Click through the slideshow to view beautiful temples that are World Heritage Sites:

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  • Angkor Wat (Angkor) at Angkor, Cambodia

    Angkor Wat is the principle temple of Angkor, which served as the seat of the Khmer Empire and was enlisted as a World Heritage Site in 1992. Angkor Wat was constructed as a Hindu temple dedicated to Vishnu, the god of preservation, in the 12th century under Suryavarman II. Later on, it was used for Theravada Buddhist worship, but remains the largest existing Hindu temple. A rare architectural achievement of mankind, the carvings on its walls tell stories of Vishnu and his reincarnated forms, and from ancient Hindu epics, the Ramayana and Mahabharata.

  • Elephanta Caves

    The Elephanta Caves are a group of caves sacred to Hindus and Buddhists that are located east of Mumbai, India. It was designated as a World Heritage Site in 1987 and art historians date its construction to between 5th and 8th centuries. The principal cave contains exquisite carvings of the Hindu god Shiva in his various forms, and for a long time, has been a place of worship for Hindus. The photo depicts <em>Ardhanarishwara</em>, a composite half-male, half-female form of Shiva and his consort Parvati.

  • Kailasnatha Temple -- Ellora Caves

    The Ellora Caves are a group of caves sacred to Hindus, Buddhists and Jains located near Aurangabad, India. The caves were designated as a World Heritage Site in 1983 and were constructed between 5th century and 10th century. These caves are world-known for rock-cut temples containing elaborate carvings on the walls. Kailasanatha, the primary cave, is carved out of a single rock and is designed to appear like Mount Kailasa, believed to be the abode of the Hindu god Shiva. This photo shows the exterior of the Kailasanatha Temple.

  • Airavatesvara Temple -- Great Living Chola Temples

    One of the three Great Living Chola Temples designated as a World Heritage Site in 2004, the Airavatesvara Temple is located in Darasuram, India. It was built by Rajaraja Chola II in the 12th century in the Dravidian style of architecture. The temple is dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva.

  • Brihadeeswarar Temple (Periya Koyil) -- Great Living Chola Temples

    One of the three Great Living Chola Temples designated as a World Heritage Site in 1987, the Peruvudaiyar Koyil is located in Thanjavur, India. It was built by Rajaraja Chola I in the 11th century in the Dravidian style of architecture. It was built is a very grand manner to denote the king's power and affluence. Today it remains one of India's largest temples. The temple is dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva.

  • Brihadiswara Temple (Gangaikonda Cholapuram) -- Great Living Chola Temples

    One of the three Great Living Chola Temples designated as a World Heritage Site in 2004, the Brihadiswara Temple, more commonly known as Sivan Koyil, is located in Gangaikonda Cholapuram. It was build by the Chola king Rajendra I in the 11th century in the traditional Dravidian style of temple architecture. The temple is dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva.

  • Hazara Rama Temple -- Group of Monuments at Hampi

    The Hazara Rama Temple is a ruined temple complex located within the ruins of the ancient city of Vijayanagara, India in the village of Hampi, which was enlisted as a World Heritage Site in 1986. The temple is dedicated to Rama and is particularly well-known for stories of the Ramayana that are etched on its walls.

  • Krishna Temple Complex -- Group of Monuments at Hampi

    The Krishna Temple Complex is located within the ruins of the ancient city of Vijayanagara, India in the village of Hampi, which was enlisted as a World Heritage Site in 1986. It was built in the 16th century by Krishnadevaraya. The temple is dedicated to Krishna, and is particularly well-known for impressive carvings on the temple walls.

  • Virupaksha Temple -- Group of Monuments at Hampi

    The Virupaksha Temple is located on the banks of the river Tungabhadra within the ruins of the ancient city of Vijayanagara, India in the village of Hampi, which was enlisted as a World Heritage Site in 1986. The temple's history goes back to the 7th century. It is dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva, and is the main center of pilgrimage in Hampi.

  • Vittala Temple Complex -- Group of Monuments at Hampi

    The Vittala Temple is located within the ruins of the ancient city of Vijayanagara, India in the village of Hampi, which was enlisted as a World Heritage Site in 1986. The temple was built in the 15th century and is dedicated to Vishnu, the Hindu god of preservation. This temple is particularly well-known for its iconic stone chariot as well as the musical pillars (pillars when tapped emanate a musical note).

  • Chaturbhuj Temple -- Group of Monuments at Khajuraho

    The Chaturbhuj Temple is located in Khajuraho, India and is one of a number of Hindu and Jain temples called Khajuraho Group of Monuments, which was enlisted as a World Heritage Site in 1986. The temples were built by the rules of the Chandella dynasty between the 10th and the 12th centuries. The Khajuraho temples are known worldwide for erotic sculptures on the temple walls and are considered to be one of the seven wonders of India. Chaturbhuj is the only temple that lacks erotic inscriptions. This temple is dedicated to Vishnu.

