India has earned the moniker of the land of temples and shrines. Whether you are a Hindu, Jain, Muslim, Buddhist or Sikh, there’s something for you. The cultural diversity is profound in Delhi that making “Dil Walon ki Nagri” a blooming city. It is home to some of the most beautiful, unique, and historical temples in India. But which is the most famous Delhi temple? Well, the competition is tough with so many of them around.
So, here are some of the most visited temples in Delhi offering spirituality, relaxation, and peace away from the chaotic environment that Delhi is famous for.
1. Lotus Temple
The Lotus Temple is hands-down the best temple in Delhi on multiple parameters. It’s a unique temple built in the shape of the national flower of India, Lotus, and hence, the name. The lotus implies integration and liberty from bondage to follow any specific religion. That’s the reason the temple has no idols depicting any God.
The architecture of the temple is unique and simply breathtaking. The structure mimics a white lotus and has numerous entries and nine water ponds within the premises. So, it’s the only temple where anyone can go and spend some time visualizing god and introspecting yourself. Just reach this temple and meditate to know your worth!
- Location – Lotus Temple Rd, Bahapur, Shambhu Dayal Bagh, Kalkaji Near Kalkaji Temple, East of Nehru Place, New Delhi, India.
- Timings – 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM.
- Entry fees – Free entry.
- Nearby attractions – Transforming Travels (0.4 km), Delhi Haat (0.37 km), ISKCON Temple, Delhi (0.9 km), Incredible Real India Tours & Travels (1.2 km).
- Nearby hotels – OYO 8352 Gera’s Heritage Nearby (0.45 km), Eros Hotel (1.29 km), 14 Square Delhi Nehru Enclave (0.5 km).
- Nearby Restaurants – Purani Dili (0.3 km), The Chatter House (1 km).
2. Akshardham Temple
Swaminarayan Akshardham Temple is one of the most sought-after Hindu temples in India, let alone Delhi. The temple with a spiritual campus has been around since 2005, attracting devotees from across India. Every tourist who visits Delhi should witness the incredible architecture of this temple located on the Banks of the Yamuna River.
Vibrant, devotional, and timeless spiritual messages and ancient architecture are echoed in the design of the temple. This place isn’t about devotion only but also offers a water show, a theme garden hall of values, and more. They even play an IMAX film on Swaminarayan’s life, struggles and inspirations to beef up your knowledge.
- Location – Nh 24 Akshardham Setu, New Delhi, India.
- Timings – 9:30 AM – 8:00 PM (Monday closed).
- Nearby attractions – Tourist Drivers India (0.6 km), Taj Mahal Day Tour (1.2 km), Presidential Wheels (1.8 km).
- Nearby hotels – The Oberoi, New Delhi (4.07 km), Eleven (3.8 km), Crowne Plaza New Delhi Mayur Vihar Noida, an IHG hotel (3.3 km).
- Nearby restaurants – Cafe Coffee Day (0.63 km), World Of Idli’s (0.8 km), Infinity (3 km).
3. ISKCON Temple
Devoted to Lord Krishna, ISKCON temples dot the entire nation. You’ll find them in every nook and cranny of India. However, none is as famous as ISKCON Delhi. This temple has divine vibes that will calm you from inside and put you on the path of spirituality. You will find monks dancing in sheer ecstasy on the tunes of Hare Krishna Hare Rama.
There’s a hall carrying sacred books, such as The Bhagwat Gita and books on Lord Krishna. However, feel free to meditate here. The traditional Khichdi Prasad prepared for visitors and devotees is just delectable and filling. Don’t miss it at any cost.
- Location – Iskcon Temple Rd, Sant Nagar, East of Kailash, New Delhi, India.
- Timings – 9:00 AM to 1 PM; 4 PM to 9 AM.
