Even before our parents were born, some of these temples were built to serve its purpose. What makes them very intriguing are the designs carved around them. Historically, temples are not just used as the worshiping place of ancient times but also used as the place of sacrificing animals and humans.
Ranganatha Swamy Temple
Location: Srirangam, Tamil Nadu
Date Built: Unknown (although said that it existed more than 2000 years ago
Architecture: Dravidian architecture
The temple was built for worshipping the god Vishnu. It occupies an area of 156 acres (6,31,000 m²) with a perimeter of 1,116m (10,710 feet) making it the largest temple in India and one of the largest religious complexes in the world. Religious documentation informs us that this temple is the only one of its kind for Lord Vishnu that was sung in praise by all the Alwars (Divine saints of Tamil Bhakthi movement), having a total of 247 "pasurams" (hymns) in its name. Acharyas of all schools of thought -- Advaita, Vishistadvaita and Dvaita -- recognize the immense significance this temple, regardless of their affiliation. The religion who used this temple was Hinduism. This is where the sacrifices were made to honor their god.
Bayon Temple in Angor Thom
Creator: Jayavarman VII
Place: Angkor Thom, Cambodia
Date Built: End of 12th Century
The unique feature of this temple is the many faces that can be seen on the walls outside the temple. The temple is said to be the last temple built and the only state Mahayana Buddhist temple built for Buddha in Angkor. What you can find in the temple is a mixture of mythological and historical events.
Gedong Songo Temple
Gedong Songo is one of the most beautifully sited temple complexes in Central Java and the views alone are worth the trip. Gedung Songo ('Nine Buildings') belong to the earliest antiquities of Java, they follow up the temples on the Dieng Plateau directly, for what about time. They were also built high in the mountains in an area full with volcanic activity; and they were also from Hinduist origin.
Kinkaku-ji Temple
Date Built: 1937
Purpose: retirement villa for Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu
Location: Kyoto, Japan
This temple was actually used as the retirement Villa for Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu but was then converted to a Zen temple in Rinzai School by his son. This Pavillion was burned down by a monk who later tried to commit suicide. The place was full restored in the year 2003 when its roof was fixed.
Ulun Danu Bratan Temple
Location: Beratan Lake of Bedugul Bali
This temple is a floating temple in Bali, Indonesia. It is built in an elevation of 1239 above sea level. The temple is dedicated to the goddess of serene lake Bratan, asa manifestation of Brahman as Wisnu, the preserver.
Temple Of Vesta
Architecture: Greek Architecture
Date Built: 3rd century B.C.
Location: Rome
By the name itself, we can infer that the temple was used as the worshipping place of Vesta in Rome. All temples to Vesta were round, and had entrances facing east to symbolize connection between Vesta's fire and the sun as sources of life.
Golden Temple
Architectural Style: Sikh architecture
Location: Amritsar, India
Date Built: August 1604
It is culturally the most significant place of worship of the Sikhs and one of the oldest Sikh gurdwaras. Its name literally means, House of God. The fourth Guru of Sikhism, [Guru Ram Das], excavated a tank in 1577 which subsequently became known as Amritsar (meaning: Pool of the Nectar of Immortality), giving its name to the city that grew around it. If we are going to see the color of the temple we can see why it was named as "The Golden Temple".
Chichen Itza's Kukulcan Temple
Location: Yucatán Peninsula (Yucatan State known now sa Mexico)
If you have seen the movie "Apocalypto" then you must have seen this temple. This is where the sacrificial ceremony is being held by the ancient people. This was used by the Maya Civilization. Chichen Itza was a major regional focal point in the northern Maya lowlands from the Late Classic through the Terminal Classic and into the early portion of the Early Postclassic period. Several archaeologists in late 1980s suggested that unlike previous Maya polities of the Early Classic, Chichen Itza may not have been governed by an individual ruler or a single dynastic lineage. Instead, the city's political organization could have been structured by a "multepal" system, which is characterized as rulership through council composed of members of elite ruling lineages.
Prambanan Temple
Date Built: 850 CE
Location: India
Architectural Style: Hindu temple architecture
Personally I can say that this is the most Hindu Temple I have ever seen in my life considering its architectural style and height. It is the largest Hindu temple compound in Central Java in Indonesia, located approximately 18 km east of Yogyakarta.
Salt Lake Temple
Location: 50 W. North Temple St., Salt Lake City, UT 84150, United States
Designed by: Truman O. Angell
Religious Purpose: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Among any other temple on the list, this one is the only modern style temple I have chosen. Although I am not part of their religion I can say that their architectural style of the building is magnificent. This one is the largest among the 142 large temples they have. Just don't look up or your neck will really break.
Livermore Temple
Since its incorporation in 1977, the Hindu Community and Cultural Center (HCCC) has made great strides in its mission to build and operate a Hindu Temple. A nine- year odyssey, led to construction of the Shiva-Vishnu Temple in Livermore, CA., whose Kumbhabhishekam (Consecration) was celebrated in 1986, followed by Mahakumbhabhishekam (12th anniversary) in 1998. The Temple has been built to authentic specifications in the best of North and South Indian traditions, and is one of the few Hindu Temples in Northem California that offers comprehensive services for ritualistic worship of Hindu deities (Homas, Abhishekas, Archanas, etc).
