Web Notes on Famous Temples of India for SSC (MTS) Preparation

National Monuments and Heritage

Static GK (MTS) SSC (MTS)

Title

45:30

Video Progress

8 of 24 completed

Notes Progress

5 of 15 completed

MCQs Progress

38 of 100 completed

Subjective Progress

8 of 20 completed

Continue to Next Topic

Indian Economy - Understanding the basics of Indian economic system

Next Topic

Study Notes

    Famous Temples of India

    Amarnath Temple

    • Situated in a narrow gorge at the farther end of Lidder Valley, Amarnath Shrine stands at 3,888m, 46 Km from Pahalgam and 14 Kms from Baltal.
    • Though the original pilgrimages subscribes that the yatra (journey) be undertaken from Srinagar, the more common practice is to begin journey at Chandanwari, and cover the distance to Amarnathji and back in five days. Pahalgam is 96 Kms from Srinagar.

    Airavatesvara temple

    • It is a Hindu temple of Tamil architecture located in the town of Darasuram, near Kumbakonam in Tamil Nadu. 
    • This temple, built by Rajaraja Chola II in the 12th century CE is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, along with the Brihadeeswara Temple at Thanjavur, the Gangaikondacholisvaram Temple at Gangaikonda Cholapuram that are referred to as the Great Living Chola Temples.

    Brihadeeswara Temple

    • Brihadeeshwara Temple (Peruvudaiyar Kovil) is a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva located in Thanjavur in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. 
    • It is also known as Periya Kovil, RajaRajeswara Temple and Rajarajesvaram. It is one of the largest temples in India and is an example of Dravidian architecture during the Chola period. Built by emperor Raja Raja Chola I and completed in 1010 AD

    Bahai Temple

    • Built in 1986 at Delhi. 
    • It was designed by Iranian architect Fariborz Sahba.
    • Also known as Lotus Temple.
    • It is a place of worship for every religion & place for meditation.

    Badrinath Temple

    • The Badrinath temple was installed by Adi Shankara. 
    • Located in the Chamoli district in Uttarakhand at the height of 3,133 meters, the pre-eminent abode of Lord Vishnu is one of the holiest of the holy shrines of Char Dham pilgrimage in India. Other Char Dham sites include Dwarka, Puri and Rameswaram.

    Dilwara Temples

    • Dilwara Jain temples in Mount Abu (Rajasthan) enshrine various Jain 'Tirthankaras'. Constructed out of white marble from Arasoori Hill, near Ambaji, 23 km from Abu Road.
    • The ministers of the Solanki rulers of Gujarat had constructed all these temples during 11th and 13th centuries A.D.
    • Vimal Vasahi is the oldest temple, which has been dedicated to Adinath, the first Jain tirthankara. Vimal Shah, minister of the then Solanki ruler of Gujarat, built it in the year 1031 A.D.
    • The other Dilwara temples are the Luna Vasahi, Vastupala and Tejapala, named after the ministers of the then Vaghela ruler of Gujarat who built them in 1230 A.D.

    Dwarakadhish Temple

    • The main temple at Dwarka, situated on Gomti creek, is known as jagat mandir (universal shrine) or trilok sundar (the most beautiful in all the three worlds).
    • Originally believed to be built by Vajranabh, the great grandson of Lord Krishna, more than 2500 years ago, it is a glorious structure seeming to rise from the waters of the Arabian Sea. 

    Golden Temple

    • Sri Guru Ram Dass Ji (4th Sikh Guru) started the digging of Amrit Sarovar (Holy Tank) of Sri Harmandir Sahib in 1577 A.D., which was later on brick-lined by Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji (5th Sikh Guru) on December 15, 1588 and He also started the construction of Sri Harmandir Sahib. Sri Guru Granth Sahib (scripture of the Sikhs), after its compilation, was first installed at Sri Harmandir Sahib on August 16, 1604 A.D. A devout Sikh, Baba Budha Ji was appointed its first Head Priest.

    Gangotri Temple

    • The Gangotri temple was built by the Gorkha General Amar Singh Thapa, in the 18th century, is situated on the left bank of Bhagirathi. The temple is nested amidst the beautiful surroundings of deodars and pines.
    • It lies close to the the holy rock or the “Bhagirath Shila” where King Bhagirath had worshiped Lord Shiva. The Gangotri temple is dedicated to Goddess Ganga and located on the banks of River Bhagirathi.

