Have you ever wondered why foreigners bowl over to North Indian regions and extend their stays for a lifetime? You will be amazed to know that temples in North India have a huge role in that decision. It is because North Indian temples are not mainstream mandirs. If you see the Himalayas in Himachal, Uttarakhand, there are many ancient temples there. For instance, the Chota Char Dham Yatra comprising – Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri are the famous temples of north India dating back thousands of centuries ago!
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This is just a little exaggeration to the answer to defend that north India has ancient temples within its belts. In addition, you will find a few mandirs in North India located in unique places. For example, the holy cities of India like Rishikesh, Haridwar, and Varanasi have a share of the Ganges flowing by them. At the bisection of the Ganges, you will find Shiva temples, Lord Krishna temples in north India. Apart from the ancient north Indian temples, there are a handful of new temples built known for their impeccable architecture.
15 Popular & Lesser-Known Temples in North India
Ensure to check the climate of the destination you are visiting for temple hopping. In addition, whisk the official site of each temple before you visit them as temples timings hovers. Not all of them are free of cost to visit. Furthermore, some north Indian temples prohibit electronic gadgets. So, check for all of these reasons before you visit!
- Vaishno Devi
- Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple
- Sri Harmandir Sahib aka Golden Temple
- Shri Amarnath Cave Temple
- Ranakpur Jain Temple
- Kaal Bhairav Temple
- ISKCON Temple
- Tanot Mata Temple
- Jakhoo Temple
- Hanuman Garhi
- Tungnath Temple
- Dilwara Temples
- Hadimba Devi Temple
- Bijli Mahadev Temple
- Shree Karni Mata Temple
Let’s get started!
1. Vaishno Devi
Unlock blessings from the Mata Vaishno Devi on your Jammu holidays and purify your mind, body, and soul. You will find Vaishno Devi mandir within 70 kilometers from Jammu in Katra. This temple doesn’t have any idols, pictures, or deities, making it unique. Secondly, snowfall is common from December to February at Vaishno Devi. But you must have a strong endurance to reach the temple as it is located in the Trikuta mountains at 5,200ft and demands 13 kilometers(approx.) trekking. Devotees can reach on pony rides too!
2. Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple
This is a Hindu temple in Varanasi which is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple is considered holy because it resides on the holy Ganges western bank. In addition, Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas. Remember, you can’t take any electronic gadget inside with you! Fret not because the government has arranged a locker facility for the devotees. If you choose to visit Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple during the evening, head to Dashashwamedh Ghat to see Ganga Aarti in action.
3. Sri Harmandir Sahib aka Golden Temple
A preeminent spiritual site of Sikhism with a holy man-made pool, Golden Temple is the lifeline of Amritsar city. Irrespective of the religion, Sri Harmandir Sahib is one of the most visited temples in North India. Recently, RRR Actor Ram Charan organized a Langar Seva in Golden Temple. You with your friends must eat divine langar at Sri Harmandir Sahib and seek blessings. Remember, video shooting is prohibited inside the temple premises. Also, take photos with precaution and always wear a scarf on your head.
4. Shri Amarnath Cave Temple
Shri Amarnath Cave Temple is a popular Hindu temple tucked inside the cave at an elevation of 3,888 m within 150 kilometers of Srinagar. You will feel your soul is cleansed with your friends, and you are reborn. Although helicopter service is available to reach the shire, I suggest you test your endurance with friends. In addition, pony services are also available. Shri Amarnath Cave Temple is accessible only in summer because rainfall is risky due to landslides, and winter’s snowfall covers the region.
5. Ranakpur Jain Temple
Are you looking for a weekend getaway destination from Jaipur or Jodhpur? If yes, then bookmark Ranakpur Jain Temple. This is an ancient Jain temple dating back to the 14-15th century. Ranakpur Jain Temple is in the Pali district of Rajasthan. You will marvel at the excellent carvings on the temple’s wall. On average, Ranakpur Jain Temple has 1440+ supporting marble pillars. The best bet? Entry is free for all.
6. Kaal Bhairav Temple
Do you know there is a temple in Madhya Pradesh’s Ujjain city where devotees offer liquor to the deity? To your surprise, its name is Kaal Bhairav Temple. When you visit this shrine in north India with friends, be amazed to see the Indian and foreign brand liquor selling outside the temple entrance. Unknown to many, liquor is offered to the deity as a part of Tantra rituals.
7. ISKCON Temple
The sheer name of ISKCON Temple conjures up the images of Lord Krishna in my head. If you live in and around Nehru Place in Delhi, chances are high you are not a stranger to ISKCON Temple. It is one of the most sanctified spots whose complex was built in 1988. Inside the temple, a Vedic Museum and restaurant are there. Ideally, the temple is located at Hare Krishna Hills, East of Kailash.
8. Tanot Mata Temple
Located on the Longewala border in Rajasthan on the outskirts of Jaisalmer, Tanoh Mata Temple deserves mention in the popular temples to visit in north India. Tanot, aka Awad Mata, is the presiding deity who didn’t let any Pakistani tank bombs explode and Indian soldiers in the 1965-71 war. Plan a road trip to Jaisalmer with your friends to see the live shells at the temple’s museum. If you want to pay homage to the Indian army, visit Tanot Mata Temple on the Jaisalmer holidays.
9. Jakhoo Temple
The next time you visit Shimla for holidays, visit Jakhoo Temple, at the highest elevation in Shimla, 2,455 m. During Dussehra and Diwali, you will experience a distinct type of spiritual ambiance because Jakhu Temple is dedicated to Lord Hanuman. The trek is a fairly difficult one but a fun activity with friends. However, you can take an alternative route too, via taxi and ropeway. I advise you not to fancy your electronics because you will find tech-friendly monkeys known to snatch gadgets.
10. Hanuman Garhi
Do you want to channel your spiritual side on the Nainital tour package? Head to Hanuman Garhi on the south of Tallital. As the name suggests, it’s a famous Lord Hanuman Temple. At 6,401 ft elevation above sea level. If you want to witness an excellent sunset with dazzling views, Hanuman Garhi is an excellent viewpoint also! You can easily reach this temple year-round by embarking on 2 kilometers (approx.) trek from the bus stand.
11. Tungnath Temple
This place of worship in Uttrakhand is one of the highest Shiva temples in the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand. Standing at a whopping 12070 ft (3680m) elevation, the Tungnath Temple trek is for people who have strong endurance. The best bet? You can access the path to Tungnath Temple that starts from Chopta all year round, but in winter, you and your friends will see snowfall. The 3-4 kilometers (approx.) moderate level trek is not for the senior citizens.
12. Dilwara Temples
Dilwara Temples are a famous place for worship in north India. Another fascinating thing about them is their location. Dilwara Temples are located in the only hill station of Rajasthan, Mount Abu. Suppose you have an appetite to see India’s one of the most revered Jain temples. Lastly, the temple has Māru-Gurjara architecture. Get amazed with the pure white marble and excellent carvings. Remember, you can’t fancy your photography skills because it’s prohibited inside the temple’s complex.
13. Hadimba Devi Temple
Manali is one of the famous honeymoon spots in north India. Still, it has spiritual attractions, too, like Hadimba Devi Temple. You must visit this Hindu temple in Manali with friends before embarking on your trekking excursion to the nearby snowcapped hills surrounding the temple. In summer, the path to the temple is punctured with deodar forests, and in winters, it turns into snowflakes.
14. Bijli Mahadev Temple
There is no shortage of Lord Shiva Temples in north India. Himachal Pradesh has one of the largest shares of Shiva temples. One such temple is Bijli Mahadev Temple in Kullu valley at 2,460m elevation. For sure, you need to possess a strong endurance to embark on the trek for around 60 minutes/4 kilometers (approx.) – on one side. Distinguishable feature? At the top, you will find several other groups of friends at the campsites.
15. Shree Karni Mata Temple
Your Bikaner trip with friends couldn’t be considered complete without venturing to the Karni Mata Temple on the outskirts of Bikaner. To your surprise, here you can Rattle Your Mind as Karni Mata Temple is the house for 25,000 black rats and a few white rats that are considered highly revered. Karni Mata Temple is dedicated to Goddess Karni Mata, and these rats are considered her children. To unfold dozens of its legends, you must embark on a guided trip to Karni Mata Temple.
Wrapping Up
North India brims with shrines of dozens of Lords like Lord Krishna, Lord Shiva, and Lord Hanuman. In addition, you will find religious sites of other religions in north India because this religion is an amalgamation of unity in diversity.
I hope my attempt to introduce you to the famous temples in north India helped you make an informed decision. If you believe the same, feel free to share this article.
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FAQs About Temples in North India
What’s the North Indian temple architecture?
You can observe a glimpse of the Mughal style – Rajputana architecture in north Indian temples. On the flip side, there are temples in north India of all gods, including south to east India.
Which is one of the ancient temples in North India?
The temples in the Himalayas of north India constitute one of the ancient temples in north India. For example, Badrinath Temple, Kedarnath Temple, and Tungnath Temple all date back to 1,000 years ago!
How many temples are there in north India?
Nobody can calculate the actual temples count in north India. But on average, there are around 5 lakhs.
Are temples of north India open for year-round visits?
Yes, most of the temples in North India are accessible year-round. Even in the Himalayas, you can visit a few temples like Hadimba Devi Temple and Jakhu Temple in Shimla.
What are some famous north Indian temples around the holy Ganges?
Any temple which is situated at the discretion of the holy Ganga River or on its bank is a Hindu holy site and hence, constitutes famous north Indian temples. For instance, Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi, Neelkanth Mahadev Temple in Rishikesh.
Does North India have Jain Temples?
Sonagiri Temples, Bawangaja Temple, Dilwara Temples, and Ranakpur Temple are a handful of famous Jain temples in north India.
Also Read
- 14 Temples in South India
- Top 10 Hill Stations in North India
- 15 Best Places to Visit in North East India
