Island Temples in India

Being the birth land of the traditions of Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism, and Sikhism; India has become a land of people of different religious beliefs. Hinduism is the predominant religion in the country. There are temples in every corner in India, some are small and some are gigantic pieces of art and architecture built over years, be it in the mountains or in a remote jungle. These temples are flocked by masses of people over the years to celebrate their belief in God. In this blog, I will be sharing some of the known or lesser-known temples of India which are located on islands that have been the greatest part of Indian history as well as world history.

Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, Tiruchirappalli, Tamilnadu

Located in Srirangam, Tiruchirappalli in Tamilnadu, this magnificent temple is one of the famous temples in South India and amongst the most visited places in Tamilnadu. With an enriching history, this temple is considered to be the world’s largest functioning Hindu temple. Located in Srirangam (a river island) this temple is bounded by the Kaveri river on one side and its distributary Kollidam on the other side. Srirangam is home to a significant population of Sri Vaishnavites (followers of Lord Vishnu).

This temple is dedicated to Lord Rangnatha, a form of Lord Vishnu in a reclining pose. A Dravidian style of architecture, this temple houses the tallest Gopuram or temple tower across South India. The temple complex houses several chariots namely Garuda vahana, Simhavahana, Hanumanthavahana, and Seshavahan which are used during festivals and various religious occasions.

Umananda Temple, Guwahati, Assam

Umananda Devaloi temple dedicated to Lord Shiva; situated on a hillock in the middle of the Brahmaputra river at the Umananda Island, Guwahati. Umananda is known as the smallest inhabited riverine island in the world. It can be reached by local boats. Umananda is also known as Bhasmachal (Peacock Island) where Lord Shiva is believed to have turned Kamdev, the God of Love. The temple attracts devotees from all over the country, especially during the ‘Mahashivaratri’ festival.

Elephanta Caves, Mumbai, Maharashtra

Elephanta island is anciently known as Gharapuriis a home to the Elephanta caves which have one of the most splendid historic monuments. Situated at 10 kilometers from Mumbai Harbour, it takes approx. 30 minutes to reach there by boat ride.

The Elephanta cave is a collection of seven caves, there are sculptured compartments in this cave with remarkable images of Ardhanarisvara, Kalyana-sundara Shiva, Ravana lifting Kailasa, Andhakari-Murti (slaying of Andhaka demon), and Nataraja Shiva. The other two are Buddhist caves and Stupas. Elephanta has been given the status of a world heritage site by UNESCO.

Shri Keshavraiji Temple, Bet Dwarka, Gujrat

An ancient temple dedicated to Lord Krishna was built by the Pushkarna Brahmin community near the holy lake of “Shankh Sarovar”. The temple is located 1km from Beyt Jetty and Dwarkadhish temple. The architecture of the temple is very simple, it features white arches. The domes are of two types – curved and flat. The idol of the Lord is in black stone ornamented with beautiful clothes and jewelry. Bet Dwarka is very popular amongst the devotees & there are many temples which are dedicated to Lord Krishna.

Bathukiladi, Kangra, Himachal Pradesh

A very mystifying place located in the district of Kangra, Himachal Pradesh Bathu temples is a group of temples submerged in Maharana Pratap Sagar, a reservoir created by Pong dam in the early 1970s. The main temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva & Parvati. The origin of the temple is still not confirmed. As per common local belief, it was built by a local king who ruled the region whereas other belief says that the temple was built by the Pandavas. These temples can only be witnessed from May to June when the water level drops which makes this temple very unique.

One can reach the site by boat from Dhameta and Nagrota Surian and accessible by road from Jawali. The distinctive architecture of the temple makes it very different from other temples. The temples made up of Bathu stone which is very powerful & because of the same, there is no major damage to the structure. There are beautiful stone carvings of Lord Ganesha & Goddess Kali, inside one of the temples there is a statue of Lord Vishnu resting on his Shesh Naag.

I hope this blog surely made you intrigued that you want to explore these stunning and unique temples. So whenever you plan a vacation in any of these regions, make sure to include these magnificent places in your journey. We at Trinity World Holidays can help you plan a splendid vacation, you can call us on 1800 266 5588 or visit our website www.trinityairtravel.com

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