Om Namo Narayana

One of the most revered gods in Hindu Trinity is Maha Vishnu and there are numerous temples dedicated to him.

The Trimurthi is made of Brahma the Creator god, Mahavishnu the god of Perseverance, and Shiva the god of Destruction. There are numerous Shiva temples and Vishnu Temples in India but according to Puranas, worship of Brahma was ceased due to a curse, but that's a tale for another day.

As the protector of life and humanity, Vishnu bhagwan is widely worshipped across the world either directly or through his Dasavathars including Lord Rama whose grand Ayodhya Ram Mandir was recently inaugurated and also the evergreen Lord Krishna, perhaps the most venerated deity in Hinduism.

Which are the Dasa Avatars of Maha Vishnu?

Maha Vishnu's Dasavathar, meaning "ten incarnations" are as follows

1. Matsya (the fish)

2. Kurma (the tortoise)

3. Varaha (the boar)

4. Narasimha (the man-lion)

5. Vamana (the dwarf)

6. Parashurama (Warrior with an axe)

7. Rama ( Prince of Ayodhya)

8. Krishna (Prince of Mathura)

9. Buddha (Enlightened one)

10. Kalki (Future avatar yet to come)

There are numerous temples in India dedicated to these Avatars.

As the god of perseverance, Maha Vishnu is associated with Stability, Peace, Being Domicile and ofcourse the celebration of Life. There are multiple majestic towering Mahavishnu temples in India scattered across the subcontinent. These temples are often a source of solace to the devotees and help them attain spiritual tranquillity.

Many of these temples are ancient and were built by powerful dynasties that ruled over vast empires and kingdoms, whereas some of them are more modern.

What are Divya Desams?

Divya Desams are the 108 Vishnu Temples in India that have been mentioned by the Alvars, the much venerated Vaishnavite Tamil poets of 5th Century CE. Some of the temples in our list are Divya Desoms.

Now let us have a look at some of the most popular temples

List of Top 10 Vishnu Temples in India

1. Tirupati Venkateswara Temple, Andhra Pradesh

2. Padmanabhaswamy Temple, Thiruvananthapuram

3. Badrinath Temple, Uttarakhand

4. Ranganathaswamy Temple, Tamil Nadu

5. Dwarkadhish Temple, Gujarat

6. Shri Puri Jagannath Temple, Odisha

7. Guruvayur Temple, Kerala

8. Veeranarayana Temple, Karnataka

9. Vithoba Temple, Maharashtra

10. Navamohana Krishna Temple, Uttar Pradesh

1) Tirupati Venkateswara Temple, Andhra Pradesh

We will start with one of the richest Vishnu temples in India, Tirupati Venkateswara Temple in Andhra Pradesh.

The rhythmic chants of "Govinda Govinda" echo through the corridors, carrying prayers to the heavens of Vaikunda. Nestled amongst the seven Tirumala Hills, the temple is also known as Tirupati Balaji Temple or simply Tirupati Temple to the devotees. It is located in Tirupati city, Chittoor District of Andhra Pradesh which also houses many other temples near to it as well.

It is believed to have been constructed in 300 AD during King Thondaiman's reign. The temple is also considered one of the Swayambhu Varaha Kshetras where lord Vishnu has manifested to safeguard the devotees. It is also one of the 108 Divya Desoms.

You can reach the temple via the nearby Airport, Railway Station or by Bus.

2) Padmanabhaswamy Temple, Thiruvananthapuram

Padmanabhaswamy Temple is known now as the richest temple in India, due to its unmatched treasures locked away in its vaults. Located in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, the temple houses Lord Vishnu in his Anantashayana posture.

The temple has been an integral part of Thiruvananthapuram's history including the royal Family, who are seen as the protectors of the temple. The underground vaults of the temple have been in the news for the past few years due to the extensive wealth accumulated over the decades.

3) Badrinath Temple, Uttarakhand

Badrinath Temple is one of the char dhams and one of the most popular Vishnu temples in India. It is also part of the 108 Divya desoms, and one of the eight svayam vyakta kshetras.

There is a huge number of pilgrims who visit the temple every year. Approximately 18-20 lakh devotees visit Badrinath each year. The temple though in North India, the head priest should always be a Namboothiri Brahmin from Kerala due to the tradition left by Adi Shankaracharya.

