Five Temples You Must Visit when Traveling to South India

Not wrong to call India, a country of temples and Gods. There are umpteen number of big and small temples in India, some as small as to accommodate a tiny idol and nothing more, and as large as sprawling over acres of land. These temples are not just significant places of worship for the Hindus, many of them have gained popularity as important architectural landmarks. Thousands of visitors flock to these magnificent temples only to admire the unique craftsmanship of the builders and hear about the intriguing historical stories these house of Gods hold.

Among the countless temples in the country, it is in South India, that some of the biggest and grandest are located. So, if you happen to be on a trip to India, don’t miss out  to grab best last minute flight deals to India on visiting some of the finest among them. Given below is a list of the top 5 temples, every tourist must see when traveling to the southern part of the Indian sub-continent:

Siddhivinayak

The Siddhivinayak Temple in Mumbai is one of the most visited temples in India. This temple dedicated to the worship of Lord Ganesha, was once a small place which evolved into a grand temple down the years. The temple garnered huge popularity owing to frequent visits by the powerful politicians and Bollywood stars. Today, it has become one of the must visit tourist spots in the city. The who’s who of the world make it to the doors of Siddhivinayak when on your cheap flights to Mumbai.

Murdeshwara

The Murdeshwara temple is situated on the Kanduka Hill, surrounded with waters of the Arabian Sea  on three sides. The temple is dedicated to the worship of Lord shiva, who is also known by the name of Murdeshwara. The main temple structure which is a 237.5-feet-tall Raja Gopura, also has a lift installed, so that people can reach atop and have a splendid view of the 123 feet Shiva statue that stands a few meters in front. This breath-taking statue is the second largest idol of Lord Shiva in the entire world and can be viewed from great distances in the city. Indeed one of the most spectacular temples to visit in South India on taking flights to India.

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Ramanathaswamy Temple, Rameshwaram

What attracts tourists from all over the world to this temple is its spectacular pillared-hallway. It is known to be the longest in India. Apart from the beautiful carved pillars, the ceiling is no less an artistic and aesthetic delight. The temple is situated just 100 meters from the sea, and it is a ritual to bathe in the sea before entering the temple complex. Inside there are 22 wells where too devotees bathe, for the holy water is said to purify the soul. The temple is dedicated to Lord Rama. Witness the bliss in the atmosphere at this temple after taking flights to India from the USA. 

Tirupati Venkateswara Temple, Tirumala

The Venkateswara temple in Trimula town at Tirupati is famed as the richest Hindu temple not just in India, but worldwide. The temple is dedicated to the incarnation of Lord Vishnu, Venkateswara. The daily visitations to this glorious temples are as high as 50,000 to 100,000. The sprawling temple structure was built in the Dravidian style of architecture, with the gold plated dome showcasing its wealth. To reach the top of the hill, devotees climb up 4000 steps, even one can easily opt for a bus service right till the complex entrance.

Meenakshi Temple

The temple situated on the banks of river Vaigai in the city of Maduarai is known for it’s splendid sculptures. The temple is dedicated to the worship of Lord Shiva and his consort Goddess Parvati, who are known by the name of Sundareshwara and Meenakshi respectively, in these parts. The temple is spread across an area of 15 acres, with 12 towers and around 4500 pillars.At the core of the grand enclosed structure are two sanctums for the main idols, but the key highlight remains the outer wall sculptures which are indeed works of architectural excellency.

So are you ready for a religious trip to South India? Then grab the cheapest flights from Houston to Chennai (or from wherever you are residing) and embark upon an enlightening and delightful the journey from one temple to another, exploring the best of Southern India.