Top 12 Most Ancient Hindu Temples In India

India indeed stands as the cradle of some of the world’s most ancient and influential religions. Among them, Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism hold the distinction of being among the oldest. Some experts trace the earliest roots of Hinduism back to prehistoric times, extending over ten thousand years ago.

In contemporary times, the enduring cultural influence of these ancient religions continues to be evident not only in India but also in various parts of Southeastern Asia, China, and Afghanistan. One of the distinguishing features of these four ancient religions is their profound emphasis on the construction of temple architecture.

Temples Plays Central Role In Hinduism

In India, temples hold a central role, contributing not only to the development of spiritual well-being but also to economic prosperity. As a result, one can discover millions of temples, each varying in size and architectural style, scattered throughout the country. Many of these temples boast a rich history, with some even earning recognition from UNESCO as world heritage sites.

These ancient temples serve as living testimonials to their resilience, having endured the test of time and the challenges posed by foreign invaders, particularly Islamic assailants. As such, I present to you a list of the top 12 oldest temples in India that are worth a visit at least once in a lifetime.

Sanchi Temple 17 (2400+ Years Old)

The Sanchi Temple 17, situated in Madhya Pradesh, stands as the oldest surviving stone temple in India. This temple was constructed during the rule of the Gupta dynasty in the late 4th century CE. Therefore, by calculation, the temple has a history spanning over 2,400 years.

Debates among experts persist regarding the original purpose of the temple. While some argue that it was built as a Buddhist temple, others contend that temple construction within Buddhism had not yet gained popularity during that period, suggesting that it might have been a Hindu temple.

Regardless of its original purpose, this unassuming-looking temple represents a significant milestone in the evolution of Indian temple architecture.

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Mundeshwari Temple (1900+ Years Old)

The Mundeshwari Temple, located in Bihar, stands as one of the oldest stone temples in India. According to the archaeological survey of India (ASI), the temple is estimated to be over 1,900 years old. It is also one of the earliest examples of Nagara Temple architecture, which is particularly prominent in northern India.

One distinctive feature of this Nagara temple is that the entire structure is built on a stone platform with steps leading up to it. According to experts, the Mundeshwari Temple was constructed during the Saka era. Remarkably, rituals and worship have been continuously conducted in the temple since its inception, rendering it one of the oldest functional temples in India. Over time, the main presiding deity has undergone multiple changes.

Lad Khan Temple (1500+ Years Old)

The Lad Khan Temple may not be an Islamic structure, but rather, it is one of the oldest temples in India. According to archaeological surveys, the temple was constructed around 450 AD, during the reign of the Chalukya dynasty. Therefore, by today’s calculations, the temple is over 1,500 years old.

Interestingly, in later years after the Chalukya dynasty, a Muslim prince named Lad Khan closed this Hindu temple and renamed it after himself. The temple features twelve external pillars and an open central area at the front. While it is currently considered a Shiva temple, legends suggest that it was initially intended to be a Vishnu temple.

Kevala Narasimha Temple (1500+ Years Old)

The Kevala Narasimha Temple stands as one of the oldest surviving temples in India, located in Maharashtra. This stone temple was constructed during the rule of the Vakataka dynasty in the 5th century CE. Consequently, the temple boasts a history of over 1,500 years.

One of the notable features of the Kevala Narasimha temple is an inscription etched into the interior wall of the temple. Although the inscription was originally composed in Sanskrit, many of its details have been lost to time.

Dashavatara Temple (1500+ Years Old)

The Dashavatara Temple is an ancient Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu and his ten avatars. It was constructed in the late 6th century, during the reign of the Gupta dynasty. Situated in Uttar Pradesh, the Dashavatara Temple holds the distinction of being the oldest-known Panchayatana-style temple in India. This architectural style involves the use of masonry, brick, and stone in temple construction.

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The main shrine of the temple is encircled by four smaller shrines. Unfortunately, many of these structures suffered significant damage due to ongoing looting during the early decades of the 20th century. Nevertheless, the temple is now under the protection of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

Kapoteswara Temple (1500+ Years Old)

The Kapoteswara Temple, one of the oldest temples in India, dates back to the 5th century. Located in the modern-day Guntur district of Andhra Pradesh, the temple derives its name from its presiding deity, Kapoteswara Swamy, who is an alternate name for Lord Shiva. Therefore, it is one of the oldest Shiva temples, with a history spanning 1,500 years.

