Main temples in India

Vaishnodevi Temple:
The holy cave shrine of Vaishno Devi is said to have been built by the five Pandavas. The length of the cave is about 98 ft. The symbols of a large number of gods and goddesses of the Hindu pantheon can be seen here.
Within the cave are ancient images of three deities, the Mahakali, Mahalakshmi and Mahasaraswati. Popular belief holds that anybody who walks up to the shrine of Vaishno Devi to ask for a boon rarely goes back disappointed. There are many who journey here year after year to pay obeisance, regardless of their faith or belief, creed or class for Mata Vaishno Devi transcends all such barriers.
The canopies of the idols are made up of silver and gold. Pilgrims from all over India throng the place all the year round. One has to acquire a pass at Katra, to visit the shrine.

Tirupati Venkateshwaswami Temple:
The Puranic conception of the hill is that it represents the body of Adisesha (a seven hooded serpent) the seven hills being his seven heads, on top of which Lord Vishnu the protector of the world rests. One of the most important pilgrimage in India, the temple draws millions of pilgrims and is believed to be the busiest pilgrimage centre in the world.
The temple of Tirupati Balaji in south India is one of the most revered and sacred shrines in the country. Millions of devotees visit the temple to seek to blessings of Lord Vishnu-the patron deity of the temple.
The shrine is a unique example of the Dravidian architecture. The temple has an exquisitely carved Gopuram facing the east. The Vimana is completely covered with the gold plate, Ananda Nilayam.

Golden Temple:
The temple is located on a small island in the centre of a pool called the amrit-sar ('pool of nectar') and is connected to land by a marble causeway.Amritsar derieves its name from Amrit Sarovar, the holy tank that surrounds the fabulous Golden Temple.The golden colour comes from the overlay of gold foil, hence the name. Golden Temple has a unique feature, here the devotees have to step down to offer their homage unlike other temples where the devotees have to climb up to offer their salutation.
This wonderful temple of God has been built at the lowest level because it represents the humility of Guru Nanak.The architecture of the temple is considered as the epitome of dexterity and creativity and it represents a unique harmony between the Muslims and the Hindus.

Madura Meenakshi Temple:
Madurai is called the `Athens of the East' because of the way myth meets life here. Legends of warrior princesses, the gods falling in love and divine promises abound.
Originally called Madhurapuram because honey (madhu) is said to have dripped off the locks of Shiva here, Madurai is now the second largest city in Tamil Nadu. is now among the most important pilgrimages for Hindus.
The original temple was built by Kulasekara Pandya, but the entire credit for making the temple as splendid as it is today goes to the Nayaks. The Nayaks ruled Madurai from the 16th to the 18th century and left a majestic imprint of their rule in the Meenakshi - Sundareswarar Temple.

Haridwar:
Haridwar located in the foothills of the Himalayas, represents the point where the Ganga reaches the plains. Haridwar is an ancient pilgrimage site, held in reverence for centuries. Haridwar stands as the gateway to the four pilgrimages of Uttrakhand. Mentioned as Mayapuri, Gangadwar, Mokshadwar in the ancient scriptures and epics. Legend has it that the holy Ganga, the holiest of all rivers, which flows through this sacred city has actually been sanctified by the powerful Trinity of Hindu mythology and the centre of the pantheon - Lord Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh.
Shiridi Saibaba Temple:
The Shirdi Saibaba Temple, located at Shirdi, Maharashtra, India attracts millions of devotees of all religions, castes and creed who come to pay homage to Shri Sai Baba. The temple is a beautiful shrine that was built over the Samadhi of Shri Sai Baba.

Shirdi is a small village in Kopargam taluk, in Ahmadnagar District of the Maharastra State. When Baba was physically present at the age of 20 in Shirdi, it was a small village of 80 thatched houses with mud walls. Today it is a big town with palatial modern buildings and shops.Thursday is the day Saibaba is specially worshipped. On this day devotees from all over India visit Shirdi for Darshan of Saibaba.

Khajuraho Temples:
The fascinating temples of Khajuraho, India's unique gift of love to the world, in the state of Madhya Pradesh, were built between 950 and 1050 A.D. Khajuraho derives its name from the Khajur tree (the date palm tree) which can be found in abundance in the area. Khajuraho is a well visited tourist center. This village houses several temples built in the Indo Aryan Nagara style of architecture.
Khajuraho is a fascinating village with a quaint, rural ambience and a rich cultural heritage. The Khajuraho temples are internationally famous for the erotic sculptures that adorn the walls.

Varanasi:
Varanasi is one of the oldest cities in the world . Known as the city of temples and learning , it sis a place of great pilgrim significance. Lord Shiva seems to have found this city. This place is the center of learning and the tradition has been kept alive even today. Varanasi is the city which enshrines the very essence of hinduism. Also known as Kashi and Banaras, home to some of the most ancient monasteries, this is the place where scholars still come to acquire knowledge. The river-front of the city is decorated by hundreds of well built ghats which is a unique feature. Banaras has been famous for the 'Gharanas' in the Classical Music and Singing.