Temple in Indonesia Tanah Lot

The oldest religion in the world, Hinduism is widely practiced in the Indian sub-continent and various parts of Southeast Asia. It has billions of followers around the world. A Hindu temple is a consecrated house where the Gods dwell, and contains their idol and images. Hindu temples are large and magnificent with a rich history. Over many centuries, Hindu temples have been built across the world in many countries.

Here is the list of some of the most astounding and gorgeous Hindu temples outside India, which should be a part of your itinerary when you are globetrotting:

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1. Angkor Wat – Cambodia

One of the iconic Hindu temple outside India, Angkor Wat is one of the world’s largest religious shrine in Cambodia. It was built in the 12th century by the Khmer King Suryavarman II. The temple complex spans over an area of 162 hectares. Built as a temple dedicated to God Vishnu, its original name was ‘Vrah Vishnuloka’, meaning sacred abode of Vishnu. However, by the end of the 12th century it was gradually transformed into a Buddhist temple. Angkor Wat, in Khmer language means “Temple City”. The temple is a national icon and is admired for its architecture and grandeur. In 1992, the temple was nominated as a UNESCO World Heritage site and is country’s main attraction for visitors from around the world.

Angkor Wat – Cambodia- Hindu Temples outside India
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2. Pashupatinath Temple – Kathmandu, Nepal

An astonishing Hindu temple outside of India, Pashupati Nath temple is the oldest Hindu temple in Nepal, dedicated to God Shiva. Located on the banks of the Bagmati river, the temple complex has many temples, ashrams, images and inscriptions. There are many legends about the origin of the temple, dating its existence to 400 BC, however, it is not known for certain as to when it was founded. The temple complex covers an area of 624 hectares including 518 temples and monuments. Maha Shivaratri is one of the major festivals of the temple, with over a million devotes visiting the complex. While people from all religions can visit the periphery of the temple, only practicing Hindus are allowed to enter the inner courtyard. Pashupati Nath is a UNESCO heritage site and every year thousands of visitors come to pay their respect to Pashupati Nath or ‘the Lord of All Beings’.

Pashupatinath Temple Kathmandu
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3. Prambanan Temple – Java, Indonesia

The largest Hindu temple site in Indonesia and one of the biggest in Southeast Asia, the Prambanan Temple is a 9th century Hindu temple compound. It is located on the boundary between central Java and the Yogyakarta provinces. The temple is dedicated to the Trimurti of Hindu Gods – Brahma (The Creator), Vishnu (The Protector) and Shiva (The Destroyer). The temple complex has 8 main shrines called the “Gopuras’, towering 47 metres high inside a large complex of individual temples. There are further surrounded by hundreds of smaller ‘Gopuras’. The walls of the temples have hand carved arts, that narrate stories of Hindu Epic Ramayana and Bhagavata Purana. The temple complex is a UNESCO heritage Site and attracts visitors from around the world.

Prambanan Temple Indonesia
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4. Tanah Lot Temple – Bali, Indonesia

Situated on a large offshore rock, the Tanah Lot temple is one of the seven sea temples, along the western coast of Bali. Each of these temples stand next to the other, forming a long chain along the coast. It is a photographer’s paradise with its breath taking magnificence and splendor. Of the many Hindu temples in Bali, It is perhaps the most famous one. It has been part of the Balinese mythology for centuries and been significantly influenced by Hinduism. The main deity of the temple is ‘Dewa Baruna’ who is the Sea God. It is a favored destinations for tourists in Bali due to its stunning natural beauty.

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Tanah Lot Temple Bali Indonesia
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5. Batu Caves Sri Subramaniar Swamy Devasthanam – Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

The Batu Caves are a series of limestone caves located north of Kuala Lampur in Malaysia and contains the tallest status of Lord Murugan (47.2 metres) in the world, at its entrance. Rising almost a hundred metres above the ground, the visitors have to climb a steep flight of 272 stairs. The temple dedicated to Lord Murugan, is one of the most popular Tamil shrines outside India, and the focal point of the Hindu festival Thaipusam in Malaysia. It attracts many pilgrims and tourists from Malaysia, India, Singapore and Australia.

Batu Caves Temple Sri Subramaniar Swamy Devasthanam Malaysia
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6. Arulmigu Sri Rajakaliamman Glass Temple – Johor Bahru, Malaysia

Built in a hut like simple shelter in 1922, at Johar Bahru, Malaysia, the Arulmigu Sri Rajakaliamman temple is today a major Hindu temple outside India. Sri Sinnathamby Sivaswamy, who took over as the chief priest of the temple in 1991, was inspired to transform it into a glass temple, after he visited Thailand and saw a temple which had glass artwork at its entrance. Almost 90% of the temple is embellished by a montage of 300,000 pieces of multi colored glass. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and has a ‘lotus’ as a centerpiece in the Athma Lingam sanctuary, where devotees can pour rose water and pray. The temple walls are covered with 300,000 Mukni Rudraksha beads, with each bead embossed in the wall with a chanted prayer. The temple is listed in the Malaysia Books of records as the only glass temple in the country, and perhaps the world too.

