes from the Geeta and Upanishads ornaments the walls of the temple. Apart from religious idols, pictures and figures of several religious saints, philosophers and historical achievers, like Socrates, Buddha, Zarathustra and Confucius, are also included in the temple.

The best time to visit this temple is between the months of October to March. In this temple, 'Janmashtami', the birth anniversary of Lord Krishna, is celebrated with great enthusiasm.

6. Somnath Temple

Located at – Prabha patan near Vereval in Saurashtra, Gujarat

Opened – May 1951

Built by-  Shri. Vallabhbhai Patel (latest)

Primary Deity- Lord Shiva

Famous For- Meaning of Somnath is the protector of God Moon. Somnath Temple is also known as Prabhas Patan, Deo Pattan or Somnath temple and the Shrine Eternal. It is one of the 12 jyotirlinga Shrines of God Shiva.

It is believed that the temple is built by King Somraj, the moon god out of gold. It was rebuilt by Ravana in silver. Again Lord Krishna built in wood. The apex of temple rises to a height of 155 feet. There is a kalash (pot vessel) on the top, which measures 10 tons. The flag mast on this pinnacle is 37 feet long and is changed thrice during the day. The temple is situated at very extraordinary place there is no land in between Somnath Seashore to Antartica.

Somnath Temple was destroyed  many times by various rulers and kings. But few kings of Gujarat renovated this temple too many times. In 1947 Sardar vallabhbhai Patel renovated Somnath Temple.

Somnath is famous for its architechture, the present temple, kailash Mahameru Prasada is built in the chalukya style of temple architecture and reflects the inherent skill of Sompuras,Gujarat’s master masons.

7. Siddhivinayak Temple

Located at – Prabhadevi, Mumbai, Maharashtra

Year Built- November19, 1801, by professional contractor, late Mr. Laxman Vithu Patil

Primary Deity- Lord Ganesha

Famous For- Late Deubai Patil who was a rich lady of Agri Samaj from Matunga. Although she was rich but had no child. So she humbly request lord ganesha “Although I cannot have a child, let other ladies who are childless get the pleasure of child on visiting the temple and praying you”. Looking at the successful subsequent history of the temple, it appears like Ganesha nodded. Therefore, it is famous for “Navasacha Ganapati” in Marathi.The idol of Shree Shidhivinayak was carved out of a single black stone and 2’6 (750mm) and 2’ (600mm) wide with the trunk on the right. This is rather unusal appearance of Lord Ganesha. The upper right and left hands hold a lotus and an axe respectively, while the lower right and left hands hold a rosary (japmala) and bowl full of “Modak” respectively. On both sides of the Lord Ganesha Idol, idols of Riddhi and Siddhi goddesses who are appearing like peeping out from Ganesha Idol from behind.