Eight 1000-year-old temples in India
Eight 1000-year-old temples in India you probably didn’t know about
he Indian subcontinent is the birthplace of four of the major religions of the world – Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism. As such, it is no surprise that the country is home to some of the oldest and most historic temples of the world. Scattered all across India, these temples take you back in time to an era when life was simpler. Be it the architecture of the temples or art involved in the sculptures and carvings on the walls, everything about these wonderful structures is majestic. Here are 10 temples in India that are more than a 1000 years old and still relatively unknown.
Kailasa temple
Kailasa temple in Ellora
Known to be one of India’s largest rock-cut temples in India, the Kailasa temple is believed to have been built in the 8th century AD. It is located in Maharashtra’s Ellora caves and is a delight for history buffs. With traces of Pallava architecture, the temple is believed to have been carved out of one single rock.
Adi Kumbeswarar temple
Built by the Cholas in the 9th century, the Adi Kumeswarar temple in Tamil Nadu’s Kumbakonam is dedicated to Hindu Lord Shiva. Covering close to 30,000 sq. ft., the Adi Kumeswarar temple is worth a visit as it is one of the finest temples of south India.
Shore temple
Shore temple in Mahabalipuram
Located at Mahabalipuram in Tamil Nadu, the Shore temple was constructed around 700 A.D. during the reign of the Pallava king Narasimhavarman II. This makes it one of the oldest temples in south India. CHECK OUT Most famous temples in south India
Badami Cave Temples
Badami cave temples
Badami is believed to be one of the oldest places of human settlement. Its complex system of rock-cut Hindu, Jain and Buddhist cave temples are worth witnessing for anyone interested in history and archaeology. The temples are believed to go back to 6th century AD during the Chalukya dynasty.
Lad Khan temple
Aihole temple
Part of the historic temple ruins in Aihole, the Lad Khan temple is believed to be the oldest temple in Aihole. It was constructed by the Chalukyas around 5th century AD. Today, it is part of a historic temple complex which makes for an excellent excursion.
Mundeshwari temple
Mundeshwari temple in Bihar: Lakshya2509/Wikimedia Commons
Dedicated to Lord Shiva and his consort Parvati, the Mundeshwari temple in Bihar is one of the oldest temples in the state. Dating back to 108 A.D., the Mundeshwari temple is considered to be the oldest functional temple in the world.
Durga temple
Durga temple in Aihole
Another beautiful temple located in Aihole, the Durga temples is another gem from the Chalukya dynasty. It dates back to the 7th or 8th century. While Durga is a popular Hindu deity, in this case it stands for “protector” as the temple is dedicated to Vishnu and Shiva.
Lingaraja temple
Lingaraja temple in Odisha: Wikimedia Commons
Located in Odisha’s capital city Bhubaneswar, the Lingaraja temple was built in the 6th century AD. Its Kalinga style of architecture is renowned across the globe and makes it a must visit for architecture and history buffs. NOW SEE 10 most famous temples in India you must visit
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