Arulmigu Sri Rajakaliamman Glass Temple Malaysia
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7. Shri Venkateswara (Balaji) Temple – Tividale, England

Modelled after the famous Tirupati Balaji temple in India, the Shri Venkateshwara (Balaji) temple is the largest Hindu temple in Europe which is dedicated to Lord Venkateshwara, also called Balaji. It opened on August 23, 2006 after a five day consecration ceremony. The main shrine of the temple houses a 12 feet statue of Lord Venkateshwara, who is considered an incarnation of God Vishnu. The statues of his wife Padmavati (incarnation of Vishnu’s wife Goddess Lakshmi) and Monkey King Hanuman are on either side of the presiding deity. The temple is open to people of all religions.

Shri Venkateswara (Balaji) Temple England
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8. Radha Madhav Dham – Texas, USA

Originally called the Barsana Dham ,the Radha Madhav Dham is a temple dedicated to Lord Krishna. It is the oldest Hindu temple in Texas and the largest in North America. It is also one of the largest Hindu temple complexes in the Western Hemisphere. There are areas around the temple that have been built as places for meditation. Built as a representation of the holy land of Braj in India, where Radha and Krishna are believed to have lived, the temple is known for the biggest Janamshtami (birth of Lord Krishna) celebrations in the entire North America.

Radha Madhav Dham Temple Texas USA
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9. Shri Krishna Temple – Muscat, Oman

This beautiful temple was built by the merchant community of Gujarat settled in Muscat in the year 1987. It was then renovated extensively in order to provide all facilities for the visitors, including a multipurpose hall that can accommodate 500-700 worshipers. It is a popular place of worship and celebration during the festival of Navaratri.

Shri Krishna Temple Oman
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10. Shri Swaminarayan Temple – Atlanta, USA

The Shri Swaminarayan Temple in Atlanta, Georgia, is one of the largest Hindu temples in the USA. It was inaugurated on 26 August, 2007. This massive 32000 square feet temple has been constructed in accordance with the ancient Hindu architectural scriptures, on landscaped grounds spread over an area of 30 acres. The main shrine has the idol of Swaminarayan along with Gunatitanand Swami. This beautiful temple is made of over 34000 pieces of hand carved Italian marble, Turkish limestone and Indian Pink sandstone. People of all faiths and backgrounds are allowed to visit the temple for worship in this beautiful temple.

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Temples in USA - BAPS Swaminarayan Temple – Atlanta
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11. Shri Kali Temple – Yangon, Burma

The Shri Kali temple is 147 years old Hindu temple located in Little India of Yangon downtown in Burma (now called Myanmar). In 1871, Tamil migrants from India built this temple while Burma was part of British India. The beautiful stone carvings of Hindu Gods on the roof and wall are breath taking. The temple is noted for its colorful architecture. The temple is maintained by the local Indian community in Yangon.

Shri Kali Temple – Yangon Burma
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12. Sri Siva Subramaniya Temple – Nadi, Fiji

With a big population of people of Indian origins in Fiji, the Sri Siva Subramaniya temple is almost a century old Hindu temple. It was first constructed in 1926 at the southern end of Nadi. On the occasion of its Golden Jubilee celebrations, the foundation of the new temple was laid in 1976. The temple was rebuilt following the traditional Dravidian architecture as well as per the principles of Vaastu. The new construction was completed in 1986. It is the largest Hindu temple in the Southern Hemisphere.

Sri Siva Subramaniya Temple, Nadi Fiji
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13. Shri Shiva Vishnu Temple – Victoria, Australia

Located in the Carrum Downs suburb of Melbourne, the Shri Shiva Vishnu temple is the largest Hindu temple in the state of Victoria. The temple was consecrated in 1994 and is dedicated to the worship of Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu. The two dominant streams of Hindu traditions are seen together in the temple. Thousands of devotees regularly attend various ceremonies and festival celebrations every year.

Hindu Temple in Australia - Shiva Vishnu Temple Victoria
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14. Nallur Kandaswamy Temple – Jaffna District, Sri Lanka

The original Kandaswamy temple, also called Nallur Murugan Kovil, was founded in the 10th century. It is said that the Chola Queen ‘Sembiyan Mahadevi’ bequeathed the bronze idol of the Goddess of Nallur temple worshiped today. The present temple was constructed in 1743 A.D. Over the centuries and to date, the temple has been gradually renovated and many additions have been made to it, to bring the temple to its current splendor. The temple is dedicated to Hindu God of war, Lord Murugan. He is the son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. The temple is one of the most significant Hindu temples is Sri Lanka.

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Temples in Sri Lanks Nallur Kandaswamy
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15. Sri Venkateswara Temple – Pittsburgh, USA

Located in Penn Hills, an eastern suburb of Pittsburgh, the Sri Venkateswara temple is one of the earliest Hindu temples built in North America. The Sri Venkateswara Temple organization was incorporated on Aug 7, 1975. The deity, Lord Venkata (incarnation of Lord Vishnu) rests in the sanctum sanctorum.

Temples in America - Sri Venkateswara Temple Pittsburgh
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These are just some of the most beautiful Hindu temples outside India. So whenever you plan a trip to these countries, try and visit them and experience the spirituality.

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