    Jagannatha Temple

    • Shree Jagannath Puri Temple is one of the most impressing monuments of the Indian State Odisha, was constructed by a famous king of Ganga Dynasty Ananta Varman Chodaganga Deva dating back to 12th century at the seashore Puri. 
    • The main temple of Jagannath is an impressing and amazing structure constructed in Kalinga architecture, with a height of 65 meters placed on an elevated platform. 

    Konark Sun Temple

    • The Konark or Konarak Sun temple is dedicated to the Hindu sun god Surya, and, conceived as a giant stone chariot with 12 wheels, it is the most famous of the few sun temples built in India.
    • It is located about 35 km northeast of the city of Puri on the coastline in the state of Odisha (earlier Orissa). It was built c. 1250 CE by King Narasimhadeva I (r. 1238-1264 CE) of the Eastern Ganga dynasty (8th century CE - 15th century CE). The temple in its present state was declared by UNESCO a World Heritage Site in 1984 CE.

    Kedarnath Temple

    • Kedarnath temple is one of the sacred pilgrimage centre in Northern India, located on the bank of Mandakini river at an altitude of 3584 meters above sea level. 
    • The historical name of this region is "Kedar Khand". 
    • Kedarnath temple is a part of Char Dhams and Panch Kedar in Uttarakhand and one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva in India.

    Kashi Vishwanath

    • Kashi Vishwanath Temple is one of the most famous temple in Varanasi, also known as the Golden temple dedicated to the Lord Shiva. 
    • It was constructed in the year 1780 by the Maratha monarch, Maharani Ahilyabai Holkar of the Indore.
    • The main deity is known by the name Vishvanatha or Vishveshvara meaning Ruler of The Universe.

    Khajuraho Temples

    • The Khajuraho group of temples were built during the rule of Rajput Chandela dynasty. They started building the complex as soon as they rose in power throughout their kingdom, which later came to be known as Bundelkhand. 
    • Most temples were constructed between 950 and 1050 AD during the reigns of Hindu Kings Yasovarman and Dhanga.

    Kamakhya Temple

    • Located on the Nilachal hill in the capital city of Guwahati, the deity of the temple, Kamakhya Devi is revered as the ‘Bleeding Goddess’.
    • King Nara Narayana of Cooch Behar rebuilt the temple in 1665.
    • The Kamakhya Temple had been built in reverence to Goddess Kamakhya or Sati, who was one of the numerous incarnations of Goddess Durga or Goddess Shakti.

    Kailasanathar Temple 

    • The construction of the Kailasanathar Temple began during the rule of Pallava king, Rajasimha (695 AD -722 AD) and was completed in the 8th century by Mahendravarman III, of the Pallava dynasty.
    • Dedicated to Lord Shiva. 
    • The large temple complex has 60 smaller shrines, but one of the most unique aspects is the main idol of Lord Shiva, which has 16 stripes. 

    Lingaraja Temple

    • The Lingaraj Temple is an ancient temple situated in the city of Bhubaneswar and is the largest one situated in the city. 
    • Dedicated to Lord Shiva as the name suggests, the temple was built in the 7th century by the King Jajati Keshari. 
    • It is highly revered because of the fact that the Linga here, which is the phallic form of Lord Shiva, is believed to have appeared naturally.

    Mahabodhi Temple

    • The Mahabodhi Temple Complex in Bodh Gaya is located in the central part of the state of Bihar, in the northeastern part of India. It is the part of the great Ganges plains. The Mahabodhi Temple is located at the place of Lord Buddha's enlightenment. 
    • The first temple was built by Emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century B.C., and the present temple dates from the 5th or 6th centuries. It is one of the earliest Buddhist temples built entirely with brick, still standing in India, from the late Gupta period.

    Meenakshi Temple

    • The history of Meenakshi Temple dates back to the 1st century C.E with scholars claiming it to be as old as the city itself. It is said that Kulashekarar Pandyan, a king who ruled over the Pandyan dynasty, built the temple as per the instructions given in his dream by Lord Shiva.
    • Meenakshi Amman Temple, also known as Minakshi-Sundareshwara Temple, is one of the oldest and most important temples in India. Located in the city of Madurai, the temple has a great mythological and historical significance.

    Padmanabhaswamy Temple

    • The temple was originally built in 6th century A.D., and later beautified further by the Kings of Travancore after 10 centuries. 
    • The royal family of Travancore is believed to be descendants of the adored saint Kulashekhara Alwar. The temple was built almost exactly like the famous Sri Adikesavaperumal Temple at Thiruvattar.
    • The Padmanabhaswamy Temple, in the state of Kerala is the mother of all supernatural sites.

