Top 15 Most Famous Temples Around the World

• Name: Akmshardha Temple Complex
• Architectural Style: Hinduism
• Area: 0.75 ha
• Year of Construction: 2005
• Country: India

Akshardham Temple is located on the banks of the Yamuna River, approximately 10km east of New Delhi's city center, India. The name 'Akshardham' means eternal peace, a sacred abode of the Divine, a place for eternal values.

This magnificent Hindu temple complex, built from Carrara marble and Rajasthani sandstone, was initiated in 2001 and completed in 2005. The centerpiece of the complex is the Akshardham Temple, which stands as a symbol of divine purity and eternal peace, crafted without any steel in its structure. The pink sandstone symbolizes unwavering devotion, while the white marble represents purity and everlasting tranquility.

The main temple is a 43-meter high architectural marvel, measuring 96.5 meters wide and 108.5 meters long. It features 234 intricately carved stone columns, 9 domes, and over 20,000 sculptures of ascetics (sadhus), devotees, and spiritual leaders (acharyas). The temple’s base is adorned with a series of 148 life-sized stone elephants (Gajendra), weighing 3,000 tons, reflecting the significance of the elephant in Hindu culture, symbolizing peace, beauty, and gentleness.

The Akshardham Temple complex is a stunning testament to the rich heritage of ancient Indian architecture, with its flawless carvings, intricate reliefs, and vivid depictions of Hindu gods. The temple’s exterior walls are decorated with exquisite scenes and symbols, representing the beauty and sacredness of Hindu traditions. Surrounding the sanctum are special altars honoring other traditional Hindu deities, including Shri Sita-Rama, Shri Radha-Krishna, Shri Lakshmi-Narayana, and Shri Shiva-Parvati.

Akshardham Temple is a must-visit destination for anyone traveling to New Delhi, India, offering a profound spiritual experience and a glimpse into the grandeur of ancient Indian architecture.

• Name: Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple
• Architectural Style: Dravidian Architecture
• Area: 63 ha
• Year of Construction: 894 AD
• Country: India

When it comes to religion, India stands as the cradle of spiritual civilization. Among its most prominent structures is the Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple in Srirangam, a revered Hindu shrine that attracts millions of visitors and pilgrims every year. It is the largest and most significant Hindu temple in the world, with Angkor Wat ranking second.

The temple complex is vast, covering an area of about 63 hectares and surrounded by seven concentric walls, with the outermost wall stretching for about 4 km. The Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple is renowned for its entrances beneath towering, vividly colored pyramidal structures. The temple boasts 21 passageways, with the largest having 15 tiers and reaching a height of nearly 60 meters. The complex includes 21 towers, the tallest standing at 73 meters. Over the centuries, the temple has expanded, growing far larger than its original size.

The Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple is dedicated to Vishnu, one of the principal deities in Hinduism. The temple was completed in 967 AD, primarily constructed from red sandstone, which allowed artisans to intricately carve detailed decorative motifs that are still visible today.

• Name: Baalbek Temple
• Area: 0.034 ha
• Architectural Style: Roman Architecture
• Year of Construction: 1st Century BC
• Country: Lebanon

If you're captivated by massive stone structures or Egyptian pyramids, the Baalbek Temple will undoubtedly impress you. Located beside the Litani River in the Bekaa Valley of Lebanon, this Roman-era site was originally known as the Temple of Jupiter.

From the 1st century BC and for the next two centuries, the Romans constructed three temples here, each dedicated to a different planet: Jupiter, Mercury, and Venus, forming one of the largest temple complexes in the Roman Empire. The Jupiter temple was supported by 54 massive granite columns, each 21 meters tall. Today, only six of these monumental columns remain, standing as a testament to their grandeur. The best-preserved structure at the site is the Temple of Bacchus, completed in 150 AD. Dedicated to Bacchus, the Roman god of wine, this temple remains an outstanding example of ancient Roman architecture.

