9 Famous Oldest Temples In India

Mundeshwari Temple, Bihar

– Date: Estimated to be built around 108 AD. – Significance: Considered the oldest functional temple in India. – Deity: Lord Shiva and Shakti. – Architecture: Octagonal plan with intricate carvings

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Kailasa Temple, Ellora, Maharashtra

– Date: Built in the 8th century by the Rashtrakuta king Krishna I. – Significance: Rock-cut monolithic structure. – Deity: Lord Shiva. – Architecture: Dravidian style with detailed rock carvings.

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Jagatpita Brahma Temple, Pushkar, Rajasthan

– Date: Believed to be 2000 years old. – Significance: One of the very few temples dedicated to Lord Brahma. – Deity: Lord Brahma. – Architecture: Red spire and hamsa (swan) motif.

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Konark Sun Temple, Odisha

– Date: Built in the 13th century by King Narasimhadeva I. – Significance: UNESCO World Heritage Site. – Deity: Surya (Sun God). – Architecture: Chariot-shaped structure with intricate carvings.

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Kedarnath Temple, Uttarakhand

– Date: Believed to have been built by the Pandavas, reconstructed by Adi Shankaracharya in the 8th century. – Significance: One of the 12 Jyotirlingas. – Deity: Lord Shiva. – Architecture: Stone construction with simplistic yet majestic design.

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Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai, Tamil Nadu

– Date: Originally built around the 6th century BC, reconstructed in the 17th century. – Significance: Dedicated to Goddess Meenakshi and Lord Sundareswarar. – Deity: Meenakshi (Parvati) and Sundareswarar (Shiva). – Architecture: Dravidian style with towering gopurams (gateway towers)

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Mahabodhi Temple, Bodh Gaya, Bihar

– Date: Built in the 5th-6th century AD. – Significance: UNESCO World Heritage Site; the site where Buddha attained enlightenment. – Deity: Lord Buddha. – Architecture: Brick structure with a large pyramidal spire.

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Somnath Temple, Gujarat

– Date: Believed to be originally built in the 4th century AD. – Significance: First among the 12 Jyotirlinga shrines of Shiva. – Deity: Lord Shiva. – Architecture: Rebuilt several times; current structure in Chalukya style.

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Lingaraj Temple, Bhubaneswar, Odisha

– Date: Built in the 11th century. – Significance: One of the oldest and largest temples in Bhubaneswar. – Deity: Lord Shiva (Harihara). – Architecture: Kalinga architecture with a massive spire and intricate carvings.

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