    Rajagopalaswamy Temple

    • The temple was first constructed by Kulothunga Chola I, with bricks and mortar, indicated by various stone inscription found in the site. 
    • The place Mannargudi is termed Sri Rajathi Raja Chathurvedhi Mangalam and the town started to grow around the temple. 
    • Successive kings of the Chola empire, Rajaraja Chola III, Rajendra Chola III and kings of Thanjavur Nayaks, Achyuta Deva Raya expanded the temple.

    Ranganathaswamy Temple

    • Sri ranganatha Swamy Temple was built in 894 AD. However, it underwent many structural changes during varied rulers belonging to Vijayanagar dynasty, Hoysalas, Mysore Wodeyars Kings and Hyder Ali. 
    • These kingdoms contributed to a large extent in the expansion of the temple. Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, Ranganatha Swamy Temple stands beautifully in Srirangapatna (Mandya District), a culturally rich town near Mysore city.

    Ramanathaswamy Temple

    • The Sri Ramanathaswamy Temple in Rameshwaram is renowned for the collection of Shivling it houses. 
    • The temple also happens to be one of the few temples in India that is built entirely in the Dravidian architectural style.

    Somnath Temple

    • The Somnath temple (also known as the Deo Patan) located in Prabhas Patan near Veraval in Saurashtra on the western coast of Gujarat, India is believed to be the first among the twelve jyotirlinga shrines of Shiva.

    Siddhivinayak Temple

    • The Shree Siddhivinayak Ganapati Mandir is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shri Ganesh. 
    • It is located in Prabhadevi, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
    • It was originally built by Laxman Vithu and Deubai Patil on 19 November 1801.

    Suchindram Temple

    • Suchindram Thanumalayan Temple is situated 13 kms from Kanyakumari at Suchindram. 
    • It is also known as Sthanumalayan temple, in which “Sthanu” represents Lord Shiva, “Mal” and “Ayan” represents Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma.

    Shirdi Sai Baba Temple

    • This temple is the main pilgrimage site of the followers of Sai Baba. This temple holds his earthly remains, items that he used every day and other articles of his possession.
    • The Samadhi is built with white marble and the main deity of the temple is built with Italian marble. 

    Shore temple

    • Shore Temple, complex of elegant shrines (c. 700 CE), one among a number of Hindu monuments at Mamallapuram (Mahabalipuram), on the Coromandel Coast of Tamil Nadu state, India. 
    • It is considered the finest early example of medieval southern Indian temple architecture.

    Thillai Natarajah Temple

    • The Nataraj Temple Chidambaram is also referred as Thillai Nataraj Temple. 
    • This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is in the southern state of Tamilnadu in India. 

    Thousand Pillars Temple

    • Located at Warangal, Telangana.
    • It was built in 12th century by the Kakatiya King Rudra Deva. 
    • Dedicated primarily to Lord Shiva, this temple is also known by the name of Sri Rudreshwara Swamy Temple. 
    • At this temple, three deities- Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu and Lord Surya are worshipped. They are known as Trikutalayam. There are three shrines, one for each deity.

    Vitthala Temple

    • The Vittala Temple or Vitthala Temple in Hampi is an ancient monument that is well-known for its exceptional architecture and unmatched craftsmanship.
    • It is considered to be one of the largest and the most famous structure in Hampi. 
    • The temple is located in the north eastern part of Hampi, near the banks of the Tungabhadra River.

    Virupaksha Temple

    • The Virupaksha Temple in Hampi is dedicated to lord Shiva. 
    • This temple was constructed in Lakkana Dandesha’s assistance who was a commander under King Deva Raya II.

    Venkateswara Temple

    • Venkateswara Temple is a Hindu temple situated in the hill town of Tirumala at Tirupati in Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh, India. 
    • The Temple is dedicated to Venkateswara, a form of Vishnu, who is believed to have appeared here to save mankind from trials and troubles of Kali Yuga.

    Yamunotri Temple

    • Dedicated to Goddess Yamuna, Yamunotri Temple lies in the western Garhwal Himalayas at an elevation of about 3,291mts.
    • The second most holy river of India, River Yamuna originates at Yamunotri. Hence, Yamunotri Temple forms one of the four Chota Char Dham pilgrimage sites.

    ProfileResources

    Download Abhipedia Android App

    Access to prime resources

    Downlod from playstore
    download android app download android app for free