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Quick Answer
India’s most remarkable Hindu temples include Meenakshi Amman in Madurai, Brihadeeswarar in Thanjavur, the rock-cut Kailasa temple at Ellora, Khajuraho, Konark and Kashi Vishwanath in Varanasi. Several restrict entry to Hindus — check before travelling.
These are active places of worship first and monuments second, which is what makes them remarkable: many have been in continuous ritual use for eight hundred years or more. Visiting well means understanding the etiquette as much as the architecture.
10 Remarkable Hindu Temples
1. Meenakshi Amman, Madurai
Tamil Nadu’s masterpiece — fourteen gopurams covered in thousands of painted figures, surrounding a temple complex still in daily use by thousands of worshippers.
2. Brihadeeswarar, Thanjavur
A UNESCO-listed Chola temple from the 11th century, built entirely of granite with a vimana over 60 metres tall.
3. Kailasa Temple, Ellora
Carved downward out of a single rock face — not built but excavated, removing hundreds of thousands of tonnes of stone.
4. Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh
Famous for its sculpture, though the erotic carvings are a small fraction of what is otherwise an extraordinary body of Chandela temple architecture.
5. Konark Sun Temple, Odisha
Conceived as the sun god’s chariot, with twenty-four carved stone wheels that function as sundials.
6. Kashi Vishwanath, Varanasi
One of the twelve Jyotirlingas, at the heart of India’s most sacred city on the Ganges.
7. Golden Temple approach — Virupaksha, Hampi
Hampi’s oldest functioning temple, still active among the ruins of the Vijayanagara empire.
8. Somnath, Gujarat
Rebuilt many times across its history, standing on the Arabian Sea coast at the site of one of the most revered Jyotirlingas.
9. Jagannath Temple, Puri
One of the four Char Dham pilgrimage sites, and the origin of the annual Rath Yatra chariot festival. Entry is restricted to Hindus.
10. Padmanabhaswamy, Thiruvananthapuram
A Kerala temple of extraordinary wealth and strict dress code, with entry restricted to Hindus.
Visiting respectfully
Remove shoes before entering — usually at a designated stand outside, sometimes for a small fee. Dress modestly: shoulders and knees covered for everyone, and some temples require men to remove shirts or wear a dhoti, which can be hired at the entrance. Several temples restrict entry to Hindus, including Jagannath in Puri and Padmanabhaswamy in Thiruvananthapuram; this is enforced, so check before making a long journey.
Photography is often prohibited inside the sanctum even where it is allowed in the outer courtyards — look for signage and ask if unsure. Leather items including belts and wallets are barred at some temples. Avoid pointing your feet toward the deity or other worshippers when sitting, walk clockwise around the sanctum, and step aside during active worship rather than photographing it. Major festivals bring enormous crowds; they are extraordinary to witness but not the time for a first visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can non-Hindus enter Hindu temples in India?
Most welcome all visitors, but some — including Jagannath in Puri and Padmanabhaswamy in Kerala — restrict entry to Hindus and enforce it.
What should you wear?
Shoulders and knees covered. Some temples require men to remove shirts or wear a dhoti, usually available to hire at the entrance.
Which is the most impressive?
Meenakshi Amman in Madurai for scale and colour; Kailasa at Ellora for sheer engineering — it was carved downward from solid rock.
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