Asia boasts the highest concentration of temples among all continents. This is due to the fact that it is the birthplace of many of the world's major religions, including Buddhism, Hinduism, Jainism, Sikhism, and Taoism, which have inspired some of the most renowned temples globally.
10. Lotus Temple
The Bahá’í House of Worship, famously referred to as the Lotus Temple due to its floral design, is a landmark of the Bahá’í Faith. Its distinctive lotus shape is created by 27 individual marble petals arranged in clusters of three to form nine sides. Since opening in 1986, it has become one of Delhi's top tourist destinations. The surrounding park is beautifully landscaped but mostly restricted.
9. Ranakpur Temple
The Jain Temple in Ranakpur, dedicated to Adinatha, stands grandly on the side of a hill. It is supported by 1,444 intricately carved marble pillars, each unique in design. The temple and its quadruple image symbolize the Tirthankara's domination over the four cardinal directions and thus the universe. Although its exact date of construction is debated, it is believed to have been built between the late 14th and mid-15th centuries.
8. Taktsang Dzong
The Taktsang Monastery, also known as Tiger's Nest, is a breathtaking sight perched on the edge of a 3,000 feet (900 meters) cliff and serves as an unofficial emblem of Bhutan. A strenuous 2-3 hour uphill hike from the parking lot is required to reach the temple. Although the original monastery was built in the 17th century, much of it was destroyed by fire in 1998. However, it has since been meticulously restored to its former splendor.
7. Temple of the Emerald Buddha
The Temple of the Emerald Buddha, commonly known as Wat Phra Kaew, is a well-known temple located inside the Grand Palace in Bangkok. The central ubosoth building houses the Emerald Buddha, a jade statue covered in golden attire, which is one of the oldest and most revered Buddha statues globally.
6. Temple of Heaven
The Temple of Heaven in Beijing is considered a Taoist Temple, although the practice of worshiping Heaven predates Taoism in China. Built between 1406 and 1420 during the reign of the Yongle Emperor, who also commissioned the construction of the Forbidden City in Beijing, the temple is a stunning sight. Additionally, it is surrounded by a large public park that is frequently visited by locals who engage in tai chi in the mornings and on weekends.
5. Golden Pavilion
Kinkaku-ji, also known as the Temple of the Golden Pavilion, is the most visited tourist spot in Kyoto. Originally built as a retirement home for Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu in the late 14th century, it was later transformed into a Zen temple by his son. Sadly, the pavilion was destroyed by fire in 1950 by a monk who had developed an obsession with it. However, it was reconstructed five years later as an exact replica of the original. The mesmerizing reflection of the temple on the water, along with its stunning landscaping, make for a captivating view.
4. Harmandir Sahib
The Harmandir Sahib, commonly referred to as the Golden Temple, is the central attraction in Amritsar and holds significant religious importance to Sikhs. The temple was initiated by Guru Ramdas ji in the 16th century and completed by Guru Arjan. In the 19th century, Maharaja Ranjit Singh coated the upper floors of the temple in gold, which led to its radiant appearance and English moniker. With its beauty, the temple is constantly thronged by thousands of pilgrims from all over India who are eager to visit a place they've only seen on TV.
3. Baalbek
Baalbek, in northeastern Lebanon, is a remarkable archaeological site. In the 1st century BC, the Romans constructed three temples there over the course of two centuries: the Temple of Jupiter, the Temple of Bacchus, and the Temple of Venus. The Temple of Jupiter was designed to be the largest temple in the Roman Empire, featuring 54 towering granite columns that measured 21 meters (70 feet) in height. Although only six of these columns still stand, they are an awe-inspiring sight. The Temple of Bacchus, built in 150 AD, is the best preserved temple at the site.
2. Borobudur
The Borobudur, the largest and most renowned Buddhist temple in Indonesia, can be found on the island of Java, 40 km (25 miles) northwest of Yogyakarta. This temple was constructed over 75 years, during the 8th and 9th centuries by the Sailendra kingdom, using roughly 2 million stone blocks. Despite its grandeur, the temple was mysteriously deserted in the 14th century and was buried beneath volcanic ash, lost to the jungle for centuries.
1. Angkor Wat
Angkor Wat, meaning "City Temple," is a massive temple complex located in Angkor, Cambodia. Constructed in the early 12th century by King Suryavarman II as his state temple and capital, it stands elevated on a terrace above the surrounding city. The temple features three ascending rectangular galleries leading to a central tower and is the only one at Angkor to maintain its religious significance throughout history, serving as both a Hindu and Buddhist temple.
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