The Baalbek Temple is truly one of the most impressive ancient temples in the world. With dimensions of 88 by 48 meters, the temple stands on a raised platform accessible by a grand staircase. This platform is 13 meters higher than the surrounding ground level. The temple complex features 24 such massive stone blocks, each weighing up to 300 tons, with dimensions of 20 by 5 by 5 meters. One of the most remarkable architectural feats here is the use of three massive stones in the western part of the Jupiter temple, each weighing no less than 750 tons. The technical challenges and the purpose behind the construction of this colossal stone structure remain a mystery to this day.

• Name: Christ the Savior Cathedral
• Architectural Style: Eastern Roman Cathedral
• Year of Construction: 1883
• Country: Russia

Christ the Savior Cathedral, also known as the Cathedral of the Savior, is the tallest and largest Russian Orthodox cathedral in the world. Located on the banks of the Moskva River in Moscow, the cathedral was first constructed in 1883, but was demolished in 1931 under Stalin's regime. It was faithfully rebuilt between 1995 and 2000, following the original design.

The design and construction process spanned several decades, with many architectural proposals for the cathedral. Initially, Tsar Alexander I approved a Neoclassical design, featuring symbols associated with Freemasonry. However, under Tsar Nicholas II, a devout Orthodox Christian and nationalist, a new design was proposed, inspired by the architecture of the Eastern Roman Church (Hagia Sophia in Constantinople).

At a height of 103 meters, Christ the Savior Cathedral is the largest Orthodox Christian church. The interior is surrounded by a two-story corridor, with walls made of granite, marble, and various precious stones. The ground floor of the corridor houses a monument to Russia’s victory over Napoleon, with over 1,000 square meters of white Carrara marble inscribed with the names of key military leaders, regiments, and battles from the 1812 Patriotic War. The second floor of the corridor is dedicated to the church choir.

Each year, the cathedral attracts countless visitors, many of whom spend hours in prayer in its solemn atmosphere, accompanied by the chimes of the largest bell cast in Russia during the 20th century, which adds to the sacred ambiance of the site.

• Name: Saint Sava Cathedral
• Area: 0.035 ha per floor
• Architectural Style: Serbia-Byzantine
• Year of Construction: 1985
• Country: Serbia

The Saint Sava Cathedral in Belgrade, the capital of Serbia, is the largest Orthodox church in the world and one of the biggest church buildings globally. Dedicated to Saint Sava, the founder of the Serbian Orthodox Church, the cathedral began construction in 1985, but much of the work was completed only by 2004.

Shaped like a Greek cross, the cathedral features a large central dome supported by four massive columns, with smaller domes above each arm of the cross. The central dome reaches a height of 70 meters, while the golden cross atop the church rises another 12 meters, bringing the total height to 82 meters. Its highest point stands at 134 meters above sea level, overlooking Belgrade and visible from all directions approaching the city.

Measuring 91 meters from east to west and 81 meters from north to south, the cathedral’s dome spans 70 meters in height, with the golden cross adding an additional 12 meters. The church is adorned with 18 golden crosses of varying sizes, while the bell tower features 49 bells cast by the Austrian foundry Grassmayr. The cathedral occupies 3,500 square meters on the ground floor, with three exhibition halls on the upper floors, and can accommodate up to 10,000 worshippers at a time. The basement contains a crypt, the treasury of Saint Sava, and the Great Church of Saint Lazar, covering a total area of 1,800 square meters.

The cathedral’s dome is decorated with a 1,230 square meter mosaic, one of the largest curved surfaces ever decorated with mosaic work, weighing a total of 40 tons. The central fresco depicts the Ascension of Christ, representing the risen Christ seated on a rainbow, with His right hand raised in blessing, surrounded by four angels, the Apostles, and the Theotokos. This design was inspired by the mosaics in the dome of St. Mark’s Church in Venice.

• Name: Jetavanaramaya Stupa
• Architectural Style: Buddhist
• Area: 5.6 ha
• Year of Construction: 3rd Century
• Country: Sri Lanka

Located in the ancient city of Anuradhapura, the towering Jetavanaramaya Stupa is an iconic monument. This colossal stupa is a part of the Jetavana Monastery complex and stands as one of the tallest and most remarkable ancient structures still in existence.

