Who says history has to be boring? Some of India’s oldest temples are so ancient, they have outlived empires, earthquakes, and even the invention of Wi-Fi! From mysterious underground carvings to temples aligned perfectly with the stars, these places are amazing!
If you are gearing up for an India tour and want something beyond beaches and bazaar, the historical temples in India offer an epic detour. They are packed with mind-blowing architecture, and enough photo ops to light up your feed. Ready to temple-hop through time? Let’s go!
1. Mundeshwari Temple, Bihar
Quietly sitting atop a hill in Bihar’s Kaimur district, the Mundeshwari Temple is a true hidden gem and a serious contender for the oldest temple in India still in worship. Built around 108 CE to 400 CE, this temple has been standing strong through empires, invasions and centuries of change. That’s not just old, that’s ancient!
Dedicated to Goddess Mundeshwari and Lord Shiva, the temple is small in size but massive in heritage. It’s made of stone, shaped like an octagon and still sees daily rituals being performed, just like they were over 1,600 years ago.
Location: Bihar
Timings: 6 AM - 8 PM
Entry fee: NIL
Photography: Allowed outside
2. Kailasa Temple, Maharashtra
At Ellora, Maharashtra, you’ll find the incredible Kailasa Temple, carved out of a single rock. This 8th-century wonder is one of the oldest Hindu temples in India. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the temple features exquisite carvings and is a part of the Ellora Caves, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The sheer effort that went into creating this temple makes it one of the most beautiful ancient temples in India, and a visit here offers a deep connection to the ancient Indian past.
Location: Ellora, Verul, Maharashtra 431102
Timings: 6 AM - 6 PM
Entry fee: INR 40 for Indians | INR 600 for foreign tourists | Free for children below 15
Photography: Allowed
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3. Shore Temple, Tamil Nadu
The Shore Temple in Mahabalipuram is another gem among the oldest temples in India. Built in the 8th century, it stands on the coast overlooking the Bay of Bengal, which makes it even more beautiful. The temple is dedicated to both Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu, and its stunning architecture is one of the reasons why it is a favorite among visitors. This ancient structure, part of the historic temples of India, is a reminder of the Pallava dynasty’s craftsmanship.
Location: Beach Rd, Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu 603104
Timings: 6 AM - 6 PM
Entry fee: INR 40
Photography: Allowed
4. Konark Sun Temple, Odisha
Sun worship, stone wheels and serious wow-factor! Konark Sun Temple is where ancient imagination ran wild. Carved in the 13th century to look like a celestial chariot, this temple literally tells time! And while it’s not the India’s oldest temple, it’s one of its boldest!
It’s pure history with a hint of drama, set right by the sea!
Location: Konark, Odisha 752111
Timings: 6 AM - 8 PM
Entry fee: INR 40
Photography: Allowed
5. Meenakshi Temple, Tamil Nadu
Step into a world of color, chaos and centuries-old devotion - Meenakshi Temple in Madurai is where mythology meets mega architecture. While it is not only India’s oldest temple, it’s easily one of the most dazzling, with over 30,000 sculptures, 14 towering gopurams and an energy that hits you the moment you walk in.
Dedicated to Goddess Meenakshi and Lord Shiva, it’s beautiful! The ceiling art? Instagram gold! The rituals? Hypnotic. The vibe? Pure Tamil Nadu magic.
Location: W4CG+FPF, Madurai, Tamil Nadu 625001
Timings: 5 AM - 12:30 PM AND 4 PM - 10 PM
Entry fee: Free (INR 50 - 100 For special darshan or museum access)
Photography: Not allowed inside the sanctum, outside is fine, get those gopuram shots!
6. Lingaraj Temple, Odisha
Step into the heart of Bhubaneshwar and you will find Lingaraj Temple, a towering tribute to Lord Shiva that’s stood tall since the 11th century. One of the finest examples of Kalinga architecture, this masterpiece is massive and magnetic! With its intricate carvings, high spite and bustling courtyards, it easily earns its spot among the most majestic historical temples in India.
Location: Lingaraj Temple Rd, Lingaraj Nagar, Old Town, Bhubaneswar, Odisha 751002
Timings: 6 AM - 12 PM AND 3:30 PM - 9 PM
Entry fee: NIL
Photography: Not allowed
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7. Virupaksha Temple, Karnataka
Hampi’s Virupaksha Temple is one of the most important landmarks among the oldest temples in India. Built in the 7th century, this temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is still in use today. Its ancient origins and continued importance in Hindu worship make it one of the most beautiful ancient temples in India. Visitors to Hampi are often left amazed by the sheer size and complexity of this temple complex.
Location: Hampi, Karnataka 583239
Timings: 6 AM - 12:30 PM and 5 PM - 8:30 PM
Entry fee: NIL
Photography: Allowed in most areas
8. Jagatpita Brahma Temple, Rajasthan
Located in the sacred town of Pushkar, the Brahma Temple is unique because it is one of the few temples in India dedicated to Lord Brahma. This temple is believed to be over 2000 years old and is one of the oldest Hindu temples in India. Pilgrims from all over the world visit this temple, especially during the Pushkar Fair. Its spiritual significance and historical background make it a key site in any ancient temple tour India.
Location: Brahma Temple Rd, Pushkar, Rajasthan 305022
Timings: 6 AM - 1:30 PM and 3 PM - 8:30 PM
Entry fee: NIL
Photography: Allowed outside
9. Ranganathaswamy Temple, Tamil Nadu
Ever wanted to get lost in a temple so big it feels like its own city? Welcome to Ranganathaswamy Temple in Srirangam! Sprawled across 150 acres with seven concentric walls and 21 gopurams, it’s one of the largest functioning Hindu temples in the world - and a strong contender for the oldest mandir in India still active today.
Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, this temple isn’t just a spiritual hotspot - it’s a living, breathing celebration of Tamil culture. One of the coolest parts? This temple is located between two rivers. So yes, it’s sacred and strategically epic!
Location: FHR3+6WV, Pushkar, Rajasthan 305022
Timings: 6 AM - 12:30 PM AND 1:30 PM - 9 PM
Entry fee: NIL
Photography: Allowed in outer areas.
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10. Chennakesava Temple, Karnataka
If temples had a beauty pageant, Chennakesava Temple in Belur would take home the crown for “most detailed stonework ever”. Built in the 12th century by the Hoysala dynasty, this stunning shrine is dedicated to Lord Vishnu.
While it may not be the most ancient temple in India, it’s easily one of the most jaw-droppingly intricate. Every inch of the temple is covered in carvings! Dancers, gods, elephants, epic battle scenes, it’s like the Mahabharata was turned into a stone comic strip.
Location: Belur, Karnataka 573115
Timings: 7:30 AM - 7:30 PM
Entry fee: NIL
Photography: Allowed
11. Adi Kumbeshwara Temple, Kumbakonam
Welcome to Adi Kumbeshwara Temple, where the divine vibes flow as endlessly as the sacred waters of Kumbakonam. Believed to be over 1,300 years old, this temple is one of the India’s oldest temple with an uninterrupted legacy of worship.
Dedicated to Lord Shiva as Adi Kumbeshwara, the temple is said to mark the spot where pieces of divine KumBHA (POT) from a cosmic flood came to rest.
Location: 14/21, Kumbeswarar N St, Valayapettai Agraharam, Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu 612001
Timings: 6 AM - 12:30 PM And 4 PM - 9 PM
Entry fee: NIL
Photography: Allowed in outer areas
12. Dwarkadhish Temple, Dwarka
There’s something unforgettable about standing on the edge of the Arabian Sea, barefoot, with the wind in your face and the sound of temple bells ringing in the background. That’s Dwarkadhish temple for you, where spirituality meets sea breeze in the most cinematic way possible.
Located in the holy town of Dwarka, this temple is dedicated to Lord Krishna and is believed to be built right where he ruled his ancient kingdom. That’s why it’s counted among the oldest temples in India with a story that’s been passed down for generations.
Location: Dwarka, Gujarat 361335
Timings: 6 AM - 1 PM and 5 PM - 9:30 PM
Entry fee: NIL
Photography: Not allowed
Cut into rusty-red cliffs above Agastya Lake, the Badami Caves are a gentle step back to the 6th–7th centuries. If you’re tracing the story of the oldest mandir in india, this cluster is a beautiful stop, Shiva dancing as Nataraja, Vishnu’s avatars, and calm Jain figures, all carved in stone. It’s scenic, simple to explore, and magical at sunset.
Location: Badami, Karnataka 587201
Timings: 6 AM - 6 PM
Entry fee: INR 25
Photography: Allowed
14. Lad Khan Temple, Aihole
Enter Lad Khan Temple, one of the absolute oldest temples in India, and proudly doing things its way since the 5th century. Located in Aihole, this ancient wonder looks more like a chill stone hangout than a traditional temple. And fun fact? A prince once lived here.
It may not be flashy, but this place is full of quiet cham, timeless carvings and serious energy! If you are temple-hopping in Karnataka, this one’s a total must.
Location: 2V9J+XFH, Aihole, Karnataka 587124
Timings: 9 AM - 5 PM
Entry fee: INR 25
Photography: Allowed
15. Sri Venkateswara Temple, Tirupati
High up in the lush Tirumala Hills, sits the Sri Venkateswara Temple! Often hailed as the most ancient temple in India still visited by millions every year, this temple is a wholesome experience.
Devotees believe Lord Venkateswara still resides here in his idol form, radiating divine energy. And honestly? Step inside the grand golden gopurams, feel the chants vibrating through the air, and you might believe it too. With origins tracing back over two millennia, the temple’s legacy is stitched into the very fabric of South Indian culture.
Location: Tirumala, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh 517504
Timings: 2:30 AM - 1:30 AM
Entry fee: NIL
Photography: Not allowed
16. Brihadeeswarar Temple, Tamil Nadu
Step aside, skyscrapers - Brihadeeswarar Temple has been reaching for the skies since the 11th century! Located in the temple town of Thanjavur, this architectural marvel is not only a UNESCO World Heritage site but also one of the oldest temples in india that still leaves modern engineers scratching their heads. Commissioned by the Chola King Raja Raja Chola I in 1010 AD, this temple is a jaw-dropping tribut to Lord Shiva!
The walls are covered with intricate carvings, inscriptions and murals that offer a peek into Chola culture, war strategies and even fashion! And here’s a fun fact - the temple’s shadow never falls on the ground at noon. Myth? Magic? Architectural wizardry? You decide!
Location: Balaganapathy Nagar, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu 613001
Timings: 6 AM - 12:30 PM and 4 PM - 8:30 PM
Entry fee: NIL
Photography: Allowed
