Profiles Index

Madurai and the Meenakshi Temples
The southern Indian holy city of Madurai is famous for its beautiful temples. One of the oldest in the sub-continent, this ancient place is more than just a place for pilgrims. Read about the many marvels of the Meenakshi temples of Madurai, aka 'Athens of the East.'

All About the Hindu Temple
Although it is not mandatory for a Hindu to visit a temple regularly, they play a vital role in Hindu society and culture. Learn about the basics of what a Hindu temple is all about.

Temples in India: Badrinath
Badrinath is situated in the Tehri-Garhwal in Uttar Pradesh. It is 10140 feet above the sea level. It is on the banks of Alakananda. The Nara and Narayana, Lakshmi, Narad and Kuver are there. Sri Sankaracharya built this Vishnu temple. The presiding deity is Narayana.

Temples in India: Dwaraka
Dwarka or Dwaraka is one of the four dhamas or abodes of the Lord, the other three being Rameshwaram in the South, Puri in the East and Badrinath in the North. It is one of the greatest pilgrim cities of India. Lord Krishna founded the city of Dwaraka.

Temples in India: Calcutta (Kolkata)
Kalighat temple is three miles from Howrah railway station. At Dakshineshwara on the eastern bank of the Ganges, there is a temple dedicated to Goddess Kali. It is four miles from Calcutta. It was built by a rich Bengali lady Rani Rasmani. There are twelve temples dedicated to Lord Siva.

Temples in India: Kanchipuram
Conjeevaram or Kanchipuram is one of the seven sacred cities of India, the others being Ayodhya, Muttra, Hardwar, Benares, Dwaraka, and Avantika (Ujjain). A pilgrimage to Conjeevaram confers happiness in heaven.

Temples in India: Chidambaram (Chittambalam)
Chidambaram or more correctly—Chittambalam (the atmosphere of wisdom) is about 150 miles south of Madras (Chennai) and seven miles from the coast. It is chiefly noted for the most sacred and celebrated temple of Lord Nataraja.

Temples in India: Chamundi Hill, Mysore City
There is a beautiful temple of the Goddess Chamundi, the Consort of Lord Siva, on the summit of this hill. There is an excellent road which leads up to the top of the hill, which can be reached in about half-an hour.

Temples in India: Kanya Kumari
Cape Comorin or Kanya Kumari is one of the most beautiful places of pilgrimage in India. It has a picturesque scenery. It is a lovely place where continent and ocean meet. There is sea on the three sides. The sacred temple is dedicated to the Goddess Parvathy.

Temples in India: Bhubaneswar
Bhubaneswar is an inland town about 20 miles south of Cuttack. Once it was the proud capital of a large and flourishing kingdom. The founder was Yayati Kesari who expelled the Buddhists and established the Kesari or Lion dynasty of Orissa.

Temples in India: Bombay
There are about 400 temples in Bombay (Mumbai). The most important temples of Bombay are that of Babulnath, Mumba Devi, Maha Lakshmi, Walkeshwar, Prabhadevi and Sri Venkateswar.

Temples in India: Brindawan
Vrindawan or Brindawan signifies the sacred forest, the forest of Brinda where Lord Krishna sported. It is six miles above Muttra on the same side of the river Jumna (Yamuna).

Temples in India: Bhadrachalam
Bhadrachalam is situated on the banks of the river Godavari. It is a sacred place of pilgrimage. It is 24 miles from Bhadrachalam road, the end of a branch line from Dornakal in the Andhra Pradesh. Lord Rama lost his wife, Sita here.

Temples in India: Benares
Benares is the most sacred city of India. It is the centre of Hinduism and Sanskrit learning. Many Sannyasins live here. It is also known by the name Varanashi, a place between the two rivers, Varana and Ashi, springing from the right and left feet of Lord Siva. Lord Buddha preached his new gospel here.

Temples in India: Alwar Tirunagari
Alwar Tirunagari is the birth-place of Nammalwar. It is in the district of Tinnevelly, South India. Festivals in his honour are performed every year. This is also one of the sacred places of pilgrimage in Southern India.

Temples in India: Ayodhya
Ayodhya is six miles from Fyzabad station. There is a railway station in Ayodhya also. Ayodhya is situated in Uttar Pradesh. It is the birth place of Lord Rama. It is the most sacred place of pilgrimage. It is on the banks of Sarayu.

Temples in India: Amarnath
Amarnath is a sacred place in the Himalayas. It is at a distance of 80 miles from Srinagar, Kashmir. There is a huge cave here, sacred to Lord Mahadeva. There is a Siva Linga here naturally formed of ice.