Which are the most ancient temples in India?

SANTOSH KULKARNI
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 India is home to some of the oldest and most ancient temples, many of which date back thousands of years. These temples are not just places of worship but also architectural and historical marvels. Here are some of the most ancient temples in India:

1. Mundeshwari Temple (Bihar) – 108 AD

πŸ“ Location: Kaimur, Bihar
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Deity: Lord Shiva & Goddess Shakti
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Significance:

  • Considered the oldest functional temple in India.
  • Built during the Saka era, it features Nagara-style architecture.

2. Kedarnath Temple (Uttarakhand) – Over 3,000 Years Old

πŸ“ Location: Uttarakhand
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Deity: Lord Shiva
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Significance:

  • One of the 12 Jyotirlingas and part of the Chota Char Dham pilgrimage.
  • Said to have been built by the Pandavas and later reconstructed by Adi Shankaracharya.

3. Brihadeeswarar Temple (Tamil Nadu) – 1010 AD

πŸ“ Location: Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu
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Deity: Lord Shiva
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Significance:

  • Built by Raja Raja Chola I during the Chola dynasty.
  • Made entirely of granite, with a 216-ft tall vimana (tower).

4. Konark Sun Temple (Odisha) – 1250 AD

πŸ“ Location: Konark, Odisha
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Deity: Sun God (Surya)
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Significance:

  • Built by King Narasimhadeva I of the Eastern Ganga dynasty.
  • Designed in the shape of a gigantic chariot with 12 wheels.

5. Kailasa Temple (Ellora, Maharashtra) – 8th Century

πŸ“ Location: Ellora Caves, Maharashtra
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Deity: Lord Shiva
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Significance:

  • monolithic rock-cut temple, carved from a single rock.
  • Built during the reign of Rashtrakuta king Krishna I.

6. Virupaksha Temple (Karnataka) – 7th Century

πŸ“ Location: Hampi, Karnataka
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Deity: Lord Shiva
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Significance:

  • Built during the Vijayanagara Empire.
  • Part of the Hampi UNESCO World Heritage Site.

7. Shore Temple (Tamil Nadu) – 700-728 AD

πŸ“ Location: Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu
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Deity: Lord Shiva & Lord Vishnu
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Significance:

  • Built by Pallava king Narasimhavarman II.
  • One of the oldest structural stone temples in South India.

8. Lingaraj Temple (Odisha) – 11th Century

πŸ“ Location: Bhubaneswar, Odisha
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Deity: Lord Shiva (Harihara form)
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Significance:

  • A masterpiece of Kalinga architecture.
  • The main tower is 180 feet high.

9. Meenakshi Temple (Tamil Nadu) – 6th Century BC (Rebuilt in 12th Century)

πŸ“ Location: Madurai, Tamil Nadu
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Deity: Goddess Meenakshi (Parvati) & Lord Sundareswarar (Shiva)
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Significance:

  • Originally built by the Pandya kings, later expanded by the Nayak rulers.
  • Famous for its 1,000-pillared hall and towering gopurams.

10. Jagannath Temple (Odisha) – 12th Century

πŸ“ Location: Puri, Odisha
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Deity: Lord Jagannath (Krishna), Balabhadra, and Subhadra
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Significance:

  • One of the Char Dham pilgrimage sites.
  • Famous for the Rath Yatra (chariot festival).

These temples reflect India’s rich spiritual and architectural heritage, spanning thousands of years. Many of them are still active places of worship, attracting millions of devotees and tourists.

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