The Seven Most Ancient Temples of India

Temples are not just places of worship. It may not seem like this at first glance, but temples are actually really well planned energy centres. Temples were built to channelise the universal energy and make it accessible for all.

That’s why a simple visit to a temple can change your life completely. You just need to align the energy you need with the temple you visit. If you are facing an energy deficit in your life then visiting that particular temple can compensate for that.

Every temple has a legend associated with it. And it is believed that if you pray in that temple, your worries will be resolved. Is it really true or not? We don’t know, but some temples have stood tall and withstood the tests of time.

In this blog, we have prepared a list of 7 such temples that have a rich cultural history/legacy associated with them, which has continued for generations.

The Seven Ancient Temples

Each of these temples holds a unique history and a unique architectural foundation on which they were built. Let’s take a look at the seven most ancient temples of India.

Mahabalipuram Temple, Tamil Nadu

This temple was built around 700-128 AD. The entire structure of the temple is constructed from granite. The temples have pyramid shaped towers with beautiful rock cut sculptures. The carvings on the temple walls depict stories from everyday life. There are three shrines in the temple, two of which are dedicated to Lord Shiva, and one to Lord Vishnu. It is believed that most of the temple structures have been submerged underwater due to floods and rising sea levels.

Kamakshi Amman Temple

This temple is dedicated to the goddess Kamakshi, the highest form of Parvati. She is considered to be the highest source of energy in Shaktism. Along with the shakti, the Varaha avatar of lord Vishnu is also prayed in this temple.

The four walls in the temple are symbolic of the four vedas and the 24 pillars represent the 24 syllables of the Gayatri Mantra. A beautiful example of how the architecture can match with the manifestation of the cosmic energies.

Brahma Temple, Pushkar

It is one of the very few temples dedicated to lord Brahma. It’s located close to the Pushkar lake. The structure of the temple can be dated back to the 14th century. The temple stands out with it’s unique red stone on top part of the structure.

Inside the temple, there is an idol of the four-headed avatar of Brahma. On his left is an image of Gayatri and on his right there is an image of Sarasvati.

On the walls of the temple, you can also observe the images of peacocks and Lord Vishnu.

Lad Khan Temple, Aihole

This temple dates back to the 5th century. It is one of the oldest temples dedicated to Lord Shiva. It was later named Lad Khan temple after a Muslim prince, Lad Khan turned it into his private residence.

The central area of the temple is open with 12 big pillars supporting it’s strucure. Even thought the temple was originally built to honour Lord Vishnu, the central area of the temple is now used for praying to Lord Shiva with a nandi statue.

Konark Temple, Odisha

Located along side the Eastern coasts of India, this temple is dedicated to Surya Dev (sun-god). It’s well known for it’s intricate architecture.

Chances are that you’ve probably seen this temple, but missed it. Yes it’s the same temple which is printed on the back of the currency note of 10 rupees.

The word Konark is derived from the words Kona (corner or angle) and Arka (sun).

Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai

The Meenakshi temple has the most elaborate carvings and sculptures on it’s wall. The gateway to the temple is decorated with the very vibrantly painted sculptures of the mythological figures.

The main hall is referred to as the Hall of Thousand Pillars, where each pillar is beautifully carved with life like sculptures. When viewed from the top the the overall layout of the temple looks like a mandala.

Khajuraho Temple

This temple is well known for its Nagara-style architecture. It is symbolic of the four goals of life: Dharma, Artha, Kama, and Moksha. It is represents the duality of life, including the both material and spiritual aspects. This temple offers tribute to both the Hindu and Jain traditions.

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FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

Q1. What are the key architectural features of the ancient temples of India?

The key features of an ancient temple are the Garbhagriha (central sanctum), the Mandapa (pillared hall), and the Shikhara (tower).

Q2. Which is the biggest temple of ancient India?

The largest temple is the Brihadeeswarar Temple, located in the Thanjavur region.

Q3. What are the three styles of architecture for ancient temples of India?

The three main styles of temples are Nagara (North Indian), Dravida (South Indian), and Vesara (hybrid).

Q4. Which is the wealthiest temple?

The wealthiest temple of India is the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple, located in the state of Kerala.