Famous and Magnificent Temples In South India to Travel with your Family
South India is rich with temples; thanks to the three main dynasties,that ruled the region as a whole and in parts. These temples were built at different period by different emperors who were advocates of different Gods and styles of architecture. These temples play an important role in the religion, culture, mythology and everyday life of locals.
We are here to talk about the top five magnificent temples of this region where magnets of tourists because of either architectural marvels or interesting rituals are. These temples are scattered through different states of the southern India.
1. Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple
If you want to witness a traditional Hindu marriage, this temple is the best place to visit. You can always find Hindu marriages taking place inside the premises. Located on the banks of River Vaigai, this temple is famous for its architectural marvels. It is said that the temple was built in 6th century. However, the current structure was built in 14th century.
Location – Tamil Nadu
Best time to visit
Throughout the year; pleasing climate is experienced in winter (October to March). If you want to enjoy cultural activities, processions and other rituals, the best time to visit is April during the 12-day wedding celebration of the God and Goddess.
How to reach?
- Nearest railway station – Madurai railway station
- Nearest airport – Madurai airport
- Nearest town – Madurai
Entry charges – There is no entry charges for the temple.
Timings – Open throughout the week from 5 in the morning to 12:30 in the afternoon and 4 in the evening to 10 in the night
Things to do
Top elements of the temple to spot are
- Sacred pool where people are allowed to take a holy dip
- Courtyard walls of ancient times
- The tall temple towers
- Shrines of various Gods
- 100 pillared mandapa
- Swing hall
- Kambathadimandapa – statues and carvings
- Parrot cage hall
Top things to enjoy are
- Rituals that take place six times a day
- Enjoying food offering inside the temple
- Chariot processions (Jan – Feb; July-August)
Places to visit near
- Shopping in markets around the temple
- ThirumalaiNayakar Mahal
- Koodal Azhagar temple
- St Mary’s Cathedral church
- Gandhi museum
Suggested places to stay
Madurai is an important city in South India filled with many accommodation options of varying luxury level. You can find many hotels very close to the temple. There are no accommodation options inside the temple premises.
Travel Tips
- The temple will be very crowded during auspicious days. Be prepared to stand in queues for a long time.
- You can find many ritual items for sale that pilgrims buy for the deity. There is no strict rule to buy those for entering the temple.
2. Brihadeswara Temple
Located in Tanjore, this is one of the ancient temples in the country and is a heritage site. More than 1000 years old, this temple was built completely with granite.
Best time to visit
Throughout the year; pleasing climate is experienced in winter (October to March). Car festival takes place in April. The annual dance festival takes place in February (during Maha Shivaratri)
How to reach?
- Nearest railway station – Tanjore railway station
- Nearest airport – Tiruchirappalli airport (60 km away from Tanjore)
- Nearest town – Tanjore
Entry charges – There is no entry fee for the temple. You need to buy token for performing rituals to the God under your name.
Timings – The temple is open throughout the week from 6 in the morning to 12:30 in the afternoon and 4 in the evening to 8:30 in the night.
Things to do
Top elements to spot are
- The largest Shiva Linga of the country
- Sculptures
- Pillared courtyards
- Temple tower
- Temple halls
Top things to do are
- Visit the second floor of the temple to spot many sculptures made of bronze and granite
- Enjoy mural painting and ceiling murals
- Spot ancient inscriptions in Tamil and Sanskrit
Places to visit
- Tanjore royal palace
- Tanjore art gallery
- Sarasvati Mahal library
- Alangudi temple
- Ramaswamy temple
- Swami Malai temple
- Sukkiran temple
Suggested places to stay
There is no accommodation option inside the temple premises. You can find basic accommodation options around the temple. If you are looking for luxury options, you can find many resorts and star hotels near the temple.
Travel Tips
- Do not cause disgrace to the deity in any form
- Donations are accepted by the temple but there is no strict rule to provide donations.
3. Kumbakonam Sarangapani Temple
One of the ancient temples of Lord Vishnu, Sarangapani temple is famous for its architectural marvels. This temple is a cultural hub, which is famous for many performance arts that take place during auspicious days. The holy tank of the temple is famous for holy dips.