  • Devi Jagambi Temple -- Group of Monuments at Khajuraho

    The Devi Jagdambi Temple is located in Khajuraho, India and is one of a number of Hindu and Jain temples called Khajuraho Group of Monuments, which was enlisted as a World Heritage Site in 1986. The temples were built by the rules of the Chandella dynasty between the 10th and the 12th centuries. The Khajuraho temples are known worldwide for erotic sculptures on the temple walls and are considered to be one of the seven wonders of India. This temple is dedicated to Devi, the mother goddess.

  • Duladeo Temple -- Group of Monuments at Khajuraho

    The DulaDeo Temple is located in Khajuraho, India and is one of a number of Hindu and Jain temples called Khajuraho Group of Monuments, which was enlisted as a World Heritage Site in 1986. The temples were built by the rules of the Chandella dynasty between the 10th and the 12th centuries. The Khajuraho temples are known worldwide for erotic sculptures on the temple walls and are considered to be one of the seven wonders of India. This temple is dedicated to Shiva, the Hindu god of destruction.

  • Javari Temple -- Group of Monuments at Khajuraho

    The Javari Temple is located in Khajuraho, India and is one of a number of Hindu and Jain temples called Khajuraho Group of Monuments, which was enlisted as a World Heritage Site in 1986. The temples were built by the rules of the Chandella dynasty between the 10th and the 12th centuries. The Khajuraho temples are known worldwide for erotic sculptures on the temple walls and are considered to be one of the seven wonders of India. This temple is dedicated to Vishnu.

  • Kandariya Mahadeo Temple -- Group of Monuments at Khajuraho

    The Kandariya Mahadeva Temple is located in Khajuraho, India and is one of a number of Hindu and Jain temples called Khajuraho Group of Monuments, which was enlisted as a World Heritage Site in 1986. The temples were built by the rules of the Chandella dynasty between the 10th and the 12th centuries. The Khajuraho temples are known worldwide for erotic sculptures on the temple walls and are considered to be one of the seven wonders of India. Kandariya Mahadeva is the largest and best-preserved temple from the medieval ages found in India. This temple is dedicated to Shiva, the Hindu god of destruction.

  • Lakshmana Temple -- Khajuraho Group of Monuments

    The Lakshmana Temple is located in Khajuraho, India and is one of a number of Hindu and Jain temples called Khajuraho Group of Monuments, which was enlisted as a World Heritage Site in 1986. The temples were built by the rules of the Chandella dynasty between the 10th and the 12th centuries. The Khajuraho temples are known worldwide for erotic sculptures on the temple walls and are considered to be one of the seven wonders of India. This temple is dedicated to Vishnu.

  • Varaha Temple -- Khajuraho Group of Monuments

    The Varaha Temple is located in Khajuraho, India and is one of a number of Hindu and Jain temples called Khajuraho Group of Monuments, which was enlisted as a World Heritage Site in 1986. The temples were built by the rules of the Chandella dynasty between the 10th and the 12th centuries. The Khajuraho temples are known worldwide for erotic sculptures on the temple walls and are considered to be one of the seven wonders of India. This temple is dedicated to Varaha (meaning boar), the third avatar of Vishnu. This photo shows a statue of Varaha.

  • Konark Sun Temple

    The Konark Sun Temple is located in Konark, India overlooking the Bay of Bengal, and was enlisted as a World Heritage Site in 1984. It was constructed in the 13th century by King Narasimhadeva I and is dedicated to the Sun god. This is one of the most majestic temples of India, and was originally conceived of as a chariot of the Sun deity. The chariot is drawn by seven horses on 12 pairs of decorated wheels at its base.

  • Pancha Rathas-- Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram

    The Pancha Rathas are located near Chennai, India along the Coromandel coast, and are part of a group of monuments in Mahabalipuram, which was declared a World Heritage Site in 1984. The monuments in Mahabalipuram were founded by the Pallava kings, were constructed in the 7th and 8th centuries and particularly known for rock-cut architecture. The Pancha Rathas are temples in the form of chariots, and are named after the five Pandavas (Arjuna, Bhima, Yudishthira, Nakul and Sahadeva), and Draupadi.

  • Shore Temple -- Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram

    The Shore Temple is located near Chennai, India along the Coromandel coast, and is part of a group of monuments in Mahabalipuram, which was declared a World Heritage Site in 1984. The monuments in Mahabalipuram were founded by the Pallava kings, were constructed in the 7th and 8th centuries and particularly known for rock-cut architecture. The Shore Temple is distinctive in that it is one of the first structural (not rock-cut) stone temples of its time. The temple is dedicated to Shiva, the Hindu god of destruction.

  • Thirukadalmallai -- Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram

    The Thirukadalmallai Temple is located near Chennai, India along the Coromandel coast, and is part of a group of monuments in Mahabalipuram, which was declared a World Heritage Site in 1984. The monuments in Mahabalipuram were founded by the Pallava kings, were constructed in the 7th and 8th centuries and particularly known for rock-cut architecture. This temple is dedicated to Vishnu, the Hindu god of preservation.

  • Varaha Temple -- Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram

    The Varaha Temple is located near Chennai, India along the Coromandel coast, and is part of a group of monuments in Mahabalipuram, which was declared a World Heritage Site in 1984. The monuments in Mahabalipuram were founded by the Pallava kings, were constructed in the 7th and 8th centuries and particularly known for rock-cut architecture. The Varaha Temple is a rock-cut cave temple dedicated to Varaha (meaning 'Boar'), the third incarnation of Vishnu.