Built in the 3rd century by a Sri Lankan king, the Jetavanaramaya Stupa was designed to accommodate up to 10,000 Mahayana Buddhist monks. The structure was constructed within a sprawling architectural complex covering about 5.6 hectares. Standing at 122 meters tall, with a base area of 233,000 square meters, it was, at the time of completion, the third tallest structure in the world, surpassed only by the Great Pyramids of Giza. An astonishing 93.3 million bricks were used in its construction, featuring an intricately designed dome.

The Jetavanaramaya Stupa is part of the Sagalika sect and is believed to have once housed 10,000 monks. A piece of the Buddha’s robe is said to be preserved here as a relic.

• Name: Grand Jaguar Temple
• Area: 0.0006 ha
• Architectural Style: Mayan architecture
• Year of Construction: 4th Century BC
• Country: Guatemala – Central America

The Grand Jaguar Temple is located within the Petén Basin of Guatemala, in the ancient city of Tikal, one of the major cities of the Mayan civilization. The site, covering about 60 km², was discovered deep within the rainforest of eastern Guatemala. Archaeologists have uncovered over 3,000 structures on 6 square miles, including more than 200 carved stone monuments and altars. It is one of the largest Mayan pyramids still standing.

Built in the ancient architectural style, the Grand Jaguar Temple features a central staircase, with stepped sides surrounding the structure. At the top of the pyramid is a vaulted area with a small doorway that leads inside. The temple stands 47 meters tall, with very steep steps.

Today, the Grand Jaguar Temple is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the region, often referred to as the “City of Sound.” The architectural complexes here were designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1979.

• Name: Harmandir Sahib Temple, Darbar Sahib, or the Golden Temple
• Area: 2.4 ha
• Architectural Style: Sikh Architecture
• Year of Construction: 1585
• Country: India

The Harmandir Sahib Temple is the holiest Sikh shrine, located in the city of Amritsar, India. It is one of the most visited religious sites in the world, attracting up to 100,000 visitors daily. This golden temple, with its unique architecture and rich history, captivates all who visit. Construction began in 1585 and was completed in 1604. To create its striking golden exterior, 100 kg of gold was used to cover the domes and outer walls of the temple.

Visitors and pilgrims are often awestruck by the temple’s magnificent beauty, with its golden façade gleaming beside the sacred pool, known as the Pool of Nectar. A bridge connects the temple to the pool, symbolizing the journey of the soul after death. The temple’s design is distinguished by its marble structure covered in gold leaf, making it glow, especially at night.

Unlike many Sikh temples, which are built on elevated platforms, the Harmandir Sahib Temple is situated at a lower level, enhancing its sense of openness and inclusivity.

• Name: Todaiji Temple, also known as the Great Eastern Temple
• Architectural Style: Buddhist
• Year of Construction: 752
• Country: Japan

Todaiji Temple, also called the Great Eastern Temple, is a renowned Buddhist temple in Japan. It is considered the mother temple of all Buddhist temples in the country. The temple was built with the collective effort of over 2.6 million people, who contributed through direct construction work and by crafting statues of Buddha and other religious artifacts. Todaiji Temple is recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site due to its rich history and unique Buddhist architecture.

Inside the main hall of the Todaiji Temple, visitors can find a massive Buddha statue standing 15 meters tall, representing Vairocana, flanked by two Bodhisattvas. Within the hall, there is a wooden pillar with a hole in it, through which people can crawl. According to legend, the hole is the size of one of Buddha’s nostrils, and those who crawl through it are said to receive blessings and happiness.

• Full Name: Prambanan Temple, also known as Rara Jonggrang
• Architectural Style: Hindu Temple
• Year of Construction: 850
• Country: Indonesia

Prambanan Temple, also known as Rara Jonggrang, is a complex of Hindu temples located in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. The temple is dedicated to Trimurti, the three supreme gods of Hinduism: Brahma, the creator, Vishnu, the preserver, and Shiva, the destroyer. Prambanan is famous for its towering, sharp-pointed spires, with the central spire reaching 47 meters in height, surrounded by numerous smaller temples.

The construction of Prambanan Temple is believed to have begun in 850 under the reign of King Rakai Pikatan of the Medang Kingdom. Surrounding the central spire are hundreds of smaller temples. It is considered the royal temple of the Medang Kingdom, and during its peak, thousands of Brahmin priests and their disciples lived around the complex. The temple complex was severely damaged by a massive earthquake in the 16th century. Though the religious rituals have long ceased, the ruins of the area remain prominent and are still recognized by later generations. After several restorations, the main temple was completed in 1953, though the smaller temples have not been fully restored, and their foundations remain visible.

Prambanan Temple is recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, known as the largest Hindu temple in Indonesia and the second largest in Southeast Asia.

• Name: Temple of Heaven, Tiantan Temple
• Architectural Style: Buddhist
• Area: 273 hectares
• Year Built: 1420
• Country: China

The Temple of Heaven is a grand religious complex located in the southeastern part of Beijing, China. Recognized as a cultural treasure, it is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The complex was constructed in 1420 during the Ming Dynasty under the reign of Emperor Yongle, specifically for the imperial ritual sacrifices to Heaven.

The Temple of Heaven complex spans 273 hectares and includes three main architectural groups, meticulously arranged according to philosophical principles. Its design symbolizes the desire to reach the heavens, pointing toward the vast sky. Hidden behind tall walls, the Temple of Heaven park offers a peaceful retreat from the bustling streets of Beijing. Visitors should prepare for a fair amount of walking when exploring this site. The Chinese architects used vivid imagination in the construction, with the most striking feature being the use of green tiles for the temple roofs—a symbolic reference to the color of the sky, rather than the traditional golden roofs of imperial palaces.

• Name: Meiji Jingu Shrine
• Architectural Style: Azekurazukuri
• Area: 70 hectares
• Year Built: 1915
• Country: Japan

The Meiji Jingu Shrine is one of the most visited shrines in Japan, particularly during the New Year. Shinto shrines, often associated with the imperial family, are called "Jingu," and this one is the most popular among them. Surrounded by a vast artificial forest, the trees around the shrine were gathered from all parts of Japan during its construction. Despite being an artificial forest, its beauty and serenity leave a lasting impression on visitors.

Built to honor Emperor Meiji, who reigned from 1867 to 1912, and his wife, Empress Shoken, the shrine was started in 1915 and completed five years later. It is a hub for various events throughout the year, including rituals such as Dohyoiri, Kigen Matsuri, and the Onikkusai festival. Meiji Jingu is also a popular location for traditional Shinto weddings, where brides are often seen wearing red umbrellas and walking in ceremonial kimonos.

• Name: Prasat Angkor Wat
• Architectural Style: Khmer
• Area: 162.6 hectares
• Year Built: Late 12th century
• Country: Cambodia

The Angkor Wat temple is perhaps the most iconic religious monument in the world. Spanning 162.6 hectares, this vast temple complex in Cambodia was originally constructed as a Hindu temple dedicated to Vishnu under the Khmer Empire but gradually became a Buddhist temple by the late 12th century. Built by King Suryavarman II in the early 12th century at Yaśodharapura, Angkor Wat stands as a testament to the grandeur of Khmer architecture.

Angkor Wat blends two major elements of Khmer architecture: temple-mountain design and long narrow galleries. These elements represent Mount Meru, the mythical home of the gods in Hindu cosmology. Unlike other Angkor temples, Angkor Wat faces west. The temple's central complex consists of five towers, with the central tower standing tall surrounded by four smaller towers at each corner. A 3.6 km long outer wall surrounds the temple, which is divided into three levels connected by deep galleries.

The outer wall, which stretches 1,024 meters in length, 802 meters in width, and rises 4.5 meters high, is enclosed by a 30-meter-wide moat and a 190-meter-wide ditch. The main entrance is located on the western side, a later addition possibly replacing an earlier wooden bridge. The temple is constructed primarily of sandstone, with laterite used for the outer walls and hidden structural parts.