4) Ranganathaswamy Temple, Tamil Nadu

Ranganathaswamy Temple is one of the most illustrious and magnificent Vishnu temples in South India. Located in Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, the temple has a great history dating back to Chola King Dharmavarma, and the diety Ranganathan a form of Lord Vishnu has been mentioned in many of the Puranas and also Ramayana and Mahabharatha.

The temple is constructed in the Dravidian Architecture and is spread over 6,795,360 square feet. It has been renovated multiple times over the years. It is also known as Srirangam vishnu temple. And according to the Alvars, it is one of the foremost 108 Divya Desams.

5) Dwarkadhish Temple, Gujarat

The Jagat Mandir or Dwarkadhish Temple is dedicated to lord Krishna, one of the most revered avatars of Maha Vishnu. It is believed to have been constructed by Vajranabh, the great grandson of Krishna over 2500 years ago and reaches a height of 78 metres. It is also one of Char Dham pilgrimage sites sacred to Hinduism. The temple is yet another Divya Desam of Vaishnavites, known as the 98th one.

It is believed that the temple is located on a portion of land reclaimed by Krishna and where Rukmini stood tired while Sage Durvasa cursed the couple for stopping his chariot.

6) Shri Puri Jagannath Temple, Odisha

Puri Jagannath Temple in Orissa perhaps has one of the most iconic and popular architecture, depictions and idols of Maha Vishnu out of all the Maha Vishnu Temples in India. It is both a Char Dham and 108 Abhimana Kshethrams of Vaishnavites. It is believed that King Indradyumna of Avanti of the 6th Century BC had built it, the temple was rebuilt in 10th Century by the Eastern Ganga Dynasty.

The idols of the temple are crafted from wood, unlike its peers. It is believed that Lord Vishnu himself appeared as the carpenter to craft the idols of the temple, and asked the king not to open the doors of the workshop where he was working on the idols. However, the queen got curious why there weren't any sounds coming from inside even after many days and feared the worst. When she opened the door, the carpenter had disappeared and the idols were only half finished. These idols were used for worship, and are replaced 12 or 19 years later by the exact replicas. It is also believed that the heart of Krishna is placed here in the temple. The Puri Jagannath Rath Yatra is also a very famous festival in India.

7) Guruvayur Temple, Kerala

Guruvayur Temple, after Padmanabhaswamy Temple, Thiruvananthapuram is the most famous Vishnu temple in Kerala. The temple's chief deity is fondly called as Guruvayurappan (the Child form of Shri Krishna). It is one of the 108 Abhimana Kshethram and the icon is a four armed Vishnu. Guruvayur Ekadesi is one of the biggest festivals of the temple.

8) Veeranarayana Temple, Karnataka

Located in Belvadi, Chikkamanagluru is one of the classiest Vishnu Temples in India, Veeranaryana Temple. A testament to the Hoysala architecture, the spiritual haven is also is a nationally protected monument. The complex is a trio of temples and the village Belvadi is believed to be the place where Bhima killed Bakasura.

9) Vithoba Temple, Maharashtra

Shri Vitthal Rukmini Mandir or Vithoba Temple is an Indian Vishnu Temple located in Pandharpur, Maharashtra. It is built by Hoysala King Vishnuvardhana around 1152 CE. The temple is dedicated to Vithobha a form of lord Krishna and Vishnu. Vithobha or Panduranga is widely worshipped in Maharashtra. It is one of the Abhimana Kshetrams of Vaishnava traditions.

10) Navamohana Krishna Temple, Uttar Pradesh

Navamohana Krishna Temple also known as Tiruvaipadi is located in Gokul, Mathura, Uttar Pradesh. Gokul in Mathura was where lord Krishna spend his childhood at far from the reaches of his tyrant asura uncle Kamsa. Many of Kannahiya or Krishna's amazingly divine tales unfolded here including Kaliyamardhan. It is one of the 108 Divya Desams.

Each temple, with its unique architecture and timeless rituals, offers a glimpse into the divine realm, reminding us of our eternal connection to the cosmos.

For in the heart of every temple in the list amidst the fragrance of incenses and the glow of diyas, lies eternalessence of life and devotion to Maha Vishnu.

So guys,

These are the most popular of Vishnu temples India. Did we miss out any other popular ones or do you guys need us to add more temples? Do let us know in the comments.