India · Theme guide
Temples & Sacred Sites in India
Most of these are working places of worship first and sights second. Expect to remove your shoes, cover your head at gurdwaras and many temples, and find some inner sanctums closed to non-devotees. Each guide lists the dress code and photography rules for that site.
Quick answer
The best temples and sacred sites in India are the Golden Temple, the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, the Vittala Temple, the Virupaksha Temple and Dashashwamedh Ghat. Tamil Nadu has the most (16 of 122). Visit between October and March, and dress to cover shoulders and knees.
Updated · Compiled by Traveliac, AI-assisted · Ranked on our published criteria
1Golden Temple · Amritsar
2Kashi Vishwanath Temple · Varanasi
3Vittala Temple
4Virupaksha Temple
5Dashashwamedh Ghat122
temples and sacred sites
21
states & territories
13
UNESCO sites
102
free to enter
Oct–Mar
best months
Top 10 temples and sacred sites in India
Ranked by our editors on the same criteria as every Traveliac guide: what you see for your time and money, how well it’s kept, and how easy it is to visit.
- 1Golden Temple (Sri Harmandir Sahib)Gurdwara · Amritsar, PunjabSikhism’s holiest gurdwara, with a free community kitchenFree3 hrs
- 2Kashi Vishwanath TempleTemple · Varanasi, Uttar PradeshVaranasi’s great Shiva temple and its riverside corridorFree1 hr
- 3Vittala TempleTemple · Hampi, Karnataka · UNESCOVijayanagara temple with the stone chariot₹40 Indian2 hrs
- 4Virupaksha TempleTemple · Hampi, Karnataka · UNESCOHampi’s working temple, still in daily worshipFree1 hr
- 5Dashashwamedh GhatTemple · Varanasi, Uttar PradeshThe main ghat for the evening Ganga aartiFree1.5 hrs
- 6
Akshardham TempleTemple · New Delhi, DelhiCarved-stone temple complex beside the YamunaFree3.5 hrs - 7
Hemis MonasteryMonastery · Leh, LadakhOne of Ladakh’s largest monasteries, home of the Hemis festival₹50 Indian2 hrs - 8
Lotus TempleTemple · New Delhi, DelhiBahá’í house of worship shaped like a lotusFree1 hr - 9
Haji Ali DargahDargah · Mumbai, MaharashtraMosque and shrine reached by a causeway over the seaFree1 hr - 10
Parmarth Niketan Ashram & Ganga AartiTemple · Rishikesh, UttarakhandRiverside ashram known for its evening Ganga aartiFree1.5 hrs
All 122 temples and sacred sites by state
Showing all 122 temples and sacred sites.
Tamil Nadu16 places
Tamil NaduFree entryKapaleeshwarar Temple
Temple · Chennai
Free1 hr
Tamil NaduMeenakshi Amman Temple
Temple · Madurai
Free2 hrs
Tamil NaduUNESCOShore Temple
Temple · Mahabalipuram
₹40 Indian1 hr
Tamil NaduFree entryUNESCOKrishna Mandapam
Temple · Mahabalipuram
Free20 min
Tamil NaduFree entrySan Thome Basilica
Church · Chennai
Free1 hr
Tamil NaduFree entryVandiyur Mariamman Teppakulam
Temple · Madurai
Free45 min
Tamil NaduFree entryUNESCOGanesha Ratha
Temple · Mahabalipuram
Free20 min
Tamil NaduFree entryThiruparankundram Murugan Temple
Temple · Madurai
Free1.5 hrs
Tamil NaduFree entryAlagar Kovil
Temple · Madurai
Free1.5 hrs
Tamil NaduFree entryParthasarathy Temple
Temple · Chennai
Free1 hr
Tamil NaduFree entryKoodal Azhagar Temple
Temple · Madurai
Free1 hr
Tamil NaduFree entryUNESCOVaraha Cave Temple
