20 Temples in Delhi for a Divine Pilgrimage

An epitome of Indian culture, spirituality, and architecture, Akshardham Temple is a famous Hindu temple and a spiritual-cultural complex. Also known as Swaminarayan Akshardham, it is dedicated to Lord Swaminarayan. Akshardham has made its way to the Guinness Book of World Records as the World's Largest Comprehensive Hindu Temple.

Located in the national capital of New Delhi, the Lotus Temple is an edifice dedicated to the Baha'i faith. The magnificent structure of this building unfolds in the form of a stupendous white petal lotus and is one of the most visited establishments in the world. The design of this shrine was conceptualized by Canadian architect Fariborz Sahba and was completed in the year 1986.

Towering over the entire New Delhi city, the 108 feet colossal Hanuman idol is housed within the Hanuman Mandir complex in Jhandewalan. Another important highlight of the shrine is the dramatic entrance designed like a mouth of a rakshasa (Demon) which apparently has been slain and is waiting for its death. At the base of the statue, there is a small shrine dedicated to Goddess Kali. Tuesdays are the most visited days of the week.

The ISKCON Temple, also known as the Hare Rama Hare Krishna Temple, is a shrine dedicated to Lord Krishna. It was established in 1998 by Achyut Kanvinde and is located in the Hare Krishna Hills, in the East of the Kailash area of New Delhi. The ISKCON temple is an exquisite construction adorned with classical stonework on the outside and pristine artwork on the inside. One of the largest temple complexes in the region, its followers believe in Srila Prabhupada.

The Birla Temple, popularly known as the Laxminarayan Temple is a temple dedicated to Laxminarayan. It is located at Connaught Place, New Delhi and was built by the Birla family. Built-in the early 1900s and spread over a whopping 7.5 acres, the temple houses many shrines, fountains and gardens along with sculptures and carvings. The prime deity is Lord Narayan along with Goddess Laxmi. There are also shrines dedicated to Lord Ganesha, Shiva and Hanuman.

Situated in Chhatarpur, South Delhi, Chhatarpur Temple is dedicated to Goddess Katyayani, a part of Navadurga. Founded by Baba Sant Nagpal Ji in 1974, the temple is the second largest in India after Akshardham Temple (which is also in Delhi). Popular for its fabulous lattice screen work (jaali design), the shrine is a masterpiece of spectacular architecture which is an amalgamation of South and North Indian designs.

The Hanuman Mandir at Connaught Place is the famous Bal Hanuman temple of India. It was established by the Pandavas after conquering Kururkshetra. It was later renovated by Maharaja Jai Singh. The presiding deity is Lord Hanuman. The small temple is located on Baba Kharak Singh Marg in CP.

Sri Digambar Jain Lal Mandir is the best-known and the most ancient Jain temple in Delhi. Located in Chandni Chowk, in the vicinity of Red Fort, the striking building is made entirely out of red sandstone. Originally built in 1658, the temple underwent major modifications and alterations in the later years. Popularly known as Lal Mandir aka ‘Red Temple’, the temple is dedicated to the 23rd Jain Tirthankara- Parshvanath.

Also known as the Kalkaji temple, this Hindu mandir is located in the southern part of Delhi. The Kalka Mandir is dedicated to goddess Kali who symbolizes power and is a destroyer of evil. Mythology believed that Kali Mata was born at the same place as where this temple currently stands. It is also believed that during the Mahabharata, Lord Krishna and the Pandavas also worshipped Kali at this very temple.

Sri Jagannath Mandir in Delhi, located in Hauz Khas, is a replica of the famous Jagannath Temple in Puri. This temple is highly revered among the Oriya community of Delhi. The main deity is Lord Jagannath while Lord Balabhadra and Maa Subhadra are also worshipped here. The temple sees a huge crowd of devotees during the Rath Yatra festival each year.

One of the oldest Kali temples in Delhi, the Kali Bari Temple is located in Connaught Place, very close to the Laxminarayan Temple. An interesting fact about the temple - Subhash Chandra Bose was the first President of the Kali Bari Mandir. Durga Puja, a sacred festival for the Bengalis is celebrated very popularly here. There has been no change in the rituals of the Puja since 1936!

The Nili Chhatri temple is situated at Nigambodh Ghat in Delhi, on the banks of the famous Yamuna River. It is believed that the Nili Chhatri temple was built by the oldest Pandava, Yudhistir. A famous ritual Ashwamedha - a horse sacrifice followed by a Vedic recitation was said to be performed in this temple. Under the blue dome, the people worship the holy Lord Shiva. It is most visited during Mahashivratri, Basant Panchami and Shravan Mass. On these auspicious days, the devotees offer Lord Shiva Bel-Patri, milk and flowers.

The Yogmaya Temple, also known as the Jogmaya temple, is located in Mehrauli, New Delhi. It is dedicated to Goddess Yogmaya, sister of Lord Krishna. This sacred place is more than 5000 years old and has been destroyed multiple times during the Sultanate and Mughal periods. The temple is famous for its inter-faith festival, Phoolwalon-ki-sair Festival. Started in 1812, it's one of Delhi's oldest religious traditions.

The Gauri Shankar Temple is located near the Digambar Jain Mandir in Chandni Chowk. Along with Lord Shiva, Parvati, Ganesh and Kartik are worshipped here. The temple houses an 800-year-old Shivalingam. The Gauri Shankar Temple is believed to have been built by Apa Ganga Dhar, a soldier who had vowed to construct a temple if he survived the war wounds.

The famous Shani Dham Temple is located on Chhatarpur Road. It houses one of the tallest idols of Lord Shani. The rituals followed at this temple usually begin by offering mustard oil to the idol while chanting mantras around it. The devotees also offer their footwear and kiss and embrace the idol. The major festivals celebrated here are the Deepavali pooja, Navratri Pooja and the special puja celebrated on the auspicious day of Shani Amavasya.

Bhairo Temple, also known as Sri Kilkari Bhairav Temple is believed to have been built by the Pandavas. It is located in the Purana Quila complex, Pragati Maidan. Devotees believe that Bheema attained Siddhi at this temple. There are 2 wings inside - Doodhiya Bhairav Temple where milk is offered to the deity and the Kilkari Bhairav where alcohol is offered.

Located on Palam Marg, New Delhi, the Uttara Swami Malai Mandir is a temple dedicated to Lord Swaminatha. The temple is famous for its Tamil Architecture. Also known as Malai Mandir, it is the most popular south Indian temple in Delhi. The temple complex also houses separate temples for the mother, father and elder brother of Lord Swaminathan.

The beautiful temple of Uttara Guruvayurappan Temple is located in East Delhi. It is dedicated to Lord Krishna.  Founded on 17th May 1983, the temple is looked after by the Malayali and Tamilian communities of Delhi. The entrance of the temple has two Gopuras on either side with two separate chambers for Lord Krishna and Bhagvati. They also have smaller chambers for Shiva, Ganpati and a replica in honour of the Naga Devatas.

The biggest Sai Baba Temple in Delhi is located on Lodhi Road. There is a huge Sai Baba idol in the main hall where devotees offer chaadar and flowers. Many people claim to feel Sai Baba's presence here since the temple was built.

Located on Hanuman Road in Janakpuri, the Arya Samaj Mandir is one of the most famous temples in Delhi to get married. The temple and its devotees do not believe in caste, creed, and religion and is open for anyone to exchange their vows. The temple was established by Swami Dayanand Saraswati to provide a simple place to learn about the vedas. There is no idol inside the temple.