Ancient Temples of India

1. Brihadeeswarar Temple, Tamil Nadu

  • Year of Establishment: 1010 AD
  • State: Tamil Nadu
  • Purpose: Dedicated to Lord Shiva
  • Builder: Raja Raja Chola I
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2. Sun Temple, Konark, Odisha

    • Year of Establishment: 1255 AD
    • State: Odisha
    • Purpose: Dedicated to the Sun God, Surya
    • Builder: King Narasimhadeva
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    3. Kailash Temple, Ellora, Maharashtra

      • Year of Establishment: 8th century AD
      • State: Maharashtra
      • Purpose: Dedicated to Lord Shiva
      • Builder: Rashtrakuta Dynasty
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      4. Badami Cave Temples, Karnataka

        • Year of Establishment: 6th-7th centuries AD
        • State: Karnataka
        • Purpose: Dedicated to Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu
        • Builders: Chalukya Dynasty
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        5. Khajuraho Group of Monuments, Madhya Pradesh

          • Year of Establishment: 950-1050 AD
          • State: Madhya Pradesh
          • Purpose: Primarily dedicated to various Hindu deities
          • Builders: Chandela Dynasty
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          6. Meenakshi Amman Temple, Tamil Nadu

            • Year of Establishment: Ancient origins, with significant renovations in the 14th-17th centuries
            • State: Tamil Nadu
            • Purpose: Dedicated to Goddess Meenakshi (Parvati) and Lord Sundareswarar (Shiva)
            • Builders: Pandya Dynasty and Nayak Dynasty rulers
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            7. Dilwara Temples, Rajasthan

              • Year of Establishment: 11th-13th centuries AD
              • State: Rajasthan
              • Purpose: Jain temples dedicated to various Tirthankaras
              • Builders: Chalukya Dynasty and Solanki Dynasty rulers
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              8. Ranakpur Jain Temple, Rajasthan

                • Year of Establishment: 15th century AD
                • State: Rajasthan
                • Purpose: Jain temple dedicated to Adinath (Rishabhanatha)
                • Builder: Seth Dharna Shah
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                9. Ramanathaswamy Temple, Tamil Nadu

                • Year of Establishment: Ancient origins, significant renovations in the 17th century
                • State: Tamil Nadu
                • Purpose: Dedicated to Lord Shiva
                • Builder: Various rulers and dynasties
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                10. Jagannath Temple, Puri, Odisha

                • Year of Establishment: 12th century AD
                • State: Odisha
                • Purpose: Dedicated to Lord Jagannath (a form of Lord Vishnu)
                • Builder: Ananta Varman Chodaganga Deva
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                11. Virupaksha Temple, Hampi, Karnataka

                • Year of Establishment: 7th century AD
                • State: Karnataka
                • Purpose: Dedicated to Lord Shiva
                • Builder: Vijayanagara Empire
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                12. Kedarnath Temple, Uttarakhand

                • Year of Establishment: Ancient origins, significant renovations in the 8th century AD
                • State: Uttarakhand
                • Purpose: Dedicated to Lord Shiva
                • Builder: Adi Shankaracharya
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                13. Sanchi Stupa, Madhya Pradesh

                • Year of Establishment: 3rd century BC (earliest stupas), with additions in subsequent centuries
                • State: Madhya Pradesh
                • Purpose: Originally a Buddhist monument
                • Builder: Emperor Ashoka and various rulers
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                14. Amarnath Temple, Jammu and Kashmir

                • Year of Establishment: Ancient origins, a significant pilgrimage site for centuries
                • State: Jammu and Kashmir
                • Purpose: Dedicated to Lord Shiva and an ice lingam (natural ice formation)
                • Builder: Ancient traditions
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                15. Ratnagiri Buddhist Excavation, Odisha

                • Year of Establishment: 6th-9th centuries AD
                • State: Odisha
                • Purpose: Buddhist monastery complex
                • Builder: Various Buddhist monastic communities
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                16. Kotilingeshwara Temple, Karnataka

                • Year of Establishment: 1980s (modern temple)
                • State: Karnataka
                • Purpose: Dedicated to Lord Shiva, notable for its numerous Shiva lingams
                • Builder: Swamiji of the temple
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                17. Thanjavur Big Temple (Brihadeshwara Temple), Tamil Nadu

                • Year of Establishment: 1010 AD
                • State: Tamil Nadu
                • Purpose: Dedicated to Lord Shiva
                • Builder: Raja Raja Chola
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                18. Belur Chennakesava Temple, Karnataka

                • Year of Establishment: 12th century AD
                • State: Karnataka
                • Purpose: Dedicated to Lord Vishnu
                • Builder: Hoysala Dynasty
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                19. Padmanabhaswamy Temple, Kerala

                • Year of Establishment: 7th century AD
                • State: Kerala
                • Purpose: Dedicated to Lord Padmanabhaswamy (a form of Lord Vishnu), the temple is primarily a place of worship and pilgrimage. It is renowned for its spiritual significance and architectural grandeur.
                • Builder: Travancore Royal Family
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                20. Mahabodhi Temple, Bodh gaya (Bihar)

                • Year of Establishment: 5th-6th century AD
                • State: Bihar
                • Purpose: Lord Buddha attained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree. The temple serves as a place of worship, pilgrimage, and meditation for Buddhists from around the world.
                • Builder: The original temple was commissioned by Emperor Ashoka
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                These temples represent a rich tapestry of India’s cultural and architectural heritage, spanning various time periods and regions. They continue to be places of worship, pilgrimage, and historical significance.

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