Temple · Mahabalipuram
Free30 min
Tamil NaduFree entryUNESCOMahishasuramardini Cave Temple
Temple · Mahabalipuram
Free20 min
Tamil NaduFree entryPazhamudircholai
Waterfall · Madurai
Free1.5 hrs
Tamil NaduVivekananda House
Memorial · Chennai
₹10 Indian45 min
Tamil NaduFree entryUNESCOTiger Cave
Temple · Mahabalipuram
Free45 min
Uttarakhand13 places
- UttarakhandFree entry
Parmarth Niketan Ashram & Ganga Aarti
Temple · Rishikesh
Free1.5 hrs
UttarakhandFree entryHar Ki Pauri
Temple · Haridwar
Free1.5 hrs
UttarakhandFree entryRam Jhula
Temple · Rishikesh
Free20 min
UttarakhandFree entryMaya Devi Temple
Temple · Haridwar
Free45 min
UttarakhandFree entryNaina Devi Temple
Temple · Nainital
Free45 min
UttarakhandFree entryBhimgoda Tank
Temple · Haridwar
Free30 min
UttarakhandFree entryMansa Devi Temple
Temple · Haridwar
Free1.5 hrs
UttarakhandFree entrySt. John in the Wilderness Church
Church · Nainital
Free40 min
UttarakhandFree entryChandi Devi Temple
Temple · Haridwar
Free1.5 hrs
UttarakhandFree entryBharat Mata Mandir
Temple · Haridwar
Free1.5 hrs
UttarakhandFree entryNeelkanth Mahadev Temple
Temple · Rishikesh
Free1.5 hrs
UttarakhandFree entryDaksha Mahadev Temple
Temple · Haridwar
Free45 min
UttarakhandFree entryHanuman Garhi
Temple · Nainital
Free45 min
Madhya Pradesh13 places
Madhya PradeshKandariya Mahadeva Temple
Temple · Khajuraho
₹40 Indian1.5 hrs
Madhya PradeshLakshmana Temple
Temple · Khajuraho
₹40 Indian1 hr
Madhya PradeshTeli ka Mandir
Temple · Gwalior
₹75 Indian30 min
Madhya PradeshVishvanatha Temple
Temple · Khajuraho
₹40 Indian45 min
Madhya PradeshDevi Jagadambi Temple
Temple · Khajuraho
₹40 Indian45 min
Madhya PradeshSaas-Bahu Temples
Temple · Gwalior
₹75 Indian45 min
Madhya PradeshChitragupta Temple
Temple · Khajuraho
₹40 Indian40 min
Madhya PradeshFree entryGurudwara Data Bandi Chhod Sahib
Gurdwara · Gwalior
Free1 hr
Madhya PradeshFree entryParsvanatha Temple
Jain temple · Khajuraho
Free45 min
Madhya PradeshFree entryChausath Yogini Temple
Temple · Khajuraho
Free30 min
Madhya PradeshFree entryDuladeo Temple
Temple · Khajuraho
Free45 min
Madhya PradeshFree entrySun Temple, Gwalior
Temple · Gwalior
Free45 min
Madhya PradeshFree entryJavari Temple
Temple · Khajuraho
Free30 min
Uttar Pradesh10 places
- Uttar PradeshFree entry
Kashi Vishwanath Temple
Temple · Varanasi
Free1 hr
- Uttar PradeshFree entry
Dashashwamedh Ghat
Temple · Varanasi
Free1.5 hrs
Uttar PradeshFree entryJama Masjid, Agra
Mosque · Agra
Free45 min
Uttar PradeshFree entryManikarnika Ghat
Temple · Varanasi
Free30 min
Uttar PradeshFree entryDurga Temple
Temple · Varanasi
Free30 min
Uttar PradeshFree entryMankameshwar Temple
Temple · Agra
Free45 min
Uttar PradeshFree entrySankat Mochan Hanuman Temple
Temple · Varanasi
Free45 min
Uttar PradeshFree entryTulsi Manas Temple
Temple · Varanasi
Free45 min
Uttar PradeshFree entryAssi Ghat
Temple · Varanasi
Free1.5 hrs
Uttar PradeshUNESCOFatehpur Sikri
Temple · Agra
₹40 Indian2.5 hrs
Rajasthan10 places
RajasthanUNESCOAmber Fort & Palace
Fort · Jaipur
₹100 Indian3 hrs
RajasthanFree entryPushkar Lake
Lake · Pushkar
Free1.5 hrs
RajasthanFree entryBrahma Temple
Temple · Pushkar
Free45 min
RajasthanFree entrySavitri Temple
