Temples That Are More Than 1000 Years Old in India: Eternal Echoes of Devotion and Divinity
India is not just a country — it’s a living museum of spirituality, where every stone tells a story. Some of the most divine tales are etched into ancient temples that have stood tall for over a thousand years. These temples are not just architectural wonders; they are energy hubs, where the vibrations of centuries of worship still echo.
Let’s take a sacred journey through some of the oldest temples in India — all over 1000 years old, and still very much alive with devotion.
By: Team BookMyPooja
🛕 1. Brihadeeswarar Temple, Tamil Nadu
Location: Thanjavur
Built By: Raja Raja Chola I (1010 AD)
Deity: Lord Shiva
One of the finest examples of Dravidian architecture, this UNESCO World Heritage site is over 1000 years old. The temple is unique for its massive 216-feet Vimana (tower) and a huge Shiva Lingam inside. Despite its age, it still draws thousands of devotees and architecture lovers from across the globe.
🛕 2. Kailasa Temple, Maharashtra
Location: Ellora Caves, Aurangabad
Built By: Rashtrakuta King Krishna I (8th century)
Deity: Lord Shiva
Carved from a single rock, this temple is not built — it is excavated top-down. It’s considered one of the most astonishing feats of ancient engineering. Despite being over 1300 years old, its carvings still hold intricate beauty and spiritual depth.
🛕 3. Shore Temple, Tamil Nadu
Location: Mahabalipuram
Built By: Pallava King Narasimhavarman II (8th century)
Deity: Lord Shiva and Vishnu
Overlooking the Bay of Bengal, this granite temple is one of the oldest stone temples in South India. Even after 1200 years, the sound of waves crashing near this temple gives an otherworldly experience during prayer.
🛕 4. Lingaraja Temple, Odisha
Location: Bhubaneswar
Built By: Somavamsi dynasty (11th century)
Deity: Harihara (combined form of Shiva & Vishnu)
This temple is a blend of Kalinga architecture and spiritual unity. The Lingam here is self-manifested (Swayambhu) and devotees believe that worshipping here brings balance of material and spiritual life.
🛕 5. Kedarnath Temple, Uttarakhand
Estimated Age: Over 1200 years
Deity: Lord Shiva
Believed to have been originally built by the Pandavas and later reconstructed by Adi Shankaracharya around the 8th century, Kedarnath is one of the holiest Jyotirlingas. Despite extreme weather and natural disasters, this temple stands like a miracle amidst the Himalayas.
🛕 6. Konark Sun Temple, Odisha
Built In: 13th century (but with roots believed from 7th–8th century)
Deity: Surya (Sun God)
Famous for its chariot-like structure with 24 wheels and 7 horses, this temple symbolizes the movement of the Sun. Though partially in ruins, the energy and artistic genius is still felt here.
🛕 7. Meenakshi Temple, Tamil Nadu
Location: Madurai
Built By: Initially by Pandya kings (original structure over 2000 years ago, rebuilt in 12th–17th centuries)
Deity: Goddess Meenakshi (Parvati) & Lord Sundareswarar (Shiva)
With 14 towering gopurams and over 33,000 sculptures, this temple is a living city of devotion. The morning rituals, vibrant festivals, and daily pujas reflect centuries of unbroken tradition.
🛕 8. Vishnu Temples of Hampi, Karnataka
Built By: Vijayanagara Empire (14th–15th century, with some shrines over 1000 years old)
Notable Temples: Vittala Temple, Virupaksha Temple
The ancient ruins of Hampi tell tales of a flourishing empire powered by devotion. Virupaksha Temple, especially, is believed to have pre-Vijayanagara roots, with worship continuing unbroken for more than a millennium.
🛕 9. Jagatpita Brahma Temple, Rajasthan
Location: Pushkar
Estimated Age: Reconstructed in 14th century, but believed to be 2000+ years old
Deity: Lord Brahma
One of the very few temples dedicated to Lord Brahma, it is believed the original shrine existed in ancient times. Even today, it’s a must-visit during Kartik Purnima and is considered spiritually powerful.
🛕 10. Kanchi Kailasanathar Temple, Tamil Nadu
Location: Kanchipuram
Built By: Pallava King Rajasimha (early 8th century)
Deity: Lord Shiva
This temple is a masterpiece of early South Indian architecture. It inspired many later temples and is known for its peaceful aura and elaborate sandstone carvings.
🌺 Why These Temples Still Matter in 2025
These temples have survived wars, invasions, earthquakes, and time — not just because of stone, but because of faith. The chants, the lamps, the pilgrims — they keep the divine flame alive.
Even today:
- Rituals are