- Nearby attractions – Incredible Real India Tours & Travels (0.36 km), Private Driver India (0.48 km)
- Nearby restaurants – Govindas Restaurant (0.5 km), Indian Cravings (0.20 km), The Chatter House (0.53 km), Oh! Calcutta (0.68 km)
4. Sri Kilkari Bhairav Temple
Also known as Bhairon Mandir, it is a famous temple in Delhi. Bhairav is believed to be the protector of the devotees from wicked spirits. This temple is more than just a tourist spot and its architecture is completely North Indian. Strange but true, alcohol is offered to Lord Bhairav.
If you want to offer the alcohol as a Prasad to the deity, buy it outside the premises. There’s no availability of an alcohol shop inside the temple.
- Location – Opposite Gate No Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, India.
- Timings – 5 AM to 12 PM; 3 PM to 9 PM.
- Entry fees – Free entry.
- Nearby hotels – Ayu Hotels, Ajanta Hotel, Hotel Gold Regency.
- Nearby restaurants – Cafe Lota, Cafe Buddy’s, Threesixty Degrees.
5. Yogmaya Temple
Yogamya or Jog Maya is a “Shakti Peetha” devoted to Mata Yogmaya, a sibling of Lord Krishna. The temple may not be not as big as others with fine architectural works, but it has some ancient and spiritual importance. For many centuries, nothing could sabotage this divine place.
This temple is deemed to be one of the five temples in Delhi built by the Pandavas. You can find immense calmness in this famous temple in Delhi.
- Location – Mehrauli Khasra No: 1806, New Delhi, India.
- Timings – 7 AM to 8 PM.
- Entry fees – Free entry.
- Nearby hotels – Mala Bindra B&B (1 km), Vivanta New Delhi Dwarka (3.76 km), Hotel Galaxy Rooms (0.10 km), Hotel Golden Residency (0.10 km), OYO Hotel Lemonade (0.16 km).
- Nearby restaurants – Guru Prasad Udupi (0.10 km), Chauhan New Crazy Tandoor (0.10 km), The Playground (0.6 km).
6. Svetambara Jain Temple
While having a tour of the famous temples in Delhi, you cannot avoid Svetambara Jain Temple. One of the most traditional Jain temples in Delhi, it has many visitors paying their devotion to Lord Parshavnath. This temple carries simplicity and clean culture which attracts more tourists.
- Location – Svetambara Jain Temple, Naughara Street, Kinari Bazaar, Old Delhi, India.
- Timings – 6 AM to 8 PM
- Entry fees – Free entry
- Nearby Hotels – (0.25 km) Haveli Dharampura, (0.36 km) Hotel Tara Palace Chandni Chowk, (0.36 km) Sheba Lodge
- Nearby restaurants – (0.06 km) Padam Chaat Corner, (0.13 km) Natraj Dahi Bhalle Wala, (0.10 km) Jung Bahadur Kachori Wala, (0.16 km) Haldiram’s, (0.15 km) Keventers.
7. Hanuman Mandir
If you are in Connaught Place, take the blessings of Hanuman at this ancient Hanuman Temple. It is also said to be one of the five temples of the Mahabharat era. The huge 108 feet tall sculpture of Hanuman Ji is the limelight of this temple and is noticeable from Jhandewalan & Karol Bagh Metro Station.
On Tuesdays and Hanuman Jayanti, you will find crowds of devotees at this temple. “Sandhya Aarti” is such a spell-bounded reaction it should be attended and let’s not discuss more and visit this magnificent temple.
- Location – Connaught Place, New Delhi, India.
- Timings – Hours may vary.
- Entry fees – Free entry.
- Nearby hotels – (0.09 km) Pavilion Suites New Delhi, (0.12 km) Minar Suites. (0.24 km) The Hans Hotel, (0.22 km) Today Hotels Pvt Ltd.
- Nearby restaurants – McDonald’s (0.2 km), Caramelo (0.3 km).
8. Laxminarayan Temple
Laxminarayan temple is also popularly known as Birla Mandir after the builder Jugal Kishore Birla. This temple is the first large temple in Delhi built-in 1939. This holy temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu with his wife Goddess Laxmi hence it is known as Laxminarayan Temple.
