There are many Vishnu temples all over India though some temples hold a little superiority over the others. Surrounded with folklores and history that dates back to AD’s that will leave you spell bound and awed by the beauty and tranquility, these famous Vishnu temples in India are a must visit for one and all. Here’s a list of 9 must visit Vishnu temples in India.
Most Worshipped Famous Vishnu Temples in India:
- Badrinath Temple in Badrinath.
- Jagannath Temple in Puri.
- Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple at Tirupati.
- Varadharaja Perumal Temple in Kanchipuram.
- Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Thiruvanthapuram.
- Koodal Azhagar Temple in Madurai.
- Sri Ulagalanda Perumal Temple in Kanchipuram.
- Asvakranta Temple in Guwahati.
- Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple in Srirangam.
1. Badrinath Temple in Badrinath, Uttarakhand:
One of the four Char Dhams, Badrinath temple is located in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand. Lord Badrinath is worshipped in the temple who is an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Badrinath temple is one of the most visited pilgrimage centres in India. It is situated along the beautiful banks of river Alakananda. The temple houses a black stone statue of Vishnu which is 3.3 ft. tall and falls under one of the eight swayamvyaktakshetras (self-arising).
- Address: Badri to Mata murti road, Badrinath, Uttarakhand – 246422
- Timings: From Sunrise to Sunset
- Dress Code: Decent Attire
- Approx. Visit Duration: 15 – 18 hours
- How to Reach: Devotees can choose to walk or travel by horse or a man carrying them on their backs (Pitthu) from the starting point.
- Temple Website: http://badarikedar.org/
- Best Time to Visit: Between May to June and September to October
- Other Attractions: Tapt Kund, Vasudhara Falls
2. Jagannath Temple in Puri, Odisha:
Sri Jagannath temple is also one of the four Char Dham pilgrimage spots of the country and a famous Vishnu temple in India, it is located in the coastal town of Puri. It’s a well-known famous Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Jagannath means lord of the world, thus the place is often addressed as Jagannath Puri. The temples construction started in the early 11th century but it wasn’t until the end of 11th century that the temple was completely formed. The deity of the lord is made out of wood and changed every twelve or nineteen years. The presiding deities of the temple are Lord Jagannath, a reincarnation of Lord Vishnu along with his brother Lord Balabhadra, sister Goddess Subhadra and Lord Sudarsana.
- Address: Sri Nahar, Puri, Odisha 752001
- Timings: 05 am to 1 pm and 1:30 pm to 9 pm
- Dress Code: Traditional wear
- Approx. Visit Duration: 3- 5 hours
- How to Reach: local mode of transport
- Temple Website: http://www.jagannath.nic.in/
- Best Time to Visit: Chandan Yatra, Ratha Yatra
- Other Attractions: Puri beach
3. Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple at Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh:
Sri Venkateswara Swamy temple is considered to be one of the richest temples in the world along with being the most visited place of worship in terms of donations and wealth received. It is located in the hill town of Tirumala at Tirupati. The temple worships the idol of Lord Venkateswara, are incarnation of Lord Vishnu. The temple is constructed in Dravidian architecture and is known as ‘the temple of seven hills.’ Legend says that the lord had taken a loan for his wedding from Lord Kubera, the donations made by people is part of the loan repayment.
- Address: S Mada St, Tirumala, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh 517504
- Timings: 4 am Onwards
- Dress Code: Traditional Wear
- Approx. Visit Duration: 1 day
- How to Reach: local modes of transport
- Temple Website: http://www.tirumala.org/
- Best Time to Visit: Brahmotsavam
- Other Attractions: Srisailam
4. Varadharaja Perumal Temple in Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu:
The temple of Varadharaja Perumal temple is located in the holy town Kanchipuraman, dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The Dravidian styled magnificent structure is also a display of brilliant architecture. According to several different folklores, Lord Vishnu relieved a curse here and decided to stay back.It is also one of the 108 Divyadesam dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Every day, the temple follows and performs six rituals along with celebrating yearly festivals.
- Address: Nethaji Nagar, Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu 631501
- Timings: 6 am to 11 am and 4 pm to 8 pm
- Dress Code: traditional wear
- Approx. Visit Duration: 2-3 hours
- How to Reach: local modes of transport
- Temple Website: N/A
- Best Time to Visit: Rath Yatra
- Other Attractions: Town of Kanchipuram
5. Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Thiruvanthapuram, Kerala:
Padmanabhaswamy temple is a Dravidian styled architectural marvel located in Thiruvanthapuram. It is also the richest Hindu temple in the world. The presiding deity of the temple is Lord Vishnu who is enshrined in the position of ‘Anantha Sayanam’ or the eternal yogic sleep of the serpent Adisheshan. The temple has a strict dress code and is open to only Hindu devotees. The riches of this lord Vishnu temple in South India were only discovered in the recent years, a door is still kept locked, as folklore belive that Lord himself resides behind the door and opening it can cause immeasurable amount of destruction.
- Address: West Nada, Fort, East Fort, Pazhavangadi, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala 695023
- Timings: 03.30 am to 04.45 am, 06.30 am to 07.00 am, 08.30 am to 10.00 am, 10.30 am to 11.10 am, 11.45 am to 12.00 pm, 05.00 pm to 06.15 pm, 06.45 pm to 07.20 pm
- Dress Code: Strict dress code of traditional Indian wear.
