One thing that stands out about South India is its beautiful temples. These temples are not just places to pray; they are stories carved onto stone. Each one of these temples in South India have a story about kings, gods, art, and devotion that has been passed on for hundreds of years.
Every temple in South India shows how deeply the people believe and how rich their culture is. For example, Tamil Nadu has grand Dravidian towers, and Kerala has peaceful shrines surrounded by coconut trees. Some are famous for their beautiful buildings, while others are famous for the strong stories they tell.
In this blog, we'll look at 12 famous temples in South India that every traveler should see at least once. Not only for spiritual reasons, but also to see the art, history, and heart of southern India. These are a must add on your itinerary for 2025.
12 Famous Temples in South India
Even though every temple in south India is unique, the one thing common is how the temples are crafted. If you want to skip every temple that comes on your way and focus on only the famous ones, this is a list of 12 best temples in south India that you must visit without any doubt on your mind:
1. Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai (Tamil Nadu)
The Meenakshi Amman Temple is a big part of Tamil culture and one of the most well-known temples to visit in South India. The temple is known for its 14 colorful gopurams that are covered with thousands of carved figures. They are dedicated to Goddess Meenakshi and Lord Sundareswarar, who are treated as a form of Lord Shiva. The temple complex has long halls, holy ponds, and busy markets where people are dedicated and full of energy. The Chithirai Festival brings Madurai into life with religious ceremonies every year. Anyone who is interested in the spiritual and artistic history of South India should definitely see it.
Location: Madurai, Tamil Nadu
Timings: 5:00 AM - 12:30 PM and 4:00 PM - 10:00 PM
How to Reach: You can easily take a flight or come via train. The temple is around 12 km from Madurai Airport and just 1 km from Madurai Junction Railway Station.
2. Brihadeeswarar Temple, Thanjavur (Tamil Nadu)
Brihadeeswara Temple is one of the famous hindu temple in South India which is known to be built by Raja Raja Chola I in the 11th century and is now famously regarded as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Lots of people love this big temple because it has a huge stone tower that is almost 66 meters tall. It's a gift to Lord Shiva. Old stories about the strong Chola Empire are told in the carvings and writing on the walls of the temple. It shows how smart the builders and artists in South India were in the past by showing how much they paid attention to detail and size. Tamil Nadu is still proud of its rich past because of the temple. It attracts a lot of visitors every year.
Location: Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu
Timings: 6:00 AM - 12:30 PM and 4:00 PM - 8:30 PM
How to Reach: The temple is located about 5 km from Thanjavur Railway Station and 60 km from Trichy Airport.
3. Sri Venkateswara Temple, Tirupati (Andhra Pradesh)
The Sri Venkateswara Temple in Tirupati is one of the most famous Hindu temples in South India. The temple attracts a lot of visitors every year. People who visit this temple and have faith in Lord Venkateswara (a form of Vishnu) are said to have their wishes come true. The idol of the main god is covered in gold and has jewels all over it. The spiritual energy of Tirumala Hills makes the area feel even more divine. People who go to the temple often say it's a once-in-a-lifetime experience that brings them deep peace and blessings.
Location: Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh
Timings: 2:30 AM - 1:30 AM (next day)
How to Reach: The nearest airport is Tirupati Airport (15 km away), and Tirupati Railway Station is just 3 km from the temple.
4. Ramanathaswamy Temple, Rameswaram (Tamil Nadu)
The Ramanathaswamy Temple is located in the Rameswaram Island and is one of the best temples to visit in South India. It is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is closely linked to the story of Lord Rama, who is said to have built a bridge from this island to Lanka, while he was trying to save his wife from the evil ravan. The temple has the longest corridor of any Hindu temple in India. It is decorated with more than 1,000 pillars. People think that its 22 holy wells hold holy water that can heal various diseases. As part of the Char Dham Yatra, many pilgrims come here, making it a very sacred spot.
Location: Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu
Timings: 5:00 AM - 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM - 9:00 PM
How to Reach: Rameswaram has its own railway station, and the nearest airport is in Madurai, about 170 km away.
5. Virupaksha Temple, Hampi (Karnataka)
The Virupaksha Temple is one of the historical temples in south India. The temple is calmly situated in the historic town of Hampi, which is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site today. This temple, in the name of Lord Shiva, was built in the 7th century and has been used for worship ever since. The tall gateway tower and old carvings show how grand the Vijayanagara Empire was. The temple is next to the Tungabhadra River, which gives it great views of the rocky area around it. The Hampi Festival brings music, dance, and devotion to the temple grounds every year.
Location: Hampi, Karnataka
Timings: 6:00 AM - 6:00 PM
How to Reach: The nearest railway station is Hospet (13 km away), while Hubli Airport is around 166 km from Hampi.
6. Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, Srirangam (Tamil Nadu)
The Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple in Srirangam is one of the biggest and most famous temples in South India. It is a work of art in Dravidian architecture that covers 150 acres and has seven overlapping boundaries. It is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The Rajagopuram, which is the main tower of the temple, is 72 meters tall and is one of the tallest in Asia. Every carving, hall, and shrine shows how deeply devoted the people were and how well they built things. Ranganatha, the reclining form of Vishnu, is a sacred place for pilgrims from all over India. It is one of Tamil Nadu's most important religious sites.
