Prambanan Temple, Angkor Wat, Batu Caves and other temples in world that you probably didn't know about

The term temple, derived from the Latin word ‘Templum’ means a structure reserved for spiritual and religious activities.

Hindu temples are known worldwide for their rich history and spellbinding architecture. Depending on the region in which they are located and the native language, different names such as Mandir, mandira, ambalam, gudi, koil, kovil and déul are used. Some Hindu temples date back to the Bronze age and are much appreciated for their magnificent sculptures.

In sync with the large number of Indians residing in countries other than India, various beautiful temples are present outside India. However, not many of us are aware about these spectacular temples that should have been on our bucket list of places to visit.

Here, we bring you the list of 10 most aesthetic Hindu temples from all around the world that you should visit at least once in your lifetime.

Prambanan Temple, Indonesia

Candi Prambanan, a 9th century Hindu temple is located in Central Java, Indonesia. Dedicated to Trimurti; the Creator (Brahma), the Preserver (Vishnu) and the Destroyer (Shiva), this temple attracts tourists from all around. Bearing a tall and pointed style of architecture, this is one of the most beautiful temples. It is the largest Hindu site in Indonesia and among the biggest temples in South East Asia.

Batu Caves, Malaysia

Batu caves is a Hindu shrine situated in Kuala Lampur, Malaysia. It is a limestone hill that has a series of 3 cave temples one after the another. Taking its name from the river Sungai Batu, this temple is dedicated to the Lorg Murugan. It is a pilgrimage site for Hindus from various countries such as India, Australia and Singapore.

Angkor Wat, Combodia

Angkor Wat is a temple complex in Combodia and is the largest religious monument in the world. The name ‘Angkor Wat’ means a city of temples. It was originally founded as a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu for the Khmer Empire but gradually transformed into a Buddhist Temple. Known for its traditional pattern of architecture, this has become a symbol of Cambodia featuring on its national flag. This temple deploys the circles and square grid structures as mentioned in the Indian Vasta Shastras. One special feature of this temple is the numerous devatas adorning the walls.

Tanah Lot, Bali

Tanah Lot is a pilgrimage Balinese temple which is greatly influenced by the Hinduism. This temple sits on a large offshore rock that has been molded continuously over the years by the ocean tide. Being one of the most attractive tourist spots in Bali, it has now become a cultural icon for photography.

Pashupatinath Temple, Nepal

This temple serves a spot for the Hindu deity Pashupatinath. It is one of the most sacred temples in the Hindu faith. This has mainly been built in the Nepalese Pagoda style of architecture. Cubic constructions, beautifully carved wooden rafters and a gold pinnacle are among the highlights of this temple.

Sri Mariamman Temple, Singapore

Located in China town, this is one of the oldest Hindu temples in Singapore. This is dedicated to Goddess Mariamman who is known for her power to cure illness and diseases. The majestic grand tower entrance called Gopuram and the fine detailing of the structure are features that has made it a popular tourist spot.

BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Atlanta

Officially called the Shri Swami Narayaran mandir, this temple is the largest Hindu temple of its kind. With hand-carved stone spires, this is the tallest monument in Atlanta. The main features include the custom-carved stonework, the traditional design features and five prominent pinnacles.

Dhakeshwari Temple, Bangladesh

The name Dhakeshwari means ‘Goddess of Dhaka’. This is the most important Hindu worship site in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Within the temple, there are two types of architecture. This temple was declared as the National Temple of Dhaka in 1996.