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Temples, revered as sacred spaces for spiritual practices, have been constructed since ancient times. While many have been lost to destruction and obscurity, a select few have endured the ages and remain impressively preserved to this day.
10. Wat Phra Si Sanphet
Wat Phra Si Sanphet, also known as the Temple of the Buddha Si Sanphet, was constructed in the 15th century. Unlike other Thai temples, it was not inhabited by monks but served solely as a repository for royal artifacts and a venue for royal rituals.
In 1491, King Ramathibodi II commissioned the addition of two chedis to the temple to house the remains of his family members. These chedis, integral to Thai temple architecture, are typically erected after cremation ceremonies to enshrine the ashes of the departed.
One of the chedis built by Ramathibodi II contained the ashes of his father, while the other held those of his brother. Later, in 1498, he constructed an assembly hall to enshrine the statue of Buddha Phra Si Sanphet, which was adorned with approximately 200 kilograms (440 lb) of gold.
This golden statue became the temple's defining feature and inspired its name. Sadly, during the 1767 Burmese invasion, the gold was plundered, and the temple suffered extensive damage.
9. Dwarkadhish Temple
Suvarna Dwarka, an ancient town in Anarta, India, served as the capital of Lord Krishna’s realm. The Dwarkadhish Temple, located here, is revered by Hindus as one of the world’s most sacred sites and stands as a paramount destination for pilgrimages.
The temple’s central idol portrays Krishna in the form of Vishnu, depicted with four arms, symbolizing his divine incarnation. Additional idols include Baldejvi (Krishna’s brother), Pradyumna, and Aniruddha (his son and grandson). The complex also houses shrines dedicated to Krishna’s mother, Shiva, and Vishnu.
This grand five-story structure features 72 pillars and a towering spire reaching 78 meters (255 ft). At its peak, a 25-meter (84 ft) flag adorned with the Sun and Moon symbols waves proudly. With a history spanning 2,500 years, the temple boasts two entrances: the northern “Moksha Dwara” (Door to Salvation) and the southern “Swarga Dwara” (Gate to Heaven).
8. Wat Tham Suea
Wat Tham Suea, situated in Thailand, earned its name “Tiger Cave Temple” due to the tiger paw prints found on the walls of the limestone cave where it was established. This temple holds deep spiritual significance for Buddhists in Krabi, Thailand.
Currently, around 250 monks and nuns reside in and care for the temple. Visitors are drawn not only to the temple itself but also to the stunning natural scenery of the surrounding forest. The area is dotted with enormous banyan trees, including one known as the “Wonderful Tree,” which boasts the largest root system in Thailand. Additionally, archaeologists have discovered Stone Age artifacts such as idols, beads, pottery, and tools in the vicinity of the temple.
The Tiger Cave Temple is encircled by numerous cells carved into the surrounding caves and cliffs, serving as natural living spaces for the monks. Inside the temple, visitors encounter skulls, skeletons, and vivid paintings. The highlight of the temple is its summit shrine, accessible only by climbing 1,200 steep steps.
7. Wat Tilok Aram
Wat Tilok Aram, with a history spanning over five centuries, is steeped in fascinating historical tales. However, its most captivating story stems from its recent past. Constructed by King Tilokanart of the Mengrai dynasty, the temple was intentionally flooded over 68 years ago during the creation of Phayao Lake.
Efforts to drain the water surrounding the temple have faced opposition, as such actions could potentially harm the temple more than the water itself. Additionally, the project risks disrupting local fishing activities and harming the ecosystem.
The plan was ultimately abandoned, and a floating platform was constructed above the submerged temple. Over time, the temple has sustained significant damage, leaving behind only four pillars, scattered debris, and a large concrete wall.
6. Pyramid Of The Magician
Uxmal, translating to “built thrice,” is an ancient Mayan city in Yucatan, Mexico, now in ruins. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996, it is home to the iconic “Pyramid of the Magician,” also known as the “House of the Dwarf.” Legend claims it was constructed by a dwarf born from an egg, who matured in a day and built the pyramid overnight. In reality, the pyramid dates back to the sixth century.
Rising 35 meters (115 ft) high, the pyramid is Uxmal’s tallest structure. It houses multiple temples built prior to the pyramid’s construction, reflecting the Mayan practice of erecting new structures over older ones. Temple IV, located at the pyramid’s summit, features 12 masks adorning its entrance. Initially thought to depict Chac, the rain god, their true meaning remains debated.