Location: Srirangam, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu
Timings: 6:00 AM - 9:00 PM
How to Reach: The temple is 10 km from Tiruchirappalli Railway Station and around 15 km from Trichy Airport.
7. Padmanabhaswamy Temple, Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala)
People say that the Padmanabhaswamy Temple is one of the best temples in South India because it is mysterious, wealthy and devoted. People say that Lord Vishnu is lying on the snake Anantha in this place. The temple's Dravidian-style architecture and golden tower are both beautiful and grand. When hidden treasure worth billions was found in the temple's underground chambers, it became famous around the world. Only Hindus can go in, and they must wear traditional clothes. The peaceful setting and divine energy make it a holy and peaceful place to visit in the capital city of Kerala.
Location: Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala
Timings: 3:30 AM - 12:00 PM and 5:00 PM - 8:30 PM
How to Reach: The temple is about 6 km from Thiruvananthapuram International Airport and 1 km from the railway station.
8. Murudeshwar Temple, Uttara Kannada (Karnataka)
Murudeshwar Temple is one of the most important temples in South India to pay a visit to. It is known for its beautiful location on the coast and the second-tallest statue of Lord Shiva in the world. The temple is on a hill by the Arabian Sea, and from every angle, the views are amazing. Visitors can take an elevator to the top of its 20-story gopuram to get a 360-degree view of the ocean. The temple is a popular place for both pilgrims and tourists because it is both spiritual and beautiful. The nearby Murudeshwar Beach makes it even more charming, making it a great place to relax.
Location: Murudeshwar, Uttara Kannada, Karnataka
Timings: 6:00 AM - 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM - 8:00 PM
How to Reach: The nearest railway station is Murudeshwar Station (2 km away), and Mangalore Airport is 160 km from the temple.
9. Sri Krishna Temple, Guruvayur (Kerala)
It is one of the most famous Hindu temples in south India. The temple is devoted to Lord Krishna and is recognized for its calmness and the fact that its rituals have remained the same for hundreds of years. People believe that the Krishna statue here is almost 5,000 years old and was made from a rare stone called "Pathalanjana Shila." People that come here to pray think that it will help them solve their issues and make them successful. The temple also has big festivals like Guruvayur Ekadasi, which gather people from all across India.
Location: Guruvayur, Thrissur, Kerala
Timings: 3:00 AM - 12:30 PM and 4:30 PM - 9:15 PM
How to Reach: The nearest railway station is Guruvayur (1 km away), and Cochin International Airport is 80 km from the temple.
10. Vaitheeswaran Koil, Nagapattinam (Tamil Nadu)
One of the age-old temples in South India is Vaitheeswaran Koil, which is dedicated to Lord Shiva as the divine healer, Vaitheeswaran. People think that taking a holy dip in the temple's tank can make them healthy and get rid of diseases. The name of the temple means "the God of healing," and every year thousands of people come to pray for health and happiness. There is also a connection between the shrine and the well-known "Nadi astrology," which uses palm-leaf manuscripts to make personal predictions. This temple is one of a kind because it combines faith, history, and healing.
Location: Nagapattinam District, Tamil Nadu
Timings: 6:00 AM - 12:30 PM and 4:00 PM - 9:00 PM
How to Reach: The temple is 13 km from Mayiladuthurai Railway Station and around 60 km from Thanjavur.
11. Chamundeshwari Temple, Mysuru (Karnataka)
The Chamundeshwari Temple is on top of Chamundi Hill and is commonly known to be dedicated to Goddess Chamundeshwari, which is one of the fierce forms of Durga. Just like many other temples in South India, this temple also shows Dravidian-style architecture including beautifully crafted figures of gods and goddesses. It is famous for its 1,000-step climb and views of the city of Mysuru. The Dasara festival that takes place here is a significant attraction, bringing in thousands of devotees. The temple's spiritual atmosphere and beautiful setting make it an important place to visit and pilgrimage in Karnataka.
Location: Chamundi Hill, Mysuru, Karnataka
Timings: 6:00 AM - 12:30 PM & 4:30 PM - 8:30 PM
How to Reach: Mysuru Railway Station is 13 km away, and Mysuru Airport is around 15 km from the temple.
12. Aihole Durga Temple, Bagalkot (Karnataka)
The ancient Durga Temple, one of the oldest temples in South India, is in Aihole, which is known as the "cradle of Indian architecture." The Chalukyas built this temple in the 7th century, and it is a symbol of early Indian art. Its curved apsidal shape looks like a Buddhist chaitya hall, and stone-carved pillars and friezes around it show scenes from Hindu epics. Every corner of Aihole shows off centuries-old art and devotion, making it feel like you're stepping back in time. This is one of the temples in South India that history and architecture admirers should not miss.
Location: Aihole, Bagalkot District, Karnataka
Timings: 6:00 AM - 6:00 PM
How to Reach: The nearest railway station is Bagalkot (35 km away), and Hubli Airport is around 140 km from Aihole.
Conclusion
South India is an amazing collection of spiritual heritage, with a perfect mix of devotion, history, and beautiful structures. These temples show centuries of faith, art, and culture. This area has something for every traveler and devotee, whether you want to see the ancient temples in South India, or plan your trip to the best temples in South India to connect with spiritual energy. South India has a lot of temples to see, and each one has its own story, colorful festivals, and spiritual experiences that will stay with you. Hence, there is enough reason to start planning your trip and enjoy the divine beauty of amazing temples in South India