Admired for its monumental scale and architectural harmony, Angkor Wat is known for its rich sculptural art. Characteristic features of its design include the lotus-like towers, narrow galleries that extend the pathways, rooms aligned along the axes to link courtyards, and cross-shaped stairways. Decorative elements such as devata (or apsara) carvings, bas-reliefs, large floral wreaths, and narrative scenes adorn the temple walls. While the statues in Angkor Wat are often considered conservative, the temple's unique features and beauty continue to captivate visitors despite the effects of looting and time.

• Name: Karnak Temple Complex
• Architectural Style: Ancient Egyptian
• Area: 69.86 hectares
• Construction Period: 1580 - 1160 BCE
• Country: Egypt

The Karnak Temple Complex, located in the ancient city of Thebes, Egypt, is one of the most famous archaeological sites in the world. It consists of massive ruins of temples, colossal statues, courtyards, and towering obelisks.

Situated on the east bank of the Nile River, the temple was constructed over a period of several centuries, from 1580 to 1160 BCE. The Karnak Temple was primarily dedicated to the Egyptian gods Amun-Ra (the Sun God), Montu (the God of War), and Mut (the Sun God's consort), as well as to the Pharaohs of Egypt who left their mark on the site. The temple was continually expanded by approximately 30 successive Pharaohs, each adding their own architectural features to the complex.

With its intricate design and numerous massive stone sculptures, Karnak leaves a lasting impression on all who visit. One of the most striking features is the grand entrance flanked by two colossal ram-headed sphinxes, symbols of the god Amun, known as the god of wisdom. The temple's massive entrance, the halls, its numerous columns, stone carvings, and towering obelisks all combine to create an awe-inspiring sight. The outer gate of the temple stands 43.6 meters high, 113 meters wide, with walls 15 meters thick, leading into a long corridor surrounded by stone columns that connects to smaller temples.

Perhaps the most intriguing part of a visit to Karnak is the inscriptions on its walls. These carvings, some of which resemble a key, are thought to be prayers from past Pharaohs, and their intricate designs cover the walls of the temple. The walls are also adorned with vivid bas-reliefs depicting the military achievements and triumphs of the Pharaohs.

After thousands of years, the Karnak Temple remains one of Egypt's most sacred sites. In recognition of its significance, the temple was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979.

• Name: Borobudur Temple, also known as Ba La Phu Do
• Architectural Style: Javanese Buddhist Architecture
• Area: 0.25 hectares
• Construction Period: 8th - 9th Century
• Country: Indonesia

Located in Central Java, Indonesia, Borobudur is one of the largest and most significant Buddhist temple complexes in the world. Perched atop a hill amidst lush plains, it rises majestically in the center of a volcanic valley surrounded by mountains. The temple was constructed between the 8th and 9th centuries under the Sailendra dynasty, showcasing the unique Javanese Buddhist architectural style.

The Borobudur temple consists of 12 stacked levels: six square and three circular platforms topped with a circular dome. It is adorned with 2,672 intricate relief panels and 504 statues of the Buddha. The top dome is encircled by 72 Buddha statues, each housed in its own stupa. Built with 3,000 stone blocks, the structure covers an area of 2,500 m². Visitors must ascend over 15 meters from the base to reach the temple’s platform. The monument’s layout includes 12 terraces, each varying in size and shape, forming a 42-meter-high structure. The perimeter of each base level measures 123 meters, and walking the entire path around all 12 terraces totals 5 kilometers.

The first level of Borobudur is square in shape, with its four sides aligned with the cardinal directions: East, West, North, and South. Each side features large stone lions, measuring 1.7 meters in height and 1.26 meters in length, some of which are still in their unfinished state.

The second level of Borobudur is a 20-sided polygon and stands 1.52 meters above the first. This level features an elegant balustrade with intricate details, such as a large elephant head clutching a lion in its trunk and a series of lion figures adorning the end of the handrails.

From the third level upwards, the temple's structure transitions from a square shape to a circular one. Each level is richly decorated with reliefs depicting scenes from the life of the Buddha, as well as various deities, bodhisattvas, and realms of heaven and hell. The uppermost three levels are flat, with 72 bell-shaped stupas, each containing a statue of the Buddha.

Today, Borobudur remains a major pilgrimage site and one of Indonesia's top tourist destinations. In 1991, it was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.