13 Popular Temples In North India For Spiritual Bliss (2024)

Renowned temples have great significance for religious people, and when accompanied by a holy bath in a sacred river such as the Ganges, it helps attain liberation. There are many famous temples in North India. The Popular Temple Tourism Destinations in North India that are sacred and sanctified are mentioned here.

India, with its rich heritage, unique traditional, glorious history, cultural diversity, and mythology, believes in austere prayer practices to attain the blessings of thousands of Gods and Goddesses. Devoted to these countless divine beings are innumerable temples where we pray for salvation and peace.

Prayer has always been paramount for revered Hindu saints of India, and they have whispered magical words to attain Gods at these temples. These holy shrines have a story to tell with their majestic looks and opulent architecture.

13 Popular Temples In North India For Spiritual Bliss

Let us take a look at these religious abodes in North India:

1. Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi

Kashi Vishwanath temple, the abode of ‘the ruler of the universe,’ is a majestic temple of Lord Shiva in Varanasi. This culturally rich and renowned temple with almost 800 kg gold plating on its massive tower is sacred and worshipped Jyotirlinga dedicated to Lord Shiva or Mahadev, the Hindu God.

Inside the temple complex lies a well called Jnana Vapi, or wisdom well, and plenty of Indian sculptures. Enshrined in an altar made of silver lies a big 60 cm tall Shivalinga in black stone having a 90 cm circumference. Several smaller shrines are located inside the temple, in a lane called Vishwanatha Galli.

Many foreigners and people from different religions come here to pay their respects to the deity, but only Hindus can visit the Jnana Vapi. Moreover, this temple in North India is exquisitely beautiful because of its intricate carvings and opulent architecture.

2. Vaishno Devi in Jammu & Kashmir:

Deep in the Trikuta hills is the revered shrine of Vaishno Devi Mandir. The “Mata rani” temple is about 13 kms from Katra and takes about 5 hours to reach there. In fact, this temple in North India is a spiritual haven for millions of followers from all over the world.

For many, the mandir, Trikuta, and Vaishnavi are a manifestation and abode of Durga Ma, the Hindu Goddess. The Aarti here has a special significance, and it is said that the goddesses come here to pay their respect to Maa Durga. It’s an arduous climb to reach the temple, and only those devotees can get the “Darbaar” who the Goddess herself has beckoned!

Vaishno Devi temple has deities enshrined in a cave in the form of three naturally shaped rocks called the “Pindies” of Goddesses, namely Mahakali, MahaSaraswati, and Maha Lakshmi. In a year, nearly one crore devotees reach the temple to pay their respects to the Charan Paduka temple, Ardhkuwari, Bhairon Nath Temple, and the Vaishno Devi Bhawan.

3. Badrinath Temple in Uttarakhand:

The Badrinarayan Temple or Badrinath at 10,279 feet is dedicated to God Narayan or Lord Vishnu. This sacred place for Hindus is considered a part of the “Chaar Dham” or “Four pilgrimage” yatra, which is mentioned in 108 Divya Desams of Lord Vishnu.

The pure Badrinath Temple is of great religious importance and attracts thousands of devotees who trudge the difficult path to respect the divine. The temple’s main gate is adorned and painted with countless colors. Also, there are many saints and gods inside the shrine besides Lord Vishnu.

There is a hot spring with curative properties called the Tapt Kund at the Badrinath temple. People visiting the temple celebrate festivals such as the Badri Kedar and Mata Murti Ka mela.

The weather from May to October makes it agreeable for a devotee to visit Badrinath.

The temple is closed on bhatridwityia day every October, and an Akhanda Jyoti lamp is lit to depict the closure. In April, on the auspicious day of Akshaya Tritiya, the Badrinath temple is reopened.

4. Amarnath Temple:

Amarnath temple, also called “A haven for pilgrims,” is an important pilgrimage for devotees of Lord Shiva. In the shrine is a giant icicle in the shape of a Shiva lingam. Millions of devotees from all over the world head to Amarnath cave to pay respects to Lord Shiva, and the journey is termed “Amarnath Yatra.”

According to the legend, Lord Shiva gave Goddess Parvati a discourse on life and eternity here. You can visit Amarnath from July to August, and it is essential to submit a health certificate and application before starting the trek.

5. Golden Temple:

Golden temple, the holy shrine for the Sikh community, is located in Amritsar. The gurudwara has stunningly beautiful golden architecture that leaves the visitor spellbound. Nearly 10,000 people from all religions eat food here daily, and the devotees prepare the food in the community kitchen. Sikhs also call the Harmandir Sahib as Darbar Sahib. The Amrit Sarovar surrounds the central shrine that stands regally in the middle of the holy waters. Around the compound lie more monuments and shrines, and the sounds of the Guru Granth Sahib teachings ring in the compound, reverberating with spirituality.

The Golden temple has Islamic and Hindu architecture styles with white marble carved gold panels, a gold-gilded tomb, and animal and flower ornamentation in pietra dura.

6. Swaminarayan Akshardham Temple in Delhi:

Akshardham Temple, made from Italian Carrara marble and Rajasthani pink sandstone, is a culturally rich spiritual complex dedicated to Lord Swaminarayan in Delhi. This largest comprehensive Hindu temple in the world is the epitome of superb architecture and is famous worldwide and mentioned in the Guinness Book of World Records.

The majestic temple, with its nine domes, is about 141 feet tall, stretched out 316 feet and 356 feet long. The shrine is a blend of different architectural styles in India and has eight flamboyantly carved mandapams. Thousands of precious Hindu teachings and cultural-rich traditions are carved and scribbled on the temple’s walls. An 11-foot-high Lord Swaminarayan’s idol with almost 20,000 idols of other deities, famous personalities, and sages of Indian history is a part of the architecture of Akshardham.