Location – Tamil Nadu
Best time to visit
Throughout the year; pleasing climate is experienced in winter (October to March). If you want to enjoy rituals, the best time to visit is April, May, September, January and March.
How to reach?
- Nearest railway station – Kumbakonam railway station
- Nearest airport – Tiruchirappalli airport
- Nearest town – Tanjore
Entry charges – There is no entry charge for the temple.
Timings – The temple is open for 6 in the morning to 12 in the noon and from 4 in the evening to 8 in the night.
Things to do
You ought to enjoy any one of the six rituals that takes place every day. Food offerings are provided to every visitor. Each ritual is beautified with traditional wind instrument music. There are twin temple chariots that are open for public viewing and procession only in March and April of every year. Top architectural marvels in the temple are
- Tall temple tower
- Temple pond
- Shrines of Gods
- Sculptures
- Hemarishi hall
Places to visit near
- Someswar temple
- Ucchipillayar temple
- Swaminathaswamy temple
Suggested places to stay
There is no accommodation options inside the temple. You can find many hotels in and around Kumbakonam. If you are looking for top-notch luxury hotels, try Tanjorecity.
Travel Tips
The temple will be very crowded during religious times. Bring ample amount of water with you.
4. Ramanathaswamy Temple
This is one of the ancient temples, which has an important role in many Hindu mythologies. Built in Rameshwaram, this beach town has become a spot for washing sins of mortal lives.
Location – Tamil Nadu
Best time to visit
Throughout the year; pleasing climate is experienced in winter (October to March). July and August are famous for Spring festival and February and March are famous for Masi festival.
How to reach ?
- Nearest railway station – Rameshwaram station
- Nearest airport – Madurai airport
- Nearest town – Madurai
Entry charges – No entry charges for the temple. INR 25 per camera
Timings – The temple is open throughout the week. The temple opens at 5 in the morning and closes by 12 in the afternoon. Temple then opens at 6 in the evening until 8:45 in the evening.
Things to do
Top architectural elements to spot here are
- Temple tower
- Sandstone pillar corridors
- Temple tank
- Ceiling painting
Places to visit near
- Agnitheertham
- Dhanushkodi beach
- Annai Indira Gandhi bridge
- JatayuTirutham
- GandhamadhanaParvatham
Suggested places to stay
You can find simple and luxury hotels near and little away from the temple. Temple does not allow tourists to stay for the night inside the premise.
Travel Tips
Choose rail route to reach Rameshwaram. You will be travelling on the train track built over the sea.
5. Tirupati Venkataeshwara Temple
Very popular among tourists and pilgrims, this temple is one of the most visited temples in the world. Pilgrims visit this temple for enjoying the architectural elements, shaving heads as holy ritual and others. Locate over seven Hills of Tirumala, this temple was built in 300 AD.
Location – Andhra Pradesh
Best time to visit
Throughout the year; pleasing climate is experienced in winter (October to March)
How to reach?
- Nearest railway station – Tirupathi
- Nearest airport – Chennai airport
- Nearest town – Tirupathi
Entry charges – There is no entry charges for the temple. You can pay to get special tokens to skip the queue. The cost of the token varies from INR 50 to INR 500 depending on the time of the year.
Timings – Opening and closing time of the temple varies with festivals and religious times.
Things to do
- Take a clockwise walk around the temple
- Enjoy special rituals that take place six times a day.
- The famous dessert, Tirupatiladduis sold only here.
- You can enjoy free Andhra styled vegetarian meal every day.
- Watch people weighting children in weighing balance against any material for donation.
Places to visit
- Sri Padmavathi temple
- Sri kalahasteeswaratemle
- Kanipakam
- Kodandarama temple
- Kapilatheertham
Suggested places to stay
You can find simple lodge facilities near the premises run by the temple authorities. The accommodations tend to get booked excessively early during festival season. You can find simple hotels around the temple.
Travel Tips
You would have to wait for many hours to see the main deity. The crowd is inevitable even during the non-auspicious days. Take care of your children and belongings. Bring ample amount of water.
Other than these five temples, you can find many magnificent temples like Guruvayur temple, Kanchi Kailasanathar temple, Padmanabhaswamy temple, Nagarkovil Nagaraja temple and many others.
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