Dravidian Architecture

The Virupaksha Temple in Hampi, Karnataka, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the oldest functioning temple in India, dedicated to Lord Shiva as Virupaksha.

The Vishalakshi Temple, located in the narrow lanes of Mir Ghat near the Ganges in Varanasi, is one of the 51 Shakti Peethas where the earrings of Goddess Sati are…

Perched on a hillock, this granite temple is a primary site for Delhi's South Indian community, dedicated to Lord Swaminatha.

Known as the Ayodhya of the South, this temple on the Godavari river was built by the legendary devotee Bhakta Ramadasu.

A popular cave temple that recently underwent a massive stone architectural renovation following ancient traditions.

One of the only two prominent Saraswati temples in India, it is a primary center for Akshara Abhyasam for children.

Known as 'Dakshina Kasi', this Shiva temple is a symbol of communal harmony, housing a Dargah within its complex.

Historic lakeside Shakti shrine in Warangal featuring a massive 2.7-meter black stone Bhadrakali idol, traditionally attributed to Chalukya ruler Pulakeshin II (625 CE) and rebuilt by Kakatiya king Ganapati Deva.

Located at a river confluence, it uniquely houses two Shiva Lingams representing Lord Shiva and Lord Yama on one pedestal.

The Airavatesvara Temple at Darasuram, built by Rajaraja Chola II between 1146 and 1172 CE, is one of the three UNESCO World Heritage 'Great Living Chola Temples.' It is renowned…

The Gangaikonda Cholapuram Temple, built by Rajendra Chola I in 1035 CE, is a UNESCO World Heritage 'Great Living Chola Temple.' Its 53-metre vimana with recessed corners and six pairs…

Kampaheswarar Temple in Tribhuvanam, built by Kulothunga Chola III in 1202 CE, is one of the later great Chola temples and completes the quartet of magnificent Chola stone temples alongside…

Koranganatha Temple, built during the reign of the Chola king Parantaka I (907-955 CE) at Srinivasanallur near Tiruchirappalli, is a well-preserved example of early Chola architecture with exquisite stone carvings.

Olakkaneswara Temple, located on a rocky outcrop at the southern end of Mahabalipuram beach, was built by the Pallavas in the 7th century.

Built by the Pallava king Nandivarman II in the 8th century (circa 770 CE), the Vaikuntha Perumal Temple in Kanchipuram is a key monument of Pallava architecture featuring three tiers…

Arunachaleswarar Temple at the foot of Arunachala Hill in Tiruvannamalai is one of the largest Shiva temples in the world, covering 25 acres.

Ekambareswarar Temple in Kanchipuram represents the earth element (Prithvi) of the Pancha Bhoota Sthalas.

Jambukeswarar Temple in Thiruvanaikaval represents the water element (Apas) of the Pancha Bhoota Sthalas.

Chidambaram Nataraja Temple represents the space element (Akasha) of the Pancha Bhoota Sthalas.

The largest functioning Hindu temple in the world, a temple-city spanning 156 acres with seven concentric walls, 21 gopurams, and the foremost of the 108 Divya Desams.

The oldest structure in Kanchipuram, built in the 8th century; it served as the inspiration for the Tanjavur Brihadeeswarar.

The Ramanathaswamy Temple in Rameswaram is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas and a Char Dham site, famous for its magnificent thousand-pillared corridors, the longest temple corridor in the world, and…

The Meenakshi Temple in Madurai is a masterpiece of Dravidian architecture with 14 towering gopurams, the legendary Hall of Thousand Pillars, and the living tradition of worship of Goddess Meenakshi…

One of the twelve Jyotirlingas and the southernmost among them, Mallikarjuna Temple at Srisailam is uniquely also a Shakti Peetha where the goddess Bhramaramba is worshipped alongside Shiva.

The wealthiest religious institution in the world, this ancient temple houses a massive 18-foot reclining Vishnu visible through three doors and a 7-tier gopuram with equinox sun alignment.

Perched atop Chamundi Hills at 3,489 feet, the Chamundeshwari Temple is the tutelary shrine of the Wodeyar dynasty of Mysore.

Home to the world's second-tallest Shiva statue (123 feet) and a massive 20-story Raja Gopuram overlooking the Arabian Sea.

A world-famous 13th-century temple where the deity is worshipped through a silver-plated window with nine holes, known as Kanakana Kindi.

A world-renowned temple where Lord Subramanya is worshipped as the lord of all serpents, famous for Sarpa Dosha Nivaran rituals.

A major Shakti Peetha located in the tribal heartland of Bastar, where the tooth of Sati is believed to have fallen.

The Brihadeeswarar Temple in Thanjavur, built by Raja Raja Chola I in the 11th century, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the tallest Shiva temple in India, crowned by…

Kanaka Durga Temple, situated on the Indrakeeladri Hill on the banks of the Krishna River in Vijayawada, is a popular Shakti temple in South India.

Ahobilam, situated in the dense Nallamala forest of Kurnool district, is the sacred landscape where Lord Narasimha — the half-man, half-lion avatar of Vishnu — is believed to have manifested…

Amaralingeswara Temple, located in Amaravati on the southern bank of the Krishna River, is the foremost of the Pancharama Kshetras — the five ancient Shiva temples of coastal Andhra Pradesh.

Srikalahasti Temple, situated on the banks of the Swarnamukhi River at the foot of Srikalahasti hill in Tirupati district, is dedicated to Lord Shiva as Srikalahasteeswara.

Tirumala Venkateswara Temple, situated in the hill town of Tirumala in Tirupati district, is dedicated to Lord Venkateswara, an incarnation of Vishnu.

An ancient Ganesha sanctuary in Puducherry's French Quarter predating French colonial rule, renowned for its 7.5-kilogram golden chariot, ornate Dravidian gopuram, and intricate wall paintings depicting Vinayagar legends.

Historic Shaivite temple in Puducherry's Heritage Town dedicated to Lord Shiva as Vedapureeswarar; rebuilt in 1788 following colonial destruction, showcasing a towering 75-foot rajagopuram and ancient Vedic traditions.

The premier 11th-century Chola-era Vaishnavite temple in Puducherry, housing Lord Varadaraja Perumal and Perundevi Thayar with a vivid multi-tiered gopuram, sculpted pillars, and traditional temple tank.

Monumental 12th-century Chola dynasty Shiva shrine in Villianur with historic stone inscriptions, majestic gopurams, a sacred tank, and a towering 15-metre wooden chariot drawn during the annual Brahmotsavam.

A vibrant South Indian shrine in Port Blair modeled after Chennai's Kandakottam Temple, featuring a colorful multi-tiered Dravidian gopuram, daily pujas to Lord Murugan, and serving as a focal point…

Traditional Dravidian temple in Goleghar, Port Blair, enshrining a rare Valampuri (right-trunked) Lord Ganesha idol carved to Agama Shastra standards, serving as a primary Tamil cultural sanctuary.

The world's largest monolithic rock-cut structure, carved top-down from a single basalt cliff.

A UNESCO World Heritage site showcasing the unique blend of Nagara and Dravidian temple architecture from the Chalukya dynasty.

One of the oldest structural stone temples of South India, built by the Pallava dynasty on the Bay of Bengal coast.