Top temples of South India: a travel guide for Newcomers

Top temples of South India: a travel guide for Newcomers

South India is a treasure trove of temples that are famous as spiritual destinations and are also known for their architecture and history. Every old temple has a story behind it. When you visit a temple, look for the enchanting visuals of sculpture, colours, symmetry, and intricate carvings. Most temples have towering towers called gopurams, ornate entrances, carved pillars, magnificent shrines, and stunning sanctum sanctorums. Each temple is dedicated to a specific God or Goddess. Most temples have smaller shrines dedicated to other Gods and Goddesses inside the temple premises. A wide space (called the prakaram or praharam) surrounds the temple, allowing devotees to walk around the temple (normally in the clockwise direction). All temples are Hindu shrines, have a grand structure and are stunning works of art.

Offerings of flowers, fruits, coconuts, and food is made by devotees. Each temple has a different tradition for this. Shops outside the temple sell these items which are traditionally offered in the temple. Devotees throng temples and festival days are particularly crowded. Before you visit a temple, it is good to check if it is a festival day and avoid visiting on those days as the crowds can be intimidating.

Choosing temples to visit in South India is much like asking a child to choose candy in a candy store! There are so many. However, we have listed a few temples that are must-visits on your first trip to South India.

1. Meenakshi Amman temple, Madurai

The temple is dedicated to Goddess Meenakshi and her consort Sundareshwarar. It is significant as a thriving cultural and architectural marvel. Located in Madurai, the temple was built south of the river Vaigai in 1623-1655 CE. The temple is large, covering an area of 15 acres and has a magnificent hall with a thousand pillars called the Ayiramkaal mandapam. It is a gallery of life-like sculptures. The temple has 12 gateways and the gopurams are stunning. During the Tamil month of Chittirai, a wedding of Goddess Meenakshi with Lord Sundareshwarar is performed which is a treat to watch.

2. Brihadeeshwara Temple, Thanjavur

This is one of the oldest temples in South India and is a UNESCO world heritage site. Built by Chola emperor Rajaraja I between 1003 and 1010 CE, the temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple has a large gopuram that is topped with a large dome and the speciality of the temple is that the shadow of the dome does not fall on the ground at any time of the day all year round. There is giant statue of the bull Nandi on which Lord Shiva is said to ride and lot of painting, sculptures, and carvings all around the temple. Lord Shiva is depicted in the form of a massive linga, which is one of the largest shiva lingas in the country.

3. Venkateshwara Temple, Tirupati

Situated on top of a small hill called Tirumala, this temple is destination for Vaishnavites and is crowded all through the year. People must buy tickets and stand in queues to get a darshan of the Lord Venkateshwara (an incarnation of Lord Vishnu) who is the ruling deity in the temple. The temple is itself grand and has a gold-plated gopuram or Vimana. Lord Venkateshwara is seen as a massive form in a standing position. He holds a conch shell and a discuss (Sri Chakram) in his hands. He also holds a lotus flower and a mace with his lower hands. Devotees believe that getting a glimpse of the Lord will bring blessings and fulfil their wishes. Many of them undertake an arduous journey by walking to the temple on foot and climbing the hill instead of driving up. They also offer their hair as an offering to the Lord. You will see people tonsuring their heads outside the temple. Devotees pour offerings to the Lord in the form of money and Tirupati is considered one of the wealthiest temples in South India.

4. Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple, Trivandrum

This famous temple is located in Trivandrum, Kerala and is dedicated to Lord Anantha Padmanabha Swamy or Lord Vishnu. The idol is in the Anantha shayanam posture, the eternal yogic rest posture on his serpent Adisheshan. Along with exquisite and intricate works on stone and bronze, the interior of the temple is bedecked with beautiful murals.  It is one of the 108 Divya Desams and a holy shrine in Vaishnavism. It has a towering gateway, high walls, intricate carvings and an ornate gopuram. The temple complex has smaller shrines inside the complex dedicated to Ganesha, Rama and Krishna. Built in the 16th century, the temple has been associated with the Travancore Royal family for many years.