Temple · Pushkar
Free2 hrs
RajasthanFree entryJagdish Temple
Temple · Udaipur
Free30 min
RajasthanFree entryRangji Temple
Temple · Pushkar
Free45 min
RajasthanFree entryVaraha Temple
Temple · Pushkar
Free30 min
RajasthanFree entryChamunda Mata Temple
Temple · Jodhpur
Free45 min
RajasthanFree entryGalta Ji (Monkey Temple & Sun Temple)
Temple · Jaipur
Free2 hrs
RajasthanFree entryBirla Mandir (Laxmi Narayan Temple)
Temple · Jaipur
Free45 min
Himachal Pradesh9 places
Himachal PradeshFree entryHadimba Devi Temple
Temple · Manali
Free45 min
Himachal PradeshFree entryMcLeod Ganj
Buddhist site · Dharamshala
Free4 hrs
Himachal PradeshFree entryTsuglagkhang Complex
Museum · Dharamshala
Free1.5 hrs
Himachal PradeshFree entryChrist Church
Church · Shimla
Free30 min
Himachal PradeshFree entryNamgyal Monastery
Monastery · Dharamshala
Free1 hr
![Jakhoo Temple is an ancient temple in Shimla, dedicated to Hindu deity, Hanuman.[1] It is situated on Jakhoo Hill, 2.5 km /1.3 miles east from the Ridge, Shimla](/wm/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b8/Jakhoo_temple%2Cshimla.jpg/1280px-Jakhoo_temple%2Cshimla.jpg)
Himachal PradeshFree entryJakhoo Temple
Temple · Shimla
Free1.5 hrs
Himachal PradeshFree entryManikaran Sahib
Gurdwara · Manali
Free2.5 hrs
Himachal PradeshFree entrySt. John in the Wilderness Church
Church · Dharamshala
Free45 min
Himachal PradeshNorbulingka Institute
Museum · Dharamshala
₹50 Indian2 hrs
Karnataka7 places
- KarnatakaUNESCO
Vittala Temple
Temple · Hampi
₹40 Indian2 hrs
- KarnatakaFree entryUNESCO
Virupaksha Temple
Temple · Hampi
Free1 hr
KarnatakaFree entryBull Temple
Temple · Bengaluru
Free45 min
KarnatakaFree entryHemakuta Hill
Viewpoint · Hampi
Free1 hr
KarnatakaFree entryISKCON Bangalore
Temple · Bengaluru
Free1.5 hrs
KarnatakaFree entryChamundi Hills & Chamundeshwari Temple
Temple · Mysuru
Free2 hrs
KarnatakaFree entryUNESCOAchyutaraya Temple
Temple · Hampi
Free45 min
West Bengal7 places
West BengalSt. Paul's Cathedral
Church · Kolkata
₹10 Indian45 min
West BengalGhoom Monastery
Monastery · Darjeeling
₹20 Indian45 min
West BengalFree entryJapanese Peace Pagoda
Memorial · Darjeeling
Free45 min
West BengalFree entryKalighat Kali Temple
Temple · Kolkata
Free1 hr
West BengalFree entryObservatory Hill
Viewpoint · Darjeeling
Free45 min
West BengalFree entryDakshineswar Kali Temple
Temple · Kolkata
Free1.5 hrs
West BengalFree entryBelur Math
Buddhist site · Kolkata
Free2 hrs
Ladakh5 places
Bihar5 places
BiharFree entryMahabodhi Temple Complex
Buddhist site · Bodh Gaya
Free1.5 hrs
BiharFree entryMuchalinda Lake
Lake · Bodh Gaya
Free15 min
BiharFree entryWat Thai Buddhagaya
Buddhist site · Bodh Gaya
Free30 min
BiharFree entryIndosan Nipponji Japanese Temple
Buddhist site · Bodh Gaya
Free30 min
BiharFree entrySujata Stupa
Stupa · Bodh Gaya
Free40 min
Maharashtra4 places
Sikkim4 places
Kerala4 places
Other statesPunjab, Delhi, Odisha, Goa, Telangana, Gujarat, Jammu & Kashmir, Puducherry · 15 places
- PunjabFree entry
Golden Temple (Sri Harmandir Sahib)
Gurdwara · Amritsar
Free3 hrs
- DelhiFree entry
Akshardham Temple
Temple · New Delhi
Free3.5 hrs
- DelhiFree entry
Lotus Temple
Temple · New Delhi