  • Mallikarjuna and Kashivishwanatha Temples -- Group of Monuments at Pattadakal

    The Mallikarjuna and Kashivishwanatha temples in the village of Pattadakal, India are part of a group of monuments in Pattadakal, which was declared a World Heritage Site in 1987. These temples were built by the Chalukya dynasty in the 8th century and include a mixture of south and north Indian temple architecture styles. These temples are dedicated to Shiva, the Hindu god of destruction.

  • Sangameshvara Temple -- Group of Monuments at Pattadakal

    The Sangameshwara Temple in the village of Pattadakal, India is part of a group of monuments in Pattadakal, which was declared a World Heritage Site in 1987. These temples were built by the Chalukya dynasty in the 8th century and include a mixture of south and north Indian temple architecture styles. The Sangameshwara temple is dedicated to Shiva.

  • Virupaksha Temple -- Group of Monuments at Pattadakal

    The Virupaksha Temple in the village of Pattadakal, India is part of a group of monuments in Pattadakal, which was declared a World Heritage Site in 1987. These temples were built by the Chalukya dynasty in the 8th century and include a mixture of south and north Indian temple architecture styles. The Virupaksha temple is dedicated to Shiva.

  • Prambanan

    The Prambanan Temple complex is located in Central Java, Indonesia and was declared a World Heritage Site in 1991. It is the largest Hindu temple in Indonesia, and one of the largest in South-East Asia. The three main shrines are dedicated to Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, and there are smaller temples / shrines dedicated to other deities.

  • Pashupatinath - Group of Monuments at Kathmandu Valley

    The Pashupatinath Temple, located in eastern Kathmandu, Nepal, and part of the Group of Monuments at Kathmandu Valley, was declared a World Heritage Site in 1979. One of the oldest and most important Shiva temples, entrance is forbidden to those perceived to be non-Hindus. This photo shows the entrance to the Pashupatinath Temple.

  • Changu Narayan -- Group of Monuments at Kathmandu Valley

    The Changu Narayan Temple, located in the Bhaktapur district of Nepal is part of the Group of Monuments at Kathmandu Valley. It was declared a World Heritage Site in 1979. The temple is dedicated to Vishnu and is believed to be the oldest temple in Nepal.

  • Kathmandu Durbar Square -- Group of Monuments at Kathmandu Valley

    The Durbar Square (generic name for a plaza opposite a royal palace) in Kathmandu is part of the Group of Monuments at Kathmandu Valley and was declared a World Heritage Site in 1979. There are several temples in this square dedicated to many deities -- Bhagvati, Jagannath, Kotilingeswara Mahadev, Mahendreswara, Taleju and Krishna among others.

  • Bhaktapur Durbar Square -- Group of Monuments at Kathmandu Valley

    The Bhaktapur Durbar Square (generic name for a plaza opposite a royal palace) in eastern Kathmandu is part of the Group of Monuments at Kathmandu Valley and was declared a World Heritage Site in 1979. There are several temples in this square dedicated to many deities, and the most important one is the Taleju Temple, which does not permit those perceived to be non-Hindu to enter.

Hindu places of worship range from small shrines under trees, to temple complexes that contain thousands of smaller temples. Depending on the time period, region or philosophical school, the sacred sites can be simple with bare walls or meticulously detailed with ornate art and intricate carvings on the walls.

Some temples are dedicated to one deity, while others are dedicated to multiple deities with one presiding. The Khajuraho temple complex, famous for erotic sculptures on temple walls, contains temples that sacred to Hindus, Buddhists and Jains.

The earliest Hindu temples are dated to right after the Vedic period, which is roughly from 1500 to 500 BCE.

Hindu temple architecture has evolved greatly in the last 2000 years, starting with cave temples, to monolithic rock-cut temples and freestanding structural temples made of stone.

Since 1976, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has designated close to a 1000 outstanding, endangered places as World Heritage sites of cultural and natural significance. There are several temples on that list.

Despite some of these temples no longer being used as places of worship by Hindus (either because the temple is in ruins, or because it is used as a place of worship by another religious group, like the Theravada Buddhists in the case of the Angkor Wat temple), most Hindus continue to consider these temples sacred.

Most of the Hindu temples on the UNESCO World Heritage Site list are dedicated to widely worshiped Hindu deities, Shiva, Vishnu and Shakti, in their varied forms.

The Sun temple (pictured right) in Konark is unique among the World Heritage Site temples in that it is dedicated to Surya, the sun deity. The temple is designed as a chariot drawn by seven horses on 12 pairs of wheels. The spokes of the wheels serve as sundials, and can be used to tell the precise time of day. The Sun temple is one of the most exquisite temples of India, and of this temple, Rabindranath Tagore, the great Indian poet, is believed to have said, "Here the language of stone surpasses the language of man."

Have you been to any of the Hindu temples on the UNESCO World Heritage site list? Do you have a favorite? Share your thoughts and experiences with us in the comments section.

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