Ahead of Ram Mandir Bhumi Pujan, here’s taking a look at the largest Hindu temple complexes in the world

Share

Tweet

Share

Share

Email

Comments

The Bhumi Pujan or the foundation stone-laying ceremony of the Ram Mandir in Ram Janmabhoomi, Ayodha, organised by the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, shall take place on August 5. The sacred monument dedicated to Shri Rama in his birthplace is touted to be the world’s third-largest Hindu temple complex. The grand temple is expected to be about 270-280 feet wide, 280-300 feet long and 128 feet high. And as devotees look forward to the groundbreaking ceremony of the sacred site, here’s taking a look at some of the world’s largest Hindu temple complexes.

1) Angkor Wat, Cambodia

The Angkor Wat, a twelfth-century architectural marvel built near the modern town of Siem Reap in Cambodia, is the world’s largest Hindu temple complex. Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, the Sanskrit term Angkor Vat roughly translates to City of Temples. It was later converted into a Buddhist place of worship. This monument is a symbol of the nation and one of UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites. The temple is spread over 401 acres/ 162.6 hectares. 

2) Ranganatha Swamy temple in Tiruchirapalli

The Ranganatha Swamy Temple in Tiruchirapalli, Tamil Nadu dedicated to Maha Vishnu is believed to be the second-largest Hindu temple complex in the world. The shrine, which is an architectural marvel, is spread over 155 acres and it attracts devotees from across the globe. Moreover, it is the largest functioning temple in the world today.

3) Swaminarayan Temple in the US

The Swami Narayan Temple complex in Robbinsville, New Jersey, finds a mention in the list of the world’s largest Hindu temple complexes. The construction of the temple began in 2010 and was completed in four years. The architectural wonder is made of white marble, limestone and Indian pink stone.

4) Shri Aadya Katyayani Shakti Peetham, Delhi

The temple dedicated to the Katyayani form of Mother Goddess Durga in Chhatarpur, off Mehrauli-Gurgaon road in Delhi is spread over 70 acres. The temple reflects the Dravidian style of architecture and is a spellbinding product of art.

5) Akshardham, New Delhi

The Swaminarayan Akshardham Temple in Delhi, which was officially opened in 2005, is one of the world’s largest Hindu temple complexes. A place of worship of the Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha, a denomination of the Hindu Swaminarayan Sampradaya, this temple is an architectural marvel made of pink sandstone and Italian Carrara marble.

6) Praramban Temple, Indonesia

The Praramban Temple, in the Central Java region of Indonesia, is the second-largest Hindu temple complex in South-East Asia. Dedicated mainly to Lord Shiva, the Praramban temple also has monuments that pay obeisance to other Hindu deities. Small wonder that it is a part of the UNESCO World Heritage sites.

7)Thillai Nataraja Temple, Chidambaram

The temple dedicated to the Nataraja form of Lord Shiva, in Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu is spread over 40 acres. The 10th-century monument is an architectural marvel and a classic specimen of the Chola style of art.

8) Brihadisvara Temple

The Brihadisvara temple in Thanjavur (Tanjore) city of Tamil Nadu was built by the great Tamil King Raja Raja Chola, I between 1003 and 1010 AD. The temple, also known as Thanjavur Periya Koil or the Rajarajesvara or Peruvudaiyar Koil, is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is a part of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites and one of the largest functioning Hindu temples in the world.

9) Arunachalesvarar Temple, Tamil Nadu

The temple dedicated to Lord Shiva in the town of Thiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu is spread over 25 acres. Also known as Annamalaiyar Temple, the sacred shrine is associated with Fire (Agni) one of the five elements that make the Earth. It is one of the Pancha Bhoota Sthalas.

10) Dakshineshwar Kali Temple, West Bengal

The Dakshineshwar Kali Temple, situated on the eastern banks of the river Hoogly, built by Rani Rashmoni in 1855, is one of the majestic temple complexes that showcase the Bengali style of architecture. It is said that the temple complex covers 25 acres.

11) Rajagopalaswamy Temple, Mannargudi, Tamil Nadu

The Rajagopalaswamy Temple, Mannargudi, Tamil Nadu, dedicated to Lord Krishna is one of the finest specimens of Vedic style architecture. Also known as Dakshina Dwaraka, the temple is spread over 23 acres. Therefore, it finds a mention in the list of one of the largest Hindu temple complexes around the world.

Source: Times Now