- Approx. Visit Duration: 2-3 hours
- How to Reach: local modes of transport
- Temple Website: http://www.sreepadmanabhaswamytemple.org/index.htm
- Best Time to Visit: Alpasi Utsavam
6. Koodal Azhagar Temple in Madurai, Tamil Nadu:
The Koodal Azhagar Kovil temple which is dedicated to Lord Vishnu is situated in the centre of the temple city, Madurai.Koodal and Azhagar are Tamil words which respectively mean the city of Madurai and ‘the beautiful one’, respectively. This temple falls under the 108 Divyadesams. Koodal Azhagar has three postures which are the sitting posture, the standing posture as Sri Surya Narayan and the reclining posture. The presiding deity of the temple is taken for a dip in River Vaigai on the festival of Chitra Purnima. Also, a 10-day boat festival is celebrated on Masi Magam day.
- Address: Near Periyar Bus Stand, Madurai, Tamil Nadu 625001
- Timings: 5:30 am to 12 pm and 4 pm to 9 pm
- Dress Code: Decent Attire
- Approx. Visit Duration: 2 – 3 hours
- How to Reach: Local modes of transport
- Temple Website: http://koodalalagartemple.tnhrce.in/
- Best Time to Visit: Chitra Purnima, Masi Magam day
- Other Attractions: Gandhi Memorial museum, Meenakshi temple
7. Sri Ulagalanda Perumal Temple in Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu:
Sri Varadharaja Perumal is one of the significant vishnu temple in South India. It is located in Kanchipuram and dedicated to Lord Vishnu and is also one of the 108 Divya Desams of Vishnu. This temple in considered to be one of the most sacred by Vaishnavites(ardent followers of lord Vihnu)and was originally built by the Cholas in 1053. The temple has a shrine of Varadharaja or Vishnu perched on a small hillock. The major festivals celebrated here is Bhramotsavam when pilgrims flock the temple in great numbers.
- Address: Kamakshi Amman Sannidhi Street, Periya, Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu 631502
- Timings: 7 am to 12 pm and 4 pm to 8 pm
- Dress Code: Traditional Wear/Decent Attire
- Approx. Visit Duration: 1-2 hours
- How to Reach: Local Modes of Transport
- Temple Website: N/A
- Best Time to Visit: Bramhotsavam, Their
- Other Attractions: Kanchi Kamakshi temple, Vaikunda Perumal temple
8. Asvakranta Temple in Guwahati, Assam:
Asvakranta temple located in Guwahati, Assam. The temple is considered to be sacred by ‘yogic tantra’ and is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The presiding deity of the temple is Anantashayana Vishnu which is reclining position of Lord Vishnu on the body of a serpent. The temple also houses an idol of Lord Brahma sitting on a lotus emerging from the navel of Lord Vishnu. There are other beautiful idols too within the temple complex.
- Address: North Guwahati, Guwahati, Assam 781030, India
- Timings: Morning after sunrise until noon and evening before 9 pm
- Dress Code: No dress code
- Approx. Visit Duration: 1-2 hours
- How to Reach: local mode of transport
- Temple Website: NA
- Best Time to Visit: between the months of November to May
- Other Attractions: Foot prints of Lord Krishna, Kurmajanardana
9. Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple in Srirangam, Tamil Nadu:
Sri Ranganathaswamy temple is situated in Srirangam and is one of the largest functioning temples in India. The temple structure is enclosed by prakarams which are seven concentric walls and there are 21 enclosed gopurams. This Vishnu temple in South India temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and has 49 shrines, all dedicated to him. Parts of the seven concentric walls, three are used for private commercial establishments like hotels, restaurants, residential area and more.
- Address: Srirangam, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu 620006
- Timings: 6 am to 7:15 am, 9 am to 12 pm, 1:15 pm to 6 pm and 6:45 pm to 9 pm
- Dress Code: Traditional Wear
- Approx. Visit Duration: 3-4 hours
- How to Reach: local mode of transport
- Temple Website: https://srirangam.org/
- Best Time to Visit: Aani, Prvithrotsavam
- Other Attractions: Rock fort temple, Jambukeswarar temple
Lord Vishnu resides in all beings and all things, the god of up keeping, he is known to restore things and put them back in peace and accord. Experience peace and well-being, at these lord Vishnu temples in India that are full of history and stories that will peak your faith and interest in the lord, the world and beauty of life.
Frequently Asked Questions and Answers:
1. Can I Visit The Badrinath Temple in The Month of March?
The doors to the Badrinath temple are open between the month of April until November, rest of the time the gates of the temple remain closed as its unsafe to be there during the winter season as the weather conditions are extremely unfavourable.
2. Is Padmanabhaswamy Temple The Richest Lord Vishnu Temple in South India?
The Padmanabhaswamy temple of Lord Vishnu in Kerala is not just the richest temple in South India but it is the richest temple in the worth with treasures found worth lakh crores of rupees.
3. Are There any Famous Lord Vishnu Temples in North Eastern Part of India?
Temples are spread across India, a famous Lord Vishnu temple in the North Eastern part of India is the Asvakranta temple situated in Guwahati, Assam. The temple is famous for its ancient Indian architecture as well as the distinct statues of the deities.
