<strong>Golden Temple:</strong> This 16th century Sikh temple in northern India gets its name from a gilded facade said to be covered in pure gold leaf. It's considered the central place of worship of the Sikh religion.
Golden Temple: This 16th century Sikh temple in northern India gets its name from a gilded facade said to be covered in pure gold leaf. It's considered the central place of worship of the Sikh religion.
Ministry of Tourism, Government of India
<strong>Mahabodhi Temple: </strong>An intricately engraved structure of<strong> </strong>white and pink sandstone, Mahabodhi is considered one of the most important sites in the Buddhist religion. It's where Gautama Buddha reached enlightenment under the storied Bodhi Tree.
Mahabodhi Temple: An intricately engraved structure of white and pink sandstone, Mahabodhi is considered one of the most important sites in the Buddhist religion. It's where Gautama Buddha reached enlightenment under the storied Bodhi Tree.
Ministry of Tourism, Government of India
<strong>Meenakshi Temple: </strong>Located in India's southern Tamil Nadu state, the<strong> </strong>Meenakshi Temple is adorned with hundreds, if not thousands, of colorful and ornate sculptures of deities, animals and demons. It's a popular pilgrimage site, drawing an estimated 25,000 visitors a day.
Meenakshi Temple: Located in India's southern Tamil Nadu state, the Meenakshi Temple is adorned with hundreds, if not thousands, of colorful and ornate sculptures of deities, animals and demons. It's a popular pilgrimage site, drawing an estimated 25,000 visitors a day.
Ministry of Tourism, Government of India/Deepak
<strong>Vaishno Devi Temple:</strong> Sitting at the end of a mountainous 12-kilometer trail, this Hindu temple attracts roughly 8 million pilgrims a year.
Vaishno Devi Temple: Sitting at the end of a mountainous 12-kilometer trail, this Hindu temple attracts roughly 8 million pilgrims a year.
Ministry of Tourism, Government of India
<strong>Brihadisvara Temple: </strong>One of the largest temples in southern India, the 11th century<strong> </strong>"Big Temple" is a regal architectural masterpiece of golden stone decorated with ancient frescoes, intricate carvings and various sculptures.
Brihadisvara Temple: One of the largest temples in southern India, the 11th century "Big Temple" is a regal architectural masterpiece of golden stone decorated with ancient frescoes, intricate carvings and various sculptures.
Ministry of Tourism, Government of India
<strong>Lotus Temple:</strong> Built in 1986, this New Delhi temple is one of seven major Bahá'í Houses of Worship around the world. It attracts roughly 10,000 visitors per day.
Lotus Temple: Built in 1986, this New Delhi temple is one of seven major Bahá'í Houses of Worship around the world. It attracts roughly 10,000 visitors per day.
Ministry of Tourism, Government of India/Deepak
<strong>Swaminarayan Akshardham: </strong>The world's largest Hindu temple was completed in 2005 but built in a traditional style. Some 11,000 artisans took five years to craft this New Delhi temple out of regal materials, including Rajasthani pink sandstone and Italian marble.
Swaminarayan Akshardham: The world's largest Hindu temple was completed in 2005 but built in a traditional style. Some 11,000 artisans took five years to craft this New Delhi temple out of regal materials, including Rajasthani pink sandstone and Italian marble.
PRAKASH SINGH/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
<strong>Tirumala Tirupati Balaji Temple: </strong>Andhra Pradesh's busy Tirumala Tirupati Balaji Temple welcomes more than 40 million visitors per year.
Tirumala Tirupati Balaji Temple: Andhra Pradesh's busy Tirumala Tirupati Balaji Temple welcomes more than 40 million visitors per year.
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