5. Sabarimala Sastha Temple, Pathanamthitta

It is one of the most revered temples in South India and located in Pathanamthitta. Dedicated to Lord Ayyappan, it is close to the Periyar Tiger Reserve. During the peak season on December/ January, devotees throng the temple. Close to 5 crore people undertake fasts and special poojas and make the pilgrimage to the temple every year. The temple is situated on a hilltop about 3000 ft above sea level. It is open to devotees only on certain days and during certain seasons. The sanctum sanctorum of the temple has a gold-plated roof and four golden finials at the top. Devotees have to climb the Pathinettu thripadikal or 18 sacred steps to reach the temple. There are several rituals and restrictions for visiting this temple. One cannot visit the temple without observing these.

6. Ramanathaswamy Temple, Rameswaram

It is a very popular temple and houses 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva.  The pillared corridor here is one of the longest in India and is an amazing sight. The temple was built in the 17th century and boasts beautifully painted ceilings. There is also a shrine for Goddess Vishalakshi, Shiva’s consort, and a massive statue of Nandi, Shiva’s bull vehicle. Other deities like Lord Vinayaka, Lord Subrahmanya, and Parvathavardhini also grace the temple. The architectural splendour and spiritual significance make it a must-visit for history buffs, art enthusiasts, and anyone seeking a glimpse into the heart of Indian culture. According to legend, Lord Rama prayed here to Lord Shiva before embarking on building a bridge to Sri Lanka to find Sita Devi. The temple is steeped in mythology and is an architectural wonder.

7. Sri Krishna temple, Guruvayoor

This temple is regarded as the “Holy abode of Lord Vishnu on earth”. It is one of the oldest temples of South India and is almost 5000 years old. The temple has traditional Kerala architecture. Structures like Nalambalam (temple structure surrounding the sanctum sanctorum), Balikkal (a sacrificial stone) and Deepastambam (Pillar of lights) are situated in the temple premises. The wall of the sanctum sanctorum is decked with ancient 17th-century murals. A popular offering here is Thulabharam: a devotee is weighed against bananas, sugar, jaggery or coconuts equivalent to their weight on a large scale, which is then donated to the temple. The idol here is a four-armed, standing Vishnu holding his conch Panchajanya and discuss (Sudarshna chakra), the mace Kaumodaki and a lotus with a Tulasi garland.

8. Sri Krishna temple, Udipi

The temple was founded in the 13th century by Saint Madhvacharya. The idol of Lord Krishna is seen holding a churning rod, which is unique. Devotees worship the idol through a Navagraha Kitiki : a small window with nine holes symbolizing the nine planets. The idol of Lord Krishna is facing the opposite side of the main entrance. The legend has it that a devotee named Kanakadasa, was denied entrance to the temple because he belonged to a lower caste. He went to the back of the temple and offered prayers. Lore has it that the idol turned towards Kanakadasa and that is why the window is also called Kanakana Kindi (Kanaka’s window).

9. Kanakadurga temple, Vijayawada

The temple is located on top of a hill called Indrakeeladri and is a holy shrine dedicated to Goddess Durga. It is believed that the idol is self-manifested (Swayambhu). It is the second largest temple in Andhra Pradesh. A fascinating story associated with the temple is the legend of Goddess Durga’s triumph over the buffalo demon, Mahishasura. It is believed that the goddess fought a fierce battle with the demon and emerged victorious, hence earning the name Mahishasura Mardini (the slayer of Mahishasura). This victory of good over evil is celebrated during the Dasara festival with great pomp and fervour.

10. Sri Sharadambal temple, Sringeri

A sacred destination in Karnataka, the temple is dedicated to Goddess Sharadamba (Saraswathi) and is located on the banks of the Tunga river. It is believed that in the 8th century, Adi Shankaracharya laid the foundation stone for the temple. The temple got renovated during the 14th – 16th century by the Vijayanagara rulers. The original statue of the presiding deity was made of sandalwood in a standing posture in the beginning but it was later replaced with a golden statue in a seated posture. During Navratri, the temple is beautifully decorated with lights and flowers and devotees come from all over the country to seek blessings from the Goddess.

Conclusion

This is just a simple listing of temples that are well known in South India. There are millions of temples that one can visit and each of them has an interesting story behind the temple. India is full of temples of all sizes and hues. Every state has a plethora of temples and locals are the best guides to several unexplored temples in the country. If you are visiting India for the first time, do not skip visiting temples because they offer a peek into history, architecture, religion, and various practices followed by communities for several years. It is the best way to get an idea of India and understand the people.