The temple is also known as the Chejerla Temple and exhibits a blend of three distinct temple architectural styles: Nagara, Vesara, and Dravidian. While some scholars suggest that this temple may have been initially constructed as a prayer hall for local Buddhists, the inscriptions on the temple walls are in the Vakanta style, indicating its role as a Hindu shrine.

Bhitargaon Temple (1450+ Years Old)

The Bhitargaon Temple is recognized as the oldest surviving brick temple in India. Situated in Uttar Pradesh, this ancient temple was constructed during the reign of the Gupta dynasty in the 5th century. Thus, the temple boasts a history of over 1,450 years.

The temple walls are adorned with numerous depictions from Hindu mythology, featuring gods such as Lord Shiva, Vishnu, Ganesha, and Durga. While the temple has sustained significant damage over the centuries, notably in the mid-1800s, possibly due to a lightning strike, it still stands as a testament to India’s rich architectural and cultural heritage.

Mahabalipuram Shore Temple (1400+ Years Old)

The Shore Temple, situated on the banks of the Bay of Bengal, is a prominent attraction in Mahabalipuram. It stands as one of the oldest surviving stone temples in South India, constructed using solid granite stones that have withstood the test of time with minimal damage. These pyramid-like temples were built during the reign of the Pallava dynasty, making the temple at least 1,400 years old.

This stunning Shore Temple showcases the architectural finesse of ancient builders in India. Once a bustling village port, Mahabalipuram now draws thousands of visitors eager to glimpse the past through these ancient structures.

According to legend, there were once seven sister temples in existence, but today, only the Shore Temple remains to recount their story. It is said that the Shore Temple in Mahabalipuram also served as a landmark for the navigation of ships in the past.

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Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple (1300+ Years Old)

The Ranganathaswamy Temple is not only one of the largest but also one of the oldest temples in India. It boasts a total of 21 towers and 49 primary shrines. Constructed during the reign of the Chola dynasty over 1,300 years ago, the temple has retained its strength and grandeur through the centuries.

Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, this temple holds significant importance in the Bhakti movement and serves as an influential pilgrimage site. The temple complex sprawls over 156 acres of land, making it one of the wealthiest temples in India.

At the heart of the temple shrine, there is a colossal golden dome that reflects the opulence and prosperity of its era. Despite enduring several invasions in the past, the temple has managed to retain its significance among devotees of Lord Vishnu.

In recent times, the temple underwent extensive renovation and beautification efforts while preserving its age-old heritage. It now proudly stands as a national symbol of our cultural heritage and is recognized as such by UNESCO.

Gop Temple (1300+ Years Old)

The Gop temple, situated in Gujarat’s Jamnagar district, is believed to date back to the 6th century CE, although the exact time of construction remains uncertain due to a lack of clarity and evidence. It is assumed to have been built during the Maitraka dynasty, making it the oldest surviving temple in Gujarat.

This temple is among the oldest Shiva temples constructed using bricks and stones. According to experts, the temple was originally quite large, but over time, much of it has suffered damage and deterioration, leaving behind a peculiar skeletal structure that continues to captivate visitors.

Brihadeshwara Temple (1000+ Years Old)

The Brihadeshwara Temple stands as one of the oldest Shiva temples in India, having been built during the rule of the Chola dynasty in 1014 CE, making it over a thousand years old. As the largest and tallest temple in India, it has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

An intriguing aspect of this temple is that, despite its towering height, every day at noon, its shadow vanishes. This suggests that the ancient builders may have employed some architectural trickery in the temple’s design.

At the entrance of the temple shrine, there is a colossal statue of Nandi, Lord Shiva’s vehicle, which has been carved from a single rock. This magnificent statue measures approximately 16 feet in length and 14 feet in height. The temple itself is constructed entirely from solid granite stone, a testament to its enduring presence over the centuries with minimal damage.

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Shiba Prasad

Shiba Prasad

I've been captivated by India's ancient history and Vedic culture. What began as a hobby, reading books on Hinduism, has now turned into my full-time commitment, researching and writing for this blog. When not working, I enjoy spending time with friends.

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