Free1 hr
OdishaFree entryJagannath Temple, Puri
Temple · Puri
Free1.5 hrs
GoaFree entrySe Cathedral
Church · Panaji
Free45 min
TelanganaFree entryMecca Masjid
Mosque · Hyderabad
Free30 min
DelhiFree entryJama Masjid
Mosque · New Delhi
Free1 hr
GujaratFree entryUNESCOSidi Saiyyed Mosque
Mosque · Ahmedabad
Free30 min
GujaratFree entryUNESCOJama Masjid, Ahmedabad
Mosque · Ahmedabad
Free45 min
Jammu & KashmirFree entryJamia Masjid Srinagar
Mosque · Srinagar
Free1 hr
PuducherryFree entryBasilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
Church · Puducherry (Pondicherry)
Free45 min
OdishaFree entryGundicha Temple
Temple · Puri
Free45 min
GujaratFree entryHutheesing Jain Temple
Jain temple · Ahmedabad
Free45 min
OdishaFree entryAlarnath Temple
Temple · Puri
Free45 min
PuducherryFree entryImmaculate Conception Cathedral
Church · Puducherry (Pondicherry)
Free40 min
Temples & Sacred Sites compared
| Place | State | Type | Indian fee | Time needed | UNESCO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Golden Temple (Sri Harmandir Sahib) | Punjab | Gurdwara | Free | 3 hrs | No |
| Kashi Vishwanath Temple | Uttar Pradesh | Temple | Free | 1 hr | No |
| Vittala Temple | Karnataka | Temple | ₹40 Indian | 2 hrs | Yes |
| Virupaksha Temple | Karnataka | Temple | Free | 1 hr | Yes |
| Dashashwamedh Ghat | Uttar Pradesh | Temple | Free | 1.5 hrs | No |
| Akshardham Temple | Delhi | Temple | Free | 3.5 hrs | No |
| Hemis Monastery | Ladakh | Monastery | ₹50 Indian | 2 hrs | No |
| Lotus Temple | Delhi | Temple | Free | 1 hr | No |
| Haji Ali Dargah | Maharashtra | Dargah | Free | 1 hr | No |
| Parmarth Niketan Ashram & Ganga Aarti | Uttarakhand | Temple | Free | 1.5 hrs | No |
| Amber Fort & Palace | Rajasthan | Fort | ₹100 Indian | 3 hrs | Yes |
| Hadimba Devi Temple | Himachal Pradesh | Temple | Free | 45 min | No |
| Har Ki Pauri | Uttarakhand | Temple | Free | 1.5 hrs | No |
| Jagannath Temple, Puri | Odisha | Temple | Free | 1.5 hrs | No |
| Kandariya Mahadeva Temple | Madhya Pradesh | Temple | ₹40 Indian | 1.5 hrs | No |
| Kapaleeshwarar Temple | Tamil Nadu | Temple | Free | 1 hr | No |
| Mahabodhi Temple Complex | Bihar | Buddhist site | Free | 1.5 hrs | No |
| McLeod Ganj | Himachal Pradesh | Buddhist site | Free | 4 hrs | No |
| Meenakshi Amman Temple | Tamil Nadu | Temple | Free | 2 hrs | No |
| Pushkar Lake | Rajasthan | Lake | Free | 1.5 hrs | No |
| Ram Jhula | Uttarakhand | Temple | Free | 20 min | No |
| Se Cathedral | Goa | Church | Free | 45 min | No |
| Shore Temple | Tamil Nadu | Temple | ₹40 Indian | 1 hr | Yes |
| Tsomgo Lake | Sikkim | Lake | Free | 1.5 hrs | No |
| Brahma Temple | Rajasthan | Temple | Free | 45 min | No |
| Lakshmana Temple | Madhya Pradesh | Temple | ₹40 Indian | 1 hr | No |
| Maya Devi Temple | Uttarakhand | Temple | Free | 45 min | No |
| Mecca Masjid | Telangana | Mosque | Free | 30 min | No |
| Muchalinda Lake | Bihar | Lake | Free | 15 min | No |
| Naina Devi Temple | Uttarakhand | Temple | Free | 45 min | No |
| Nubra Valley | Ladakh | Nature | Free | 24 hrs | No |
| Rumtek Monastery | Sikkim | Monastery | Free | 1.5 hrs | No |
| St. Francis Church | Kerala | Church | Free | 30 min | No |
