The Seven Most Ancient Temples of India

Temples are more than just places for worship. Though it might not seem to be obvious, ancient temples were actually designed as well-planned energy centres. They were built to channel the universal energy and make it accessible for everyone who visited.

That’s why simply visiting a temple can feel like a transformative experience in itself. When you visit these temples, you may experience extreme emotional reactions. You just need to align your needs with the energy of the temple you visit. Feeling a deficit in energy, peace, or focus in your life? Visiting a particular temple can help rebalance and compensate for that.

Every temple has a unique story, a legend associated with its origin. We can’t say if all prayers will be instantly resolved by visiting these temples. What we do know is that some of these temples have stood the test of time and nature for years.

In this blog, we have prepared a list of 7 such temples. They have a rich cultural history and architectural legacy that has continued to inspire generations.

The Seven Ancient Temples

Each of these temples holds a unique cultural history and represents the ancient Indian architecture. Let’s take a look at the seven most ancient temples of India.

Mahabalipuram Temple, Tamil Nadu

Built around 700-128 AD, the entire structure of the temple is constructed from granite and sits right on the shoreline. 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, Tamil Nadu

This temple is dedicated to the goddess Kamakshi, who is considered to be the highest form of Parvati and a powerful source of energy in Shaktism. The four main 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 using architecture as a way to manifest and channel the cosmic energy. Along with the shakti, the Varaha avatar of lord Vishnu is also prayed to in this temple.

Brahma Temple, Pushkar

The current structure of the temple dates back to the 14th century. This temple is incredibly significant because it’s one of the very few temples in the world dedicated to Lord Brahma, the Hindu god of Creation. And the temple is situated right next to the Pushkar Lake. 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 observe the beautiful carvings, including images of peacocks and Lord Vishnu, showcasing the traditional Rajasthani art forms.

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 the Lad Khan temple after a Muslim prince. As he temporarily used this place as his private residence. The central area of the temple is kept open with 12 big pillars supporting its structure. Even though 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 alongside the Eastern coasts of India, this temple is dedicated to Surya Dev (sun-god). The temple is famous for being designed in the shape of a massive chariot with 12 pairs of intricately carved wheels, pulled by seven horses. The word Konark is derived from the words Kona (corner or angle) and Arka (sun). Chances are that you’ve probably seen this temple, but missed it. Yes, it’s the same temple that is printed on the back of the Indian rupee 10 currency note.

Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai

The Meenakshi temple has the most elaborate carvings and sculptures on it’s wall. The gateway (gopuram) to the temple is decorated with 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. As if it’s a divine manifestation of the cosmic energy.

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. The bold sculptures represent the duality of life, including both material and spiritual aspects. This temple offers tribute to both the Hindu and Jain traditions, highlighting the inclusive spirit of India.

These temples hold a big part of our cultural history and represent our values. By visiting these places, you get to recharge yourself and feel grounded.

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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.

Q5. Why are the ancient temples of India designed in the form of mandalas?

The mandalas are patterns that mirror the universal energy. It’s a way to allow devotees to experience the universal energy just by being inside the temple space.