Lingaraj Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Harihara, a form of Shiva and is one of the oldest

temples in Bhubaneswar, the capital of the East Indian state of Odisha (formerly Orissa). The temple
is the most prominent landmark of the Bhubaneswar city and one of the major tourist attractions of
the state.[1][2][3]
The Lingaraja temple is the largest temple in Bhubaneswar. The central tower of the temple is 180 ft
(55 m) tall. The temple represents the quintessence of the Kalinga Architecture and culminating the
medieval stages of the architectural tradition at Bhubaneswar.[4] The temple is believed to be built by
the kings from the Somavamsi dynasty, with later additions from the Ganga rulers. The temple is
built in the Deula style that has four components namely, vimana (structure containing the
sanctum),jagamohana (assembly hall), natamandira (festival hall) and bhoga-mandapa (hall of
offerings), each increasing in the height to its predecessor. The temple complex has 50 other shrines
and is enclosed by a large compound wall.
Bhubaneswar is called the Ekamra Kshetra as the deity of Lingaraj was originally under a mango
tree (Ekamra) as noted in Ekamra Purana, a 13th-century Sanskrit treatise. The temple is active in
worship practises, unlike most other temples in Bhubaneswar and Shiva is worshipped as Harihara,
a combined form of Vishnu and Shiva. The temple has images of Vishnu, possibly because of the
rising prominence of Jagannath sect emanating from the Ganga rulers who built the Jagannath
Temple in Puri in the 12th century.

Konark Sun Temple ([koark]; also Konrak) is a 13th-century Sun Temple (also known as
the Black Pagoda),[1] at Konark, inOdisha, India. It is believed that the temple was built by
king Narasimhadeva I of Eastern Ganga Dynasty around AD 1250.[2] The temple is in the shape of a
gigantic chariot with elaborately carved stone wheels, pillars and walls. A major part of the structure
is now in ruins. The temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.[3] It is also featured on NDTV's list of
Seven Wonders of India andTimes of India's list of Seven Wonders of India.

Etymology[edit]
The name Konark derives from the combination of the Sanskrit words, Kona (corner)
and Arka (sun), in reference to the temple which was dedicated to the Sun god Surya.[3]
The monument was also called the Black Pagoda by European sailors. In contrast, the Jagannath
Temple in Puri was called theWhite Pagoda. Both temples served as important landmarks for the
sailors.[1][4]

The Kand riy Mahdeva Temple (Devanagari: , IAST: Kand riy Mahdeva
Mandir) is the largest and most ornate Hindu temple in the medieval temple group found
at Khajuraho in Madhya Pradesh, India. It is considered one of the best examples of temples
preserved from the medieval period in India.[1] Khajuraho was once the religious capital of
the ChandelaRajputs and today is one of the most popular tourist destinations in India. The
Kandariya Mahadeva temple is the largest of the Western group of temples and was built by king
Dhangadeva in ca. 1030 (Asian Art, 2014), arguably one of the greatest Chandela kings. The temple
was built around 1050 on Hindu beliefs dating back to 1000 BC; The main spire or sikhara rises 31
metres (102 ft) to depict Mount Kailash, the Himalayan mountain abode of Shiva and is surrounded
by 84 miniature spires (or Urushringas). Inside the sanctum is a marble linga representing Shiva.
[2]
The Archaeological Survey of India protects the temple, which is part of theUNESCO World
Heritage site at Khajuraho.[citation needed]
The temple takes its name from kandara or cave and Mahadeva, another name for Shiva. Like many
other temples in the Khajuraho complex, it has a linear series of access-steps facing the east-west
directions. Other features are columned halls with balconies, an entrance porch, and the inner
sanctum. Decorating the sides of the temple are over 646 statues. At the top of the shikhara is
theamalaka, a circular ring motif common in North Indian temple architecture. The erotic figures do
not span the whole temple and are not to be found among the 226 found inside. The temple includes
some of the most energetic eroticism to be seen at khajuraho.

The Dilwara temples of India are located about 2 kilometres from Mount Abu, Rajasthan's only hill
station. These Jain templeswere built by Vastupal-Tejpal, a Jain laymen.[1][2] between the 11th and
13th centuries AD are world famous for their stunning use of marble. The five legendary marble
temples of Dilwara are a sacred pilgrimage place of the Jains. Some consider them to be one of the
most beautiful Jain pilgrimage sites in the world. The marble temples have an opulent entranceway,
the simplicity in architecture reflecting Jain values like honesty and frugality. The temples are in the
midst of a range of forested hills. A high wall shrouds the temple complex.
Although the Jains built some beautiful temples at other places in Rajasthan, some believe that none
come close to these in terms of architectural perfection. The ornamental detail spreading over the
minutely carved ceilings, doorways, pillars and panels is simply marvellous.
Facilities are available for bathing, which is mandatory before puja is performed for the idols. These
facilities use passive solar power to heat up the water for bathing and other things. Guided tour
hours for tourists are posted outside the temple.

The Chennakesava Temple, (Kannada: ) originally called Vijayanarayana

Temple (Kannada: ), was built on the banks of the Yagachi River in Belur, by
the Hoysala Empire King Vishnuvardhana. Belur, which was an early Hoysala capital is in
the Hassan district of Karnataka state, India. It is 40 km from Hassan city and 220 km
from Bangalore. Chennakesava (lit, "handsome Kesava") is a form of the Hindu god Vishnu. Belur is
well known for its marvelous temples built during the rule of the Hoysala dynasty, making it and
nearby Halebidu favored tourist destinations in Karnataka state. These temple complexes have been
proposed to be listed under UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
The temple was commissioned by King Vishnuvardhana in 1117 AD. Scholars are divided about the
reasons for the construction of the temple. The military successes of Vishnuvardhana is considered
a probable reason.[1] Some scholars believe Vishnuvardhana commissioned the temple to surpass
his overlord, King Vikramaditya VI of the Western Chalukya Empire (who ruled from Basavakalyan),
after his initial military victories against the Chalukyas.[2]According to another theory, Vishnuvardhana
was celebrating his famous victory against the Chola dynasty of Tamil country in the battle
ofTalakad (1116 AD), which resulted in the annexation of Gangavadi (modern southern Karnataka)
by the Hoysalas.[3] Another theory points to Vishnuvardhana's conversion
from Jainism to Vaishnavism (a sect of Hinduism) after coming under the influence of
saint Ramanujacharya, considering this is a predominantly Vaishnava temple in sculptural
iconography.[4] The Hoysalas employed many noted architects and artisans who developed a new
architectural tradition, which art critic Adam Hardy called the Karnata Dravida tradition.[5] In all 118
inscriptions have been recovered from the temple complex, covering the period 1117 AD to the 18th
century, giving historians details of the artists employed, grants made to the temple and renovations
committed during later times.