The primary goal of every Hindu temple is enlightenment. The
architectural styles, towering gopuras, magnificent sculptures, images,
carvings and decorations of temple bring a high positive energy. Here the list
of largest Hindu temples in the world.
10.Vaitheeswaran Koil, India
The vast Vaitheeswaran Koil is a Shiva temple located in
Tamil Nadu State of India. The temple is named after Vaitheeswaran, one form of
lord Shiva worshiped in this temple. Vaitheeswaran Koil is also one of the
Navagraha stalams in India and it represents Angaraka (Mars). It is believed to
be some of Shivalingas of this temple have been worshiped by Lord Rama,
Lakshmana, Surya and Vulture king Jatayu.
9.Meenakshi Amman Temple, India
The enormous Meenakshi Amman temple is a significant symbol
of Madurai city and an outstanding example of Dravidian architecture. This
large Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Siva and Goddess Parvathy or Meenakshi.
The lord Siva also called as ‘Sundareswarar’ in Madurai. The temple commonly
named after Goddess Meenakshi (Parvathy). The large temple complex covers an area
of 17 acres.
8. Jambukeswarar Temple
The Jambukeswarar or Thiruvanaikaval Shiva temple in
Tiruchirapalli of Tamilnadu is one of ‘panchabhoota sthalams’, means one of
five Shiva temples that represents five great elements (land, water, air, sky
and fire). The four Shiva temples of ‘panchabhootha sthalams’ located in Tamil
Nadu and one in Andhra Pradesh. The Thiruvanaikaval temple represents ‘water’ and the main sanctum of the temple
also has an underground water stream. The main deity of the temple is
Jambukeswarara, one form of lord Shiva.
7.Ekambareswarer Temple
The Ekambareswarar temple is the largest temple in the holy
city of Kanchipuram in Tami Nadu, dedicated for lord Shiva. The temple is one
of ‘panchabhoothasthalam’ that represent Earth or Prithvi, one of the
significant elements of nature. This enormous Shiva temple covers an area of 23
acres. Standing at a height of 59 meters the gateway tower of the
Ekambareswarar temple known as Raja gopuram is one of the tallest gopuras in
India.
6.Annamalaiyar Temple
Annamalaiyar temple in Thiruvannamalai of Tamil Nadu is one
of the grandest Shiva temples in India. The temple represents ‘Agni’, one of
main temple of pancha bhoota stalas. The main Shiva linga of this temple is
called as ‘agni linga’. The Annamalaiyar temple is also called as
Arunachaleswarar, one of form of Lord Shiva. The Goddess Parvathy is also
worshiped in this temple as ‘Unnamulai Amman’.
5.Belur Math, India
The Belur math is a magnificent temple and international
headquarters of Ramakrishna mission founded by Swami Vivekananda in 1897. The
most interesting feature of Belur math is it look like a temple, church or a
mosque from every angle. The temple reflects a fusion of Hindu, Islamic,
Buddhist, Rajput and Christian architectural styles. Belur math is also
considered as a symbol of unity of all religions in the world.
4. Thillai Nadraja Temple
The Nadaraja temple in Chidambaram town of Tamil Nadu
dedicated to Lord Shiva in in Anada Tandava pose (Nadaraja). Chidambaram temple
is one of panchabhootha sthalams and it represents ‘Akasha’. The historic Hindu
temple spread across 50 acres. The Shiva linga in the innermost sanctum of
Nadaraja temple is known as ‘Aakasha linga’.
The sanctum also contains images of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathy.
3.Akshardham, India
The large Akshardham Hindu temple complex is located on the
banks of Yamuna river in Delhi. The temple complex spread across an area of 100
acres. It is regarded as an icon of Hindu culture, art and spirituality. The
central part of this religious complex houses murtis of Sita Ram, Siv Parvati,
Radha Krishna and Lakshmi Narayanan. The Akshardham temple complex as built by
Pramukh Swami Maharaj, The spiritual leader of BAPS organization.The Akshardham
temple complex is entirely made of sandstone and marble.
2. Sir Tanganathaswami Temple, Tamil Nadu India
Sri Ranganathaswamy temple is the most famous and largest
Hindu temple in India. The vast temple complex was built across 156 acres of
land in Srirangam of Tamil Nadu, India. The temple is dedicated for declining
form Lord Vishnu known as Ranganatha. The temple is also known as Bhoologa
Vaikundam and Bhogamandalam. This magnificent Vishnu temple is also one of the
finest Dravidian religious structures in India.
1.Angkor Wat, Cambodia
Stretching over 500 acres the Angkor Wat temple complex in
Cambodia is the largest religious structure in the world. It is a UNESCO world
heritage site and icon of Cambodia. The Angkor Wat consist of hundreds of stone temples and remains of the
Khmer empire. The largest temple complex was built in 12th century by Khmer
king Suryavarman II. Angkor Wat was originally dedicated to Lord Vishu and
later it became a Buddhist complex.