| St. Paul's Cathedral | West Bengal | Church | ₹10 Indian | 45 min | No |
| Tsuglagkhang Complex | Himachal Pradesh | Museum | Free | 1.5 hrs | No |
| Bhimgoda Tank | Uttarakhand | Temple | Free | 30 min | No |
| Christ Church | Himachal Pradesh | Church | Free | 30 min | No |
| Ghoom Monastery | West Bengal | Monastery | ₹20 Indian | 45 min | No |
| Jama Masjid | Delhi | Mosque | Free | 1 hr | No |
| Jama Masjid, Agra | Uttar Pradesh | Mosque | Free | 45 min | No |
| Manikarnika Ghat | Uttar Pradesh | Temple | Free | 30 min | No |
| Namgyal Monastery | Himachal Pradesh | Monastery | Free | 1 hr | No |
| Panchakki | Maharashtra | Temple | ₹20 Indian | 1 hr | No |
| Santa Cruz Basilica | Kerala | Church | Free | 30 min | No |
| Savitri Temple | Rajasthan | Temple | Free | 2 hrs | No |
| Sidi Saiyyed Mosque | Gujarat | Mosque | Free | 30 min | Yes |
| Teli ka Mandir | Madhya Pradesh | Temple | ₹75 Indian | 30 min | No |
| Vishvanatha Temple | Madhya Pradesh | Temple | ₹40 Indian | 45 min | No |
| Wat Thai Buddhagaya | Bihar | Buddhist site | Free | 30 min | No |
| Devi Jagadambi Temple | Madhya Pradesh | Temple | ₹40 Indian | 45 min | No |
| Durga Temple | Uttar Pradesh | Temple | Free | 30 min | No |
| Indosan Nipponji Japanese Temple | Bihar | Buddhist site | Free | 30 min | No |
| Jagdish Temple | Rajasthan | Temple | Free | 30 min | No |
| Jama Masjid, Ahmedabad | Gujarat | Mosque | Free | 45 min | Yes |
| Jamia Masjid Srinagar | Jammu & Kashmir | Mosque | Free | 1 hr | No |
| Krishna Mandapam | Tamil Nadu | Temple | Free | 20 min | Yes |
| Mankameshwar Temple | Uttar Pradesh | Temple | Free | 45 min | No |
| Mansa Devi Temple | Uttarakhand | Temple | Free | 1.5 hrs | No |
| Saas-Bahu Temples | Madhya Pradesh | Temple | ₹75 Indian | 45 min | No |
| San Thome Basilica | Tamil Nadu | Church | Free | 1 hr | No |
| St. John in the Wilderness Church | Uttarakhand | Church | Free | 40 min | No |
| Vandiyur Mariamman Teppakulam | Tamil Nadu | Temple | Free | 45 min | No |
| Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus | Puducherry | Church | Free | 45 min | No |
| Bull Temple | Karnataka | Temple | Free | 45 min | No |
| Chandi Devi Temple | Uttarakhand | Temple | Free | 1.5 hrs | No |
| Chitragupta Temple | Madhya Pradesh | Temple | ₹40 Indian | 40 min | No |
| Enchey Monastery | Sikkim | Monastery | Free | 45 min | No |
| Ganesha Ratha | Tamil Nadu | Temple | Free | 20 min | Yes |
| Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga Temple | Maharashtra | Temple | Free | 45 min | No |
| Gundicha Temple | Odisha | Temple | Free | 45 min | No |
| Gurudwara Data Bandi Chhod Sahib | Madhya Pradesh | Gurdwara | Free | 1 hr | No |
| Jakhoo Temple | Himachal Pradesh | Temple | Free | 1.5 hrs | No |
| Manikaran Sahib | Himachal Pradesh | Gurdwara | Free | 2.5 hrs | No |
| Rangji Temple | Rajasthan | Temple | Free | 45 min | No |
| Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple | Uttar Pradesh | Temple | Free | 45 min | No |
| Shanti Stupa | Ladakh | Stupa | Free | 45 min | No |
| St. John in the Wilderness Church | Himachal Pradesh | Church | Free | 45 min | No |
| Sujata Stupa | Bihar | Stupa | Free | 40 min | No |
