South India possesses a myriad range of religious monuments, most notably the richest plethora of Hindu temples prominently spread all across the state of Tamil Nadu.
Venkateswara Temple, Tirumala
Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple is a globally famed Vaishnavite temple situated in the hill town of Tirumala in Tirupati city, in the Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh. Dedicated to Lord Venkateswara, an incarnation of Vishnu, it is the richest temple in the world in terms of donations and wealth, with a daily footfall of 50,000 to 100,000 devotees. On festivals like the annual Brahmotsavam, the pilgrims" count shoots up to 500,000, making it the most visited holy place in the world.
Kailasanatha Temple, Kanchipuram
The oldest structure in Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu, Kailasanathar Temple is a Dravidian-style Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. Dating back to late 7th century, the temple structure encompasses 58 small shrines dedicated to various manifestations of Shiva, built into niches on the inner face of high compound wall of the circumambulatory passage. The low-slung sandstone compound contains numerous carvings including many half-animal deities.
Sri Ramanathaswamy Temple, Rameshwaram
Ramanathaswamy Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Shiva, located on Rameswaram island in Tamil Nadu. It is one of the 12 Jyotirlinga temples of Shiva and has the longest corridor among all Hindu temples in India. A sacred site for Shaivites, Vaishnavites and Smarthas, its presiding deity is the Lingam of Ramanathaswamy (Shiva), which is believed to have been established and worshipped by Rama, to absolve the sins during the Ramayana war at Sri Lanka. The temple is one of the four holiest Hindu Char Dhams across the country.
Meenakshi Amman Temple
Meenakshi Amman Temple is a historic Hindu temple located in the temple city of Madurai, Tamil Nadu, dedicated to Parvati, known as Meenakshi and her consort, Shiva, here named Sundareswarar. It houses 14 gopurams (gateway towers), ranging from 45 to 50 metres in height, two golden sculptured vimanas, the shrines over the sanctums of the main deities. An estimated 33,000 sculptures adorn the temple.
Mecca Masjid, Hyderabad
Mecca Masjid is one of the oldest mosques in Hyderabad, Telangana, a listed heritage building in the old city, close to historical landmarks Chowmahalla Palace and Charminar. Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah, the 5th ruler of Qutb Shahi dynasty, commissioned bricks made from the soil brought from Mecca, the holiest site of Islam and employed in construction of the central arch, giving the mosque its name.
Guru Nanak Jhira Sahib, Karnataka
Guru Nanak Jhira Sahib is a Sikh historical shrine in Bidar, Karnataka, established in 1948 and dedicated to Guru Nanak. The Gurudwara comprises Darbar Sahib, Diwan Hall and Langar Hall, while in the sukhaasan room, Guru Granth Sahib is placed.
