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Swaminarayan Akshardham in New Delhi is a Hindu temple and spiritual-cultural complex located near the Noida border. Also referred to as Akshardham Temple or Akshardham Delhi, the complex showcases centuries of traditional and contemporary Hindu culture, spirituality, and architecture. It was constructed by BAPS, inspired by Yogi Ji Maharaj, and brought to fruition under the guidance of Pramukh Swami Maharaj.
The Amarnath Cave Temple is one of Hinduism’s most sacred shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva, located in the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir. Situated at an altitude of 3,888 meters (12,756 ft) in the snow clad Himalayas, the cave lies about 141 km from Srinagar, accessible mainly through the scenic Pahalgam route. For most of the year, the cave remains covered in snow, opening only for a short period during summer when lakhs of devotees undertake the challenging yet deeply spiritual Amarnath Yatra.
The Jagannath Temple in Puri, Odisha, is dedicated to Lord Jagannath—an incarnation of Vishnu—along with Goddess Subhadra and Lord Balabhadra. Founded by Anantavarman Chodaganga Deva of the Eastern Ganga Dynasty in the 12th century CE, this iconic shrine stands as one of the sacred Char Dham pilgrimage sites. Revered globally as the origin of the renowned Rath Yatra, the temple holds immense spiritual, historical, and cultural significance.
The Kamakhya Temple, located atop Nilachal Hill in Guwahati, Assam, is one of the oldest and most revered Shakti Peethas dedicated to Goddess Kamakhya—the embodiment of feminine power and creative energy. Recognized as the principal temple among the ten Mahavidya shrines, Kamakhya represents a unique blend of ancient Tantric traditions and Vedic worship. Initially patronized by the Mlechchha Dynasty, the temple later flourished under the Pala, Koch, and Ahom rulers, evolving into a major pilgrimage destination for devotees across India.
Kashi Vishwanath Temple is one of the most sacred Hindu shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva, revered here as Vishweshwara or Vishwanath, meaning Lord of the Universe. The temple is located in Vishwanath Gali, Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh), on the western bank of the holy River Ganga. Varanasi, historically known as Kashi, is regarded as the oldest living city in the world, and the temple stands at its spiritual core. Kashi Vishwanath is among the twelve Jyotirlingas, the most powerful manifestations of Lord Shiva, making it one of the holiest pilgrimage sites in Hinduism. The word Vishweshwara is derived from Vishva (universe) and Ishwara (supreme ruler), symbolizing Shiva as the absolute cosmic authority.
Kedarnath Temple is one of the most revered Hindu shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva, worshipped here as Kedarnath – the Lord of Kedar (the sacred field). Nestled deep in the Garhwal Himalayas of Uttarakhand, the temple stands at an elevation of approximately 3,583 meters (11,755 feet) on the banks of the Mandakini River, a tributary of the Ganga. Kedarnath is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva and a key pilgrimage site in the Chota Char Dham Yatra of Uttarakhand, along with Badrinath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri. Due to extreme winter conditions, the temple remains open only from late April or early May (Akshaya Tritiya) until Bhai Dooj / Kartik Purnima. During winter, the deity is ceremonially moved to Ukhimath, where worship continues for six months. The name Kedarnath originates from Sanskrit: • Kedara – field • Natha – lord Together, it signifies “The Lord of the Sacred Land.”
Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Temple is one of the most revered Hindu pilgrimage sites in India, dedicated to Mata Vaishno Devi, a manifestation of the Supreme Feminine Power (Shakti). The temple is located in the Trikuta Mountains near Katra, in the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir, at an altitude of approximately 5,200 feet (1,585 meters). The holy shrine is nestled inside a natural cave (Holy Cave) and is traditionally regarded as one of the most important Shakti shrines in the Indian subcontinent. Devotees believe that a pilgrimage to the shrine is not possible without the divine call of the Mother, popularly known as “Mata ka Bulawa.” Millions of pilgrims from India and abroad visit the shrine every year. During major festivals such as Navratri, the number of devotees increases significantly.
Shri Venkateswara Temple, popularly known as Tirupati Balaji Temple, is one of the most sacred and visited Hindu temples in the world. Located on the Tirumala Hills in Tirupati, Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh, the temple is dedicated to Lord Venkateswara, a supreme manifestation of Lord Vishnu. According to sacred tradition, Lord Venkateswara manifested here to protect humanity during the Kali Yuga, and hence Tirumala is revered as “Kaliyuga Vaikuntha”, while the deity is worshipped as “Kaliyuga Pratyaksha Daivam” (the living divine of the Kali Age). The temple is administered by Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), an autonomous body under the Government of Andhra Pradesh, which oversees temple rituals, pilgrim services, accommodation, and donations. Other revered names of the Lord include Balaji, Srinivasa, Govinda, and Venkatachalapati.