| Thiruparankundram Murugan Temple | Tamil Nadu | Temple | Free | 1.5 hrs | No |
| Alagar Kovil | Tamil Nadu | Temple | Free | 1.5 hrs | No |
| Bharat Mata Mandir | Uttarakhand | Temple | Free | 1.5 hrs | No |
| Ganesh Tok & Hanuman Tok | Sikkim | Temple | Free | 1 hr | No |
| Hemakuta Hill | Karnataka | Viewpoint | Free | 1 hr | No |
| Hutheesing Jain Temple | Gujarat | Jain temple | Free | 45 min | No |
| ISKCON Bangalore | Karnataka | Temple | Free | 1.5 hrs | No |
| Neelkanth Mahadev Temple | Uttarakhand | Temple | Free | 1.5 hrs | No |
| Norbulingka Institute | Himachal Pradesh | Museum | ₹50 Indian | 2 hrs | No |
| Parsvanatha Temple | Madhya Pradesh | Jain temple | Free | 45 min | No |
| Parthasarathy Temple | Tamil Nadu | Temple | Free | 1 hr | No |
| St. Andrew's Basilica, Arthunkal | Kerala | Church | Free | 45 min | No |
| Tulsi Manas Temple | Uttar Pradesh | Temple | Free | 45 min | No |
| Varaha Temple | Rajasthan | Temple | Free | 30 min | No |
| Alarnath Temple | Odisha | Temple | Free | 45 min | No |
| Assi Ghat | Uttar Pradesh | Temple | Free | 1.5 hrs | No |
| Chamundi Hills & Chamundeshwari Temple | Karnataka | Temple | Free | 2 hrs | No |
| Chausath Yogini Temple | Madhya Pradesh | Temple | Free | 30 min | No |
| Daksha Mahadev Temple | Uttarakhand | Temple | Free | 45 min | No |
| Immaculate Conception Cathedral | Puducherry | Church | Free | 40 min | No |
| Japanese Peace Pagoda | West Bengal | Memorial | Free | 45 min | No |
| Kalighat Kali Temple | West Bengal | Temple | Free | 1 hr | No |
| Koodal Azhagar Temple | Tamil Nadu | Temple | Free | 1 hr | No |
| Shey Palace & Monastery | Ladakh | Monastery | ₹30 Indian | 1 hr | No |
| Shree Siddhivinayak Ganapati Mandir | Maharashtra | Temple | Free | 45 min | No |
| Varaha Cave Temple | Tamil Nadu | Temple | Free | 30 min | Yes |
| Achyutaraya Temple | Karnataka | Temple | Free | 45 min | Yes |
| Alchi Monastery | Ladakh | Monastery | ₹50 Indian | 1.5 hrs | No |
| Chamunda Mata Temple | Rajasthan | Temple | Free | 45 min | No |
| Chottanikkara Devi Temple | Kerala | Temple | Free | 1 hr | No |
| Duladeo Temple | Madhya Pradesh | Temple | Free | 45 min | No |
| Mahishasuramardini Cave Temple | Tamil Nadu | Temple | Free | 20 min | Yes |
| Observatory Hill | West Bengal | Viewpoint | Free | 45 min | No |
| Sun Temple, Gwalior | Madhya Pradesh | Temple | Free | 45 min | No |
| Dakshineswar Kali Temple | West Bengal | Temple | Free | 1.5 hrs | No |
| Fatehpur Sikri | Uttar Pradesh | Temple | ₹40 Indian | 2.5 hrs | Yes |
| Hanuman Garhi | Uttarakhand | Temple | Free | 45 min | No |
| Javari Temple | Madhya Pradesh | Temple | Free | 30 min | No |
| Pazhamudircholai | Tamil Nadu | Waterfall | Free | 1.5 hrs | No |
| Vivekananda House | Tamil Nadu | Memorial | ₹10 Indian | 45 min | No |
| Belur Math | West Bengal | Buddhist site | Free | 2 hrs | No |
| Galta Ji (Monkey Temple & Sun Temple) | Rajasthan | Temple | Free | 2 hrs | No |
| Tiger Cave | Tamil Nadu | Temple | Free | 45 min | Yes |
| Birla Mandir (Laxmi Narayan Temple) | Rajasthan | Temple | Free | 45 min | No |
Fees are the Indian-visitor ticket; foreign-visitor and camera fees are on each place’s guide.
Temples, gurdwaras, monasteries and more: what to expect
Hindu temples
Living places of worship
Shoes off at the gate; inner sanctums can be crowded, and some keep them closed to cameras.
Kashi Vishwanath Temple · Virupaksha Temple · Jagdish Temple
Sikh gurdwaras
Open to everyone
Cover your head (scarves are provided), wash your feet at the entrance, and eat at the free langar.
Buddhist monasteries
Prayer halls and murals
Walk clockwise around stupas and prayer wheels; monks’ assembly halls may be closed during prayers.
Mosques, churches & dargahs
Quiet at prayer times
Visitors are usually asked to wait outside the five daily prayers; dress modestly.
Map of temples & sacred sites in India
Numbers match the ranking; the top 10 are orange. Tap a pin for its guide. 21 places have no map position yet.
Tips for visiting temples and sacred sites in India
Cover shoulders and knees
Carry a scarf: you’ll need to cover your head at gurdwaras and at some temples and mosques.
Shoes off, socks optional
Most sites have a free or low-cost shoe deposit. Stone floors get hot by midday.
Time it for prayers
Morning and evening aarti are the most atmospheric times at Hindu temples and ghats — and the busiest.
Ask before photographing
Many sanctums ban cameras, and some temples ban phones altogether. Each guide lists the rule.
Temples & Sacred Sites FAQs
Which temples and sacred sites in India are free to visit?
On our list, Golden Temple in Amritsar, Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi, Virupaksha Temple in Hampi, Dashashwamedh Ghat in Varanasi, Akshardham Temple in New Delhi, Lotus Temple in New Delhi, Haji Ali Dargah in Mumbai and Parmarth Niketan Ashram in Rishikesh have no entry fee, along with 94 more.
Do I need to cover my head at the Golden Temple?
Yes. Everyone covers their head inside the Golden Temple complex, whatever their faith. Scarves are provided free at the entrance, and shoes are left at the free shoe deposit.
Which temples and sacred sites in India are UNESCO World Heritage Sites?
The Vittala Temple, the Virupaksha Temple, Amber Fort, Shore Temple, Sidi Saiyyed Mosque, Jama Masjid, Krishna Mandapam, Ganesha Ratha, Varaha Cave Temple, Achyutaraya Temple, Mahishasuramardini Cave Temple, Fatehpur Sikri and Tiger Cave are part of UNESCO World Heritage properties.
Do foreign visitors pay more at Indian temples and sacred sites?
Often, yes. The Vittala Temple, for example, costs ₹40 for Indian visitors and ₹600 for foreign visitors. 16 of the 122 places on this list charge foreigners more; each guide lists both prices.
What is the best time of year to visit temples and sacred sites in India?
October to March suits most of them. Each guide gives the best months for that place.
Which day are temples and sacred sites closed?
3 of the 122 places here close on Mondays. Check the closed day on each guide before you go.
How much time do you need at Golden Temple?
Allow about 3 hours. Arrive at opening time for the smallest crowds.
Compiled with AI assistance from official sources and public records; see How we write these guides. Last updated . How we rank and check places · All themes