15 Famous Hindu Temples in South India

South of India has some of the most beautiful temples in the country that one can explore on their South India Temple tour The rich history, surreal architecture and incredible culture are what make these temples stand apart from the rest. Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka are the popular cities in the country that boast of finest temples which are frequented by thousands of visitors here to worship and to experience the beauty of these temples in their purest forms.   What set these temples apart from the temples in rest of the country are their grand structures which are usually done beautifully in Vijayanagara and Dravidian style. The legendary history and stories behind these temples are equally intriguing and interesting. We have curated a list of the 15 finest temples in south of India for you to glance at them and create an itinerary:

Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai

Some 2600 years old and spread across an area of 17 acres, lies the spectacular Meenakshi Amman Temple or Meenakshi Amman Kovil in the city of Madurai. The intricate architecture of the temple is to swear by. The city of Madurai is built around the temple which is dedicated to Goddess Parvati. The legend is that Lord Shiva and Meenakshi got married here.

Tirumala Venkateswara Temple, Tirupati

In order to seek the blessings of Tirupati Balaji, devotees climb some 4000 steps of this temple. Perched on a hilltop in the city of Andhra Pradesh state, Tirupati Temple is an exquisite example of one of the finest Dravidian architecture. It stands tall with a five story Gopuram (tower), under which lies the main entrance to the temple. Dedicated to Lord Venkateswara, it is also known as Venkateswara Swamy Temple.

Pattadakal

Built around 7^th and 8^th century, these temples in Pattadakal are a UNESCO site and are popular for its splendid architecture. The early Chalukyas built these huge complexes of temples to coronate and commemorate the royals. The temples are located in the district of Bagalkot, Karnataka. All the temples here are dedicated to Lord Shiva and face east.

Ramanathswamy Temple, Rameswaram

Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the temple is one of the 12 Jyotirlinga temples in the country. It is said that Lord Rama prayed to Lord Shiva to seek forgiveness for the intention of killing Ravana because Ravana was Shiva’s devotee. The temple has 3000 feet long corridor, which supposedly the longest corridor amongst all the Hindu temples in the world.

Virupaksha Temple, Hampi

The temple in Hampi had been constructed and modified by several rulers of that time. The temple has been designated as a UNESCO world heritage site. This one is considered as the best construction of Vijayanagar Empire. The temple is dedicated to Lord Virupaksha which is a form of Shiva.

Vittala Temple, Hampi

Situated on the banks if River Tungabhadra on the north eastern part of Hampi, Vittala Temple has an interesting history of its own. It is the biggest and most visited temple in Hampi.  The mystical musical pillars in the temple are the striking features. The temple was erected during the reign of King Devaraya II between 1422-1446 AD and is dedicated to Lord Vittala, form of Lord Vishnu.

Shri Krishna Temple, Guruvayur

Shri Krishna Temple aka Guruvayurappan Temple is located in Kerala. The temple is one of the most noted temples for Lord Krishna. It is said that the idol of Lord Krishna is some 5000 years old. The tank inside the temple is believed to be the site where Lord Shiva and his family worshipped Lord Vishnu. The temple is most crowded during Janmashtmi and is considered to be Dwarka of south of India.

Brihadeswara Temple, Thanjavur

One of the grandest temples in south of India, Brihadeswara Temple is also known as Rajarajesvaram or Peruvudaiyār Kovil. The highlight of the temple is that it is completely constructed with granite and is the first one in the world. The temple was built in 1010 CE by Raja Chola in Thanjavur. Another important feature of this temple is that it doesn’t cast any shadow and is popularly known as Big Temple. It is also designated as the UNESCO world heritage site and is a splendid example of Dravidian architecture.

Mookambika Temple, Kollur

Constructed on the Kodachadri hills in Kollur, Mookambika Temple is dedicated to Goddess Mookambika, symbol of Shakti (power). It is among the most famous Hindu temples in south India. Legends state that Kaumasura was killed here by Goddess Parvati when he didn’t stop harassing the village people despite the warnings. The temple is believed to be built 1200 years ago. The temple houses a three-eyed idol of the Goddess and there lies a Shivalingam in front of the idol. Navratri is celebrated here in full form.  

Padmanabhaswamy Temple, Thiruvananthapuram

Padmanabhaswamy Temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and is among the richest temples in India. The temple has six hidden vaults inside believed to contain precious treasures; the most interesting fact is that vault B is the most mysterious and has been warned not to be opened by any human force. Located in the southern state of India, Kerala, the temple has a distinctive blend of both Tamil and Kerala style of architecture.  Festivals Alpashy and Panguni are celebrated here in full bloom. The idol of Lord Vishnu is in reclining position known as Anantha Shayanam.

Shore Temple, Mahabalipuram

There are many stories linked to the temple, one of them being that Ravana was forced to place the Atmalinga given to him by Lord Shiva on the ground of Gokarna. He was forced by Lord Vishnu and then, the temple was erected. With a spectacular backdrop of Bay of Bengal, Shore Temple has absolutely breath taking view and architecture. The temple has been declared the world heritage site by UNESCO and houses many deities, signifying the religious tolerance of the rulers of that time. The idol of deity inside the temple is believed to be 1500 years old.

Ranganathaswamy Temple, Srirangam

One of the most famous Hindu temples in India, Ranganathaswamy Temple is dedicated to Lord Ranganath, a manifestation of Lord Vishnu and one can witness the reclining idol of Lord Vishnu here.  It is one of the five sacred pilgrimage sites known as Panchranga Kshetrams It has been declared as one of the world heritage sites by UNESCO, and the structure boats of Vijayanagar architecture. The temple has witnessed modification and renovation since it was first erected. The temple is the largest functioning Hindu temple in the world.

Suchindram Temple, Suchindram

Suchindram Temple is also known as Thanumalayan Temple and is located 11 kms from Kanyakumari in the district of Kanyakumari. The striking feature of the temple is that it is dedicated to the Trinity of God; Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma. The structure consists of 30 shrines and boasts of extraordinary architecture. The temple is believed to be constructed in 17^th century; however, a part of the temple can be traced back to 8^th to 15^th century. There are many legendary stories linked to the temple. Car festival is the most popular celebrated at the temple apart from Avani festival and Chithirai festival.

Chamundeshwari Temple, Mysore

Located at a distance of 13 kms from the popular Mysore Palace in the state of Karnataka, Chamundeshwari Temple is named after Goddess Durga, manifestation of Shakti (power). The temple is beautifully constructed on Chamundi Hills in Mysore by the Hoysala dynasty. However, it is believed to have been rebuilt by the Maharajas of Mysore. Devotees have to climb 3000 steps to worship the Goddess. The temple also houses the idols of Nandi cow and Mahishasur- the demon. The temple is usually not too crowded because of its high altitude location. The Chamundeshwari Temple is one of the 18 Shakti Peethas in the country.

Airavateswara Temple, Kumbakonam

Although the temple is smaller when compared to other popular temples among the living Chola temples, Airavatesvara Temple is a known example of intricate architecture and stone carving. The temple is located in the city of Darasuram in the state of Tamil Nadu. The temple is named after Lord Indra’s elephant Airavatha and was built between 12^th to 13^th century and is designated as a world heritage site by UNESCO.