Another temple atop the pyramid, Temple V, was constructed around A.D. 1000. Its design may have been influenced by the nearby Governor’s Palace.
5. Temple Of The Inscriptions
The Temple of the Inscriptions, a Mayan structure atop a pyramid, was constructed between A.D. 672 and 682. Standing 20 meters (66 ft) tall, the temple features four pillars adorned with carvings of adults carrying a child with a snake-like leg and six toes.
The temple’s name originates from three tablets inside, inscribed with Mayan glyphs dating back to A.D. 692. One tablet lists the names of Mayan kings preceding King Pakal, while another details Pakal’s life. They also predict events as far as the year 4772. Among its treasures is a stone coffin lid depicting Pakal descending into the underworld at his death, a renowned icon in Mayan history.
Palenque, the town housing the Temple of the Inscriptions, was abandoned and forgotten until its rediscovery in 1773. Its original Mayan name remains unknown, and its current name is derived from the nearby village of Santo Domingo de Palenque.
4. Asamai Temple
Afghanistan’s Hindu population has drastically declined in recent decades due to persecution by the Mujahideen and the Taliban, forcing many to seek refuge in India. In just nine years, the number of Hindu worshippers dropped from 20,000 families to a mere 500 families.
The Asamai Temple in Kabul remains one of the few active Hindu temples in Afghanistan. Named after the Asamai Mountain (Koh-i-Asamai), it honors Asha, the goddess of hope, who is said to reside at the mountain’s peak. The temple’s sacred flame, known as the Perpetual Light or Akhand Jyoti, is believed to have burned uninterrupted for 4,000 years.
Within the temple lies the Panjshir Ka Jogi stone, thought to be centuries old. It is named after a Hindu ascetic who meditated in the Panjshir Valley. After facing harassment from locals, he is said to have transformed himself into stone.
3. Temple Of Dendur
The Temple of Dendur, originally constructed in Egypt around 15 B.C. under Roman emperor Augustus Caesar, now resides in New York. Gifted to the United States in 1965, it is showcased at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Dedicated to the goddess Isis, as well as Harpocrates, Osiris, and the sons of a Nubian chief, Peteese and Pihor, who aided the Romans in battle, the temple stands as a testament to ancient Egyptian culture.
Originally located near the Nile in Tutzis, Egypt, the Temple of Dendur was relocated to protect it from the rising waters of Lake Nasser. Unlike other temples moved to higher ground, Egypt gifted this one to the U.S. in gratitude for their assistance. The temple was carefully disassembled into 642 blocks weighing over 800 tons, packed into 661 crates, and shipped to the U.S. for preservation.
2. Varaha Cave Temple
Carved into a mountainside in the seventh century, the Varaha Cave Temple in Mahabalipuram, India, is dedicated to Vishnu. It features some of the world’s most exquisite Hindu rock-cut sculptures, including detailed two-dimensional depictions of Lakshmi, Durga, and Varaha, the boar-shaped avatar of Vishnu. The temple’s lion-carved pillars and panels illustrate Varaha rescuing Bhudevi, the Earth goddess, from the ocean.
The temple also showcases sculptures of Vishnu saving the Earth, along with depictions of Durga, Gajalakshmi, and various mythological figures. One notable sculpture portrays Durga and Trivikrama slaying Mahishasura, a demon with a buffalo’s head and a human body. Another depicts Gajalakshmi seated on a lotus as elephants bathe her.
1. The Great Plaza Temples
The Great Plaza, located in Tilak, Guatemala, is the city’s most significant structure and houses two ancient Mayan temples: Temple I, known as the “Temple of the Great Jaguar,” and Temple II, referred to as the “Temple of the Mask.”
The Temple of the Great Jaguar was commissioned by Ah Cacao, also known as Jasaw Chan K’awiil. He revitalized Tilak, restoring its prosperity and influence after a 150-year period of stagnation marked by no new constructions or notable events.
Unlike many other structures in Tilak, the Great Plaza Temples were erected in a relatively short time. Ah Cacao completed Temple II but entrusted his son with finishing Temple I, intended as his own burial site. The Maya believed Temple I served as a portal to the underworld.
Upon Ah Cacao’s death, his son interred him with pottery, jade, and shells, then constructed Temple I over his tomb. This burial broke tradition, as Tilak’s kings were typically laid to rest in the North Acropolis.