Shri Somnath Temple, also known historically as Deo Patan, is one of the most revered Hindu temples dedicated to Lord Shiva, worshipped here as Somnath – the Lord of the Moon. Located at Prabhas Patan near Veraval, on the western coast of Gujarat, the temple stands where the Arabian Sea meets sacred land. Somnath holds unmatched spiritual importance as the first among the twelve Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva. The temple is also situated at the sacred Triveni Sangam, the confluence of the rivers Hiran, Kapila, and the mythological Saraswati, making it an ancient pilgrimage site mentioned in Hindu scriptures. Today, Somnath is not only Gujarat’s most prominent pilgrimage destination but also a symbol of faith, resilience, and cultural continuity.
Shree Siddhivinayak Ganapati Mandir is one of the most revered Hindu temples in India, dedicated to Lord Ganesha, the remover of obstacles and the bestower of wisdom, prosperity, and success. The temple is located in Prabhadevi, Mumbai, Maharashtra, and attracts millions of devotees from India and across the globe every year. The sacred form worshipped here is Shri Siddhivinayak, meaning “Ganesha who grants fulfillment and success.” Over the years, the temple has become a powerful spiritual center, visited by devotees from all walks of life, including artists, industrialists, politicians, and common pilgrims.
Sai Baba of Shirdi, also known as Shirdi Sai Baba, was an Indian spiritual master who was regarded by his devotees as a manifestation of Sri Dattaguru and identified as a saint and a fakir. He was born on October 15, 1918, in Shirdi, India. During and after his lifetime, he was revered by both Hindu and Muslim devotees. Discrimination based on faith or caste was also criticised by Sai Baba. It's unclear if he was a Hindu or a Muslim. To Sai Baba, however, none of this applied. His teachings merged Hindu and Islamic elements: He gave the mosque where he lived the Hindu name Dwarakamayi, followed both Hindu and Muslim rituals, taught using words and figures from both traditions, and died in Shirdi. Allah Malik (God is King) and Sabka Malik Ek (Everyone's Master is One) are several of his well-known epigrams that are associated with both Hinduism and Islam.
Shri Naina Devi Ji Temple is located on a hilltop in the Bilaspur District of Himachal Pradesh, India, near the samadhi of Bhagat Jatt Jeona Morh. National Highway No. 21 connects the temple to the rest of the city. The temple at the top of the hill is accessible by road (which curves around the hill up to a point) and then concrete measures (that finally reach the top). There is also a cable car that transports pilgrims from the bottom to the top of the hill. The Gobind Sagar lake is visible from the Naina Devi hills. The Bhakra-Nangal Dam formed the lake.
Shrinathji Temple is a Hindu temple in Nathdwara dedicated to Shrinathji. Vaishnavas regard it as a significant tourist attraction.
The Sabarimala Sree Dharma Sastha Temple in Kerala is a prominent Hindu shrine dedicated to Lord Ayyappan, son of Shiva and Mohini (a female avatar of Vishnu). Located atop Sabarimala hill in Pathanamthitta district and surrounded by 18 hills within the Periyar Tiger Reserve, it is one of the world’s largest annual pilgrimage sites, attracting 10–15 million devotees annually. The temple is open for worship during Mandala Pooja (Nov–Dec), Makaravilakku (Jan), Maha Thirumal Sankranti (Apr), and the first five days of each Malayalam month. It is noted for integrating diverse religious traditions and restricts entry to women aged 10–50.
The ISKCON Delhi temple which is commonly known as Sri Sri Radha Parthasarathi Mandir, is a well-known Vaishnav temple dedicated to Lord Krishna and Radharani in the form of Radha Parthasarathi. Former Prime Minister of India Atal Bihari Vajpayee and former Chief Minister of Delhi Sahib Singh Verma, as well as Sushma Swaraj, opened the temple on April 5, 1998. It located in the East of Kailash neighborhood of New Delhi, India, near Hare Krishna Hills (near Nehru Place). Dr. Thomas J. Hopkins stated that “He was a truly holy person with immense honesty and compassion, and he had a profound impact on anyone who came into contact with him. He neither claimed authority or respect for himself; everything he said and performed was in the service of Krishna."
Jawala Ji Temple, also recognized as Jwala Devi temple, is one of India's 51 Shaktipeeths and one of the most renowned Shakti Temples. It's designated "Kalidhar" since it's located in the Shivalik range in Kangra valley. The Pandavas are said to have built this as their first temple. Jwala Ji is a Devi Temple in Jawala Mukhi, Kangra district, Himachal Pradesh, dedicated to the "GODDESS OF LIGHT." Sati's tongue was said to have been fallen exactly where the Jwala Devi Temple now exists. The Tongue of Sati is represented by forever burning Holy Flames or Jwala. Jwala Devi temple is an incomparable and one-of-a-kind place of worship. There is no god or idol to be worshipped. It has a succession of natural flames or Jyotis that have been thought to represent the Goddess's sign since time immemorial. Jawala Ji is a wonderful heritage site for people from all over the world, not just those from Jawala Mukhi, Kangra, or Himachal Pradesh. Every year from March to April and September to October, colourful fairs are organized as part of the Navaratra celebration.