Northern India is popular amongst the tourist as a pilgrimage center owing to the numerous temples, including Hindu, Jain and Buddhist. In fact, the North India temples are the domiciles of divine and peaceful atmosphere. The temples of North India are constructed in the typical Nagara style. According to this style, the structure consists of two buildings, the main place of worship should be taller and an adjoining shorter mandapa. The key difference between these two is the shape of the Sikhara. In the main shrine, a bell shaped structure adds to the height of the temple. There is the kalasa at the top as in all Hindu temples. The ayudha or emblem of the presiding deity is also present. The basic structure of temples in India is a room or garbhagriha where the idol of the main deity is kept.

The temple is approached by a flight of steps and is often built on a platform. A porch covers the entrance to the temples usually supported by carved pillars. A large and striking roof called the Shikhara reaches at the top of the Garbhagriha that usually dominates the surroundings. Depending on the form and shape of the Shikhara and also the distinctiveness of its decoration, temple architecture in India is segregated into two types. The Shikhara of the temples in North India resembles an upturned cone that is decorated with miniature conical Shikharas. There are also some temples in North India which developed their own local flavor, setting aside their basic native style.

Prominent among the north India temples is the Golden Temple or Darbar Sahib, located in Amritsar, Punjab. This is the most sacred places of worship for the Sikhs and symbolizes the strength and magnificence of the Sikhs throughout the world. This temple also symbolizes the spirit of acceptance and tolerance propounded by the Sikh philosophy. Some of the other major temples in North India are Khajuraho Temples, Lingaraja Temple, Mukteswara Temple, Naina Devi Temple, Orcha Temple, Somnath Temple, Lotus Temple, Sun Temple - Konark, Maha Bodhi Temple, Sun Temple - Modhera, Vaishno Devi, Lakshmi Narayan Temple, Omkareshwar Temple, Shankracharya Temple, etc.

Several other Temples in north Indian states are:

Jammu and Kashmir temples:
The state of Jammu and Kashmir has abundant towering temples striking the skyline. Raghunath group of temples in Jammu city is the largest in North India. Vaishnodevi in Jammu and Amarnath in Kashmir attract millions of pilgrims throughout the year, as these are places of great religious importance.

Some of the important temples in North India can be mentioned as follows
Amarnath Temple situated at Pahalgam city, Vaishno Devi Temple at Jammu, Raghunath temple at Jammu, Shankracharya Temple at Jammu, Avantipur Temple at Avantipur, Sudh Mahadev at Patnitop, Babor Temple at Srinagar Bahu Fort and Temple at Jammu, are some of the important one.

Himachal Pradesh Temples:
Himachal Pradesh is a land of God and Goddesses as it is rightly said as `Devabhoomi`. There are more than 2000 religious places scattered all over Himachal Pradesh. Many of these are quite well known and attract thousands of devotees throughout the year. In this hilly state there are some temples dedicated to village deities. Every village as well as kinship in this state has its own deities.

The following are some of the temples placed in caves or hills of Himachal Pradesh in North India -
Chamunda Devi situated at Kangra, Jwalamukhi Temple at Dharamshala, Jhakhu Temple at Shimla, Chaintpurni Temple at Una, Naina Devi Temple at Bilaspur, Bhutanath Temple at Mandi, Bhimakali Temple at Sarhan, Balasundati Temple at Nahan, Lakshmi Narayan Temple at Chamba, etc.

Haryana Temples:
Haryana is abundant with numerous temples. The Early morning in Haryana always experiences the bell ring, devotional songs which make the atmosphere heavenly. Mansa Devi Temple, Birla Mandir, Sthaneshwar Mahadev Temple, Shiv Temple, Sheetala Devi Temple, Sita Mai Temple are some of the important temples which are situates in the state of Haryana in North India.

Punjab Temples: In sixteen century, Sikhism started in Punjab that can easily be depicted in the holy temples or Gurudwaras. All the religious places in Punjab hold the same religious significance for both Hindus and Sikhs. The Harmandir Sahib or Golden Temple is very famous and calls the devotee from all corners of the world.

Some of the other important temples of Punjab state of north India are as follows -
Gurudwara Alamgir, Devi Talab Mandir, Ram Tirth, Panch Mandir, Durqiana Mandir or Lakshmi Narain Temple, Shiv Mandir, Kali Devi Temple, etc.

Uttarakhand Temples:
There are various temples situated in the Uttarakhand that gathered devotees throughout the year. Char Dham makes one of the major pilgrimage centers that include four most worshiped Hindu temples viz Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath. According to the Hindus the Char Dham Yatra is of highly religious significance. Pilgrims all over the country visit the holy place every year and offer puja as well.

Some of the important temples in Uttarakhand of North India are as follows
Rudranath temple, Mansa Devi temple, Naina Devi temple, Madmaheshwar Temple, Gangotri Temple, Lakha Mandal Temple, Har ki Pauri, Neelkanth Mahadev are some of them.

Uttar Pradesh Temples:
Uttar Pradesh has some of the ancient and sacred temples of India. From ancient times these temples have provided the healing touch to the anxious devotees. People from all parts of the country come and visit the place to take some peace in life.

The important temples of Uttar Pradesh state in North India are as follows
Vishwanath Temple, Sarnath Temple, Vindhyanchal Temple, Baldeva Dauji Temple, Ram Janmabhoomi, Banke Bihari Temple are some of the significant ones.

Rajasthan Temples:
The temples of Rajasthan are of great architectural value that gripped the entire state from the 8th to the 11th century.

The distinguished among these are -
Birla Mandir, Eklingji Temple, Ossian Temples, Jain Temples, Govind Devji Temple, Someshvara Temple, Dilwara Temples, Mahavira Temple, Sas Bahu Temple, Galta Temple, Brahma Temple and Kalki Mata Temple.

Delhi Temples:
In Delhi there are some of the glorious modern temples of India. The city has a nice blend of ancient and modern temples. Some of the important temples, which are remarkable in Delhi, are as follows - Iskcon Temple, Chattarpur Mandir, Lotus Temple, Hanuman Mandir, KaliBari Mandir, Kalkaji Mandir, Lakshmi Narayan Temple, etc.

Mind blowing architectural design of the north India temples influenced by cultural union sprinkles the drops of devotion in every heart. Overwhelmed is each and every soul and a spiritual air covers the surrounding as these magnificent monuments touches the thread of life.