Ancient Indian temples stand as timeless marvels, displaying the country's rich cultural and architectural heritage. These sacred sites spread across the country, apart from being places of worship, are repositories of history, art and spirituality. Many of these temples are pilgrimage sites, drawing devotees from across the country. Recently, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah announced a Rs 100-crore plan to develop birth place of Lord Hanuman. In view of the announcement, let's take a look at some unique temples located around Bengaluru this monsoon season, handpicked by the CNBC-TV18 Travel Desk. (Image: Shutterstock)
1. Chennakesava Temple, Belur | Located in Hassan district, this 12th-century temple is famous for its intricate architecture and sculptures. This is a star-shaped temple, dedicated to Hindu God Vishnu. (Image: Chennakesava Temple/Facebook)
2. Kotilingeshwara Temple, Kolar | Known for its massive Shiva Linga, the temple is believed to have one of the largest Lingas in the world. The Kotilingeshwara Temple is in Kolar. (Image: Kotilingeshwara Temple/Facebook)
3. Hoysaleswara Temple, Halebidu | This 12th-century temple is also located in the Hassan district and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Renowned for its Hoysala architecture, this is the largest temple in Halebidu. (Hoysaleswara Temple/Facebook)
4. Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, Srirangapatna | Located near Mysore, this temple is one of the largest in Karnataka and is dedicated to Lord Ranganatha, a form of Lord Vishnu. It holds a special place as one of the 108 Abhimana Kshethrams in the Vaishnavite tradition. (Image: Wikimedia Commons)
5. Lepakshi Temple, Anantapur | Though a bit further away, Lepakshi Temple in Andhra Pradesh is worth the visit for its stunning Vijayanagara architecture and the famous hanging pillar. This temple, built in the 16th century, has carvings and paintings adorning nearly every visible surface, making it visually stunning for visitors. (Image: Shutterstock)
6. Bhoga Nandeeshwara Temple, Nandi Hills | In the foothills of Nandi Hills, this temple complex is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is known for its Dravidian architecture. Though the exact origins are not known, the architecture is believed to date back to the 9th-10th century CE. (Image: Shutterstock)
7. Sri Chamundeshwari Temple, Mysore | This temple is perched on top of the Chamundi Hills and worships the Goddess Chamundeshwari, a form of Goddess Durga. (Image: Shutterstock)
8. Talakadu Panchalinga Temples, Talakadu | Talakadu is home to several ancient temples, including the Panchalinga Temples, dedicated to Lord Shiva. The Pancha Linga Darshan is a major event usually held once every twelve, seven, five or three years during which devotees visit five temples to seek blessings. (Image: Shutterstock)