Dravidian Architecture Temples
Temples built in the South Indian Dravidian style with towering gopurams and pyramidal vimanas.
50 temples
Ahobilam Narasimha Temple
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…
Airavatesvara Temple
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…
Amaralingeswara Temple
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.
Arunachaleswarar Temple
Arunachaleswarar Temple at the foot of Arunachala Hill in Tiruvannamalai is one of the largest Shiva temples in the world, covering 25 acres.
Bhadrachalam Sita Ramachandra Swamy Temple
Known as the Ayodhya of the South, this temple on the Godavari river was built by the legendary devotee Bhakta Ramadasu.
Bhadrakali Temple Warangal
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.
Brihadeeswarar Temple
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…
Chamundeshwari Temple
Perched atop Chamundi Hills at 3,489 feet, the Chamundeshwari Temple is the tutelary shrine of the Wodeyar dynasty of Mysore.
Danteshwari Temple
A major Shakti Peetha located in the tribal heartland of Bastar, where the tooth of Sati is believed to have fallen.
Ekambareswarar Temple
Ekambareswarar Temple in Kanchipuram represents the earth element (Prithvi) of the Pancha Bhoota Sthalas.
Gangaikonda Cholapuram Temple
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…
Gnana Saraswati Temple Basar
One of the only two prominent Saraswati temples in India, it is a primary center for Akshara Abhyasam for children.
Hoysaleswara Temple
The Hoysaleswara Temple in Halebidu, built circa 1121-1160 CE, is the largest Shiva temple built by the Hoysalas.
Jambukeswarar Temple
Jambukeswarar Temple in Thiruvanaikaval represents the water element (Apas) of the Pancha Bhoota Sthalas.
Kailasa Temple, Ellora
The world's largest monolithic rock-cut structure, carved top-down from a single basalt cliff.
Kailasanathar Temple Kanchipuram
The oldest structure in Kanchipuram, built in the 8th century; it served as the inspiration for the Tanjavur Brihadeeswarar.
Kaleshwara Mukteswara Swamy Temple
Located at a river confluence, it uniquely houses two Shiva Lingams representing Lord Shiva and Lord Yama on one pedestal.
Kampaheswarar Temple
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…
Kanaka Durga Temple
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.
Kedareshwara Temple
The Kedareshwara Temple at Halebidu, built in 1319 CE by the Hoysala king Veera Ballala III, is a Hoysala-era temple dedicated to Lord Shiva.
Keshava Temple
The Keshava Temple at Somanathapura, built in 1268 CE by Somanatha Dandanayaka, a general of the Hoysala king Narasimha III, is one of the finest surviving examples of Hoysala architecture.
Koranganatha Temple
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.
Kukke Subramanya Temple
A world-renowned temple where Lord Subramanya is worshipped as the lord of all serpents, famous for Sarpa Dosha Nivaran rituals.
Lakshminarasimha Temple
The Lakshminarasimha Temple at Nuggehalli, built in 1246 CE by the Hoysala king Vira Someshwara, is a well-preserved example of Hoysala architecture dedicated to Lord Narasimha (the half-man half-lion avatar…
Manakula Vinayagar Temple
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.
Meenakshi Temple
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…
Monuments at Pattadakal
A UNESCO World Heritage site showcasing the unique blend of Nagara and Dravidian temple architecture from the Chalukya dynasty.
Murudeshwar Temple
Home to the world's second-tallest Shiva statue (123 feet) and a massive 20-story Raja Gopuram overlooking the Arabian Sea.
Murugan Temple
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…
Nataraja Temple
Chidambaram Nataraja Temple represents the space element (Akasha) of the Pancha Bhoota Sthalas.
Olakkaneswara Temple
Olakkaneswara Temple, located on a rocky outcrop at the southern end of Mahabalipuram beach, was built by the Pallavas in the 7th century.
Padmanabhaswamy Temple
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.
Pancha Rathas
The Pancha Rathas (Five Chariots) are a set of five monolithic temple structures carved from single granite outcrops during the reign of Narasimhavarman I (Mamalla, 630-668 CE) in Mahabalipuram.
Ramanathaswamy Temple
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…
Shore Temple, Mahabalipuram
One of the oldest structural stone temples of South India, built by the Pallava dynasty on the Bay of Bengal coast.
Sri Gokilambal Thirukameswar Temple
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.
Sri Karpaga Vinayakar Temple
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.
Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple
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.
Srikalahasti Temple
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.
Srisailam Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple
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.
Tirumala Venkateswara Temple
Tirumala Venkateswara Temple, situated in the hill town of Tirumala in Tirupati district, is dedicated to Lord Venkateswara, an incarnation of Vishnu.
Udupi Sri Krishna Temple
A world-famous 13th-century temple where the deity is worshipped through a silver-plated window with nine holes, known as Kanakana Kindi.
Uttara Swami Malai Mandir
Perched on a hillock, this granite temple is a primary site for Delhi's South Indian community, dedicated to Lord Swaminatha.
Vaikuntha Perumal Temple
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…
Varadaraja Perumal Temple
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.
Vedapureeswarar Temple
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.
Vemulawada Raja Rajeswara Temple
Known as 'Dakshina Kasi', this Shiva temple is a symbol of communal harmony, housing a Dargah within its complex.
Virupaksha Temple
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.
Vishalakshi Temple
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…
Yadadri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple
A popular cave temple that recently underwent a massive stone architectural renovation following ancient traditions.
Sources & References
These records back the membership, dating and visitor guidance published on this Dravidian Architecture Temples page.
Archaeological Survey of India
Archaeological Survey of India — monument records and conservation reports
Protection status, dating, architectural classification and published conservation records for the monuments named on this page.
Primary archaeological record
Open source (opens in a new tab)Ministry of Tourism, Government of India
Ministry of Tourism — official destination information
Official Government of India destination information — access, visitor circuits and travel guidance referenced on this page.
Government record
Open source (opens in a new tab)INTACH
Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage
Documentation of Indian architectural heritage and conservation practice behind the style descriptions on this page.
Reference source
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