The largest step well in India is at the Akshardham complex, and the Narayan Sarovar, rituals and water show held here with the open garden mesmerizes the visitor. Spiritual seekers can head to the temple to experience bliss and peace amongst the beautifully carved walls.

7. Lotus Temple in Delhi:

The spectacular Lotus temple in Delhi, or the Kamal Mandir as the locals call it, is an architectural wonder that enchants the onlooker. A prime tourist attraction of Delhi, this Baháʼí House of Worship is in the shape of an impressive Lotus flower with its striking white petals. Countless visitors head to this spiritual tourist destination with no specific prayer pattern and no rituals or ceremonies.

The unmatched beauty and excellent modern Indian architecture woo people of different castes, creeds, religions, and cultures. This temple is spread over nearly 9.7 hectares in South Delhi, spreading the message of unity in humanity.

Light and water, the fundamental elements, have been used ingeniously as ornamentation in the temple. The vast prayer hall, carvings, statues, skylights, reflecting pools, and 27 petals designed artistically in three ranks add exquisite beauty to the Lotus temple.

8. Chamunda Devi Temple in Palampur:

Chamunda Devi temple, a shaktipeeth temple made in the 1500s, is located on a hilltop and has great significance for devotees. Lying 10 km near Palampur, on the banks of Baner River, is this revered abode of Goddess Chamundeshwari Devi. During Navratri, people from all over visit here to revere this avatar of Goddess Durga to be a part of temple festivities.

The walls and pillars are carved and painted with scenes from the Ramayan and Mahabharata. Himachal architectural style is predominant in this temple. Moreover, the beauty and serenity of the temple with gurgling waters of the river flowing nearby and the beautiful mountains surrounding it are unexplainable.

The temple does not have exquisite architectural elements but has idols of Chamunda Devi or Raktha Kali, Hanuman Ji, and Lord Bhairava, and a Lord Shiva lingam in a cave. The image of the Goddess is seen from the entrance and is terrifyingly attractive with serpents, scorpions, and skulls. Also, in one corner of the temple lies a rock with the footsteps of Chamunda Devi.

9. Gurudwara Bangla Sahib in Delhi

The white marbled and golden dome Sikh temple, Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, in memory of the 8th Sikh Guru, Guru Har Krishan, is an important tourist destination in Delhi. This splendidly constructed temple was built in 1783 and is open 24 hours a day. Nearly 1000 people visit this holy place daily and pay their respects in the main prayer hall.

The complex of the Gurudwara Bangla Sahib has a holy lake, a museum, a hospital, a library, a Yatri Niwas, and a higher secondary school. The free langar and Kada Prasad are one of the major attractions for the devotees visiting here. Sacred chants ring through the premises of this Gurudwara all 24 hours to remind you of the power of the divine.

10. Brajeshwari Temple in Kangra

The spiritually influenced Brajeshwari Temple in Kangra has exquisite architecture and is situated in the middle of Kangra. The area leading to the temple is a shopper’s delight, and the temple is a shaktipeeth in India. Expansive lines of devotees standing in the sun show the importance of this temple.

Navratras see many followers praying in the temple, and the area is jampacked. An important tourist attraction, the Kangra Devi temple is one of the most visited places in Dharamsala Kangra because of its famous Aarti and the power of Goddess Durga.

11. Bhima Kali Temple in Mandi

Bhima Kali Temple is dedicated to Goddess Bhima Kali and is located in Mandi on the bank of River Beas. The temple hosts statues and idols of different deities, Gods, and Goddesses and showcases them in an age-old museum. Also, legend says that Lord Krishna defeated the demon called Banasura here. A visit to Mandi is incomplete without visiting the Hidimba temple and the Bhima Kali temple.

12. Bharat Mata Mandir in Varanasi

Varanasi, famous for its temples, has a holy place at every corner. One of the most talked-about tourist and religious destinations is the Bharat Mata Mandir. This temple is unique and famous because it pays reverence to Bharat mata or Mother India. People kneel and pray to a relief map of India, but no diety exists here. The map is carved in white marble and was made in 1936.

13. Banke Bihari Mandir in Vrindavan

Vrindavan is the abode of Radha Krishna and is famous for its temples like Radha Vallabh, Shri Banke Bihari Mandir, Shri Govind dev Ji, Radha Damodhar, and Radha Raman. Banke Bihari Mandir is dedicated to Lord Krishna and is in Vrindavan. The temple has a dazzling deity of “Radha Krishna” adorned in Rajasthani- style.

The holy shrine has intricate stonework and stunning arched windows. Lord Krishna is present here in a child-like form and stands bent in three places, and we call it the “Tribhanga position.” No bells or conchs run in the temple premise because the young Krishna is disturbed by the loud sounds. The whole temple rings with the divine invocations and chanting of Radha Naam.

Legend says Swami Haridas once saw Krishna and Radha in their divine form in Nidhivan and requested them to merge into one. This miracle resulted in a charming radiant black idol of the fused Radha Krishna.

India is a land of temples and devotion. It is said that there are millions of temples with historical significance spread out in different regions in the North of India. We have included a few holy shrines in this article. Still, plenty of places need to be explored, such as Dauji temple in Mathura, Augharnath Mandir in Meerut, Nageshwar Jyotirlinga Temple in Dwarka, and Chandi Devi Temple, Haridwar, Brahmayoni Temple in Bodh Gaya, etc. Let’s make do with this small list of Popular Temple tourism Destinations in North India.