The temple’s architecture is in Nagara style. The whole temple depicts some extraordinary work that you won’t afford to miss, so mark Birla Mandir on your list.
- Location – Mandir Marg, Near Golmarket, Gole Market, New Delhi, India.
- Timings – 4:30 AM to 1 PM, 2:30 PM to 9 PM.
- Entry fees – Free entry.
- Nearby Attractions – Bhuli Bhatiyari (0.5 km), Gurudwara Bangla Sahib (3 km).
- Nearby hotels – The Connaught, New Delhi – IHCL SeleQtions (0.8 km), Hotel Ashoka Castle Deluxe (0.48 km), Appayan Inn The Bengali Paradise (0.48 km).
- Nearby restaurants – Cafe Festa, Surahi The Veg Kitchen, Suruchi.
9. Chhatarpur Temple
Covering more than 70 acres of area, this complex has a cluster of temples. Chhatarpur Temple is one of the famous and largest temples in Delhi. The elegant architecture of the temple is made of marble and unique carved jaalis.
In short, the architecture of these temples is majestic. More than one lakh of devotees attend here during celebrations of Dussehra, Mahashivratri, and Janmashtami. Tasty prasad is prepared in a large quantity for the believers.
- Location – Mani Chhatarpur Temple, 1 km from Chhatarpur Metro Station, New Delhi, India.
- Timings – 6 AM to 10 PM.
- Entry fees – Free entry.
- Nearby attractions – Qutub Minar (0.3 km), Vayu (0.5 km). Nearby hotels- Airport Residency (0.5 km), Tree of Life (3.57 km).
- Nearby restaurants – Equinox (0.2 km). Orchid (0.2 km), Angoor (0.5 km).
10. Jhandewalan Temple
Jhandewalan Temple is one of the most famous Hindu shrines in Delhi. This temple is dedicated to Goddess Durga, the implying of “Nari shakti”. Every day this temple has a huge rush and during Navratris you barely can stand in the queue. The temple is very clean and regularly maintained. For a spiritual geek, it’s a must go to this temple.
- Location – Desh Bandhu Gupta Rd, Block E, Jhandewalan Extension, Paharganj, New Delhi, India.
- Timings – 6 AM to 9:30 PM.
- Entry fees – Free entry.
- Attractions Nearby – Holiday Tours And Travels (0.28 km), Abyss Tours (0.44 km).
- Nearby hotels – Hotel Suncourt Corporate (0.26 km), Hotel Sunstar Grand (0.33 km), Treebo Trend Singh Sons (0.31 km).
- Nearby restaurants – Salam Food Corner (0.15 km), New Angaar Hyderabadi (0.11 km).
11. Shri Kalikaji Mandir
Are you craving some inner peace? Visit the Kalikaji Mandir, at a distance of a 2-minute walk from the metro station. Shri Kalikaji Temple is devoted to Maa Kali and is the only temple of Delhi that shares religious history connected to Kalyug.
Indian and foreigner devotees visit this temple throughout the year, but the divine time of their prayers and celebration is during both the Chaitra Navaratri and Sharad Navaratri. During this point, a large fair is organized twice a year. Really, this temple is worth visiting!
- Location – Metro Station Kalkaji Mandir, New Delhi, India.
- Timings – 5:00 AM to 11:30 PM Entry fees- Free entry. Nearby attractions- Metro Station, Lotus temple.
- Nearby hotels – Capital O Hotel Pushpa Vilas, Aashraye, Le Ground.
- Nearby restaurants – Epicure, The Snook Hook Cafe, KFC.
Conclusion
Delhi is not only famous for its exotic food, nightlife, or some politics but is much traditional and religious heritage. So, here I have added a couple of famous temples in Delhi to your travel list for this city. Trust me these places are more than what it’s mentioned here. On that note, I hope you are ready for some spiritual drive to these sacred places and the learn the richness of our culture and feel the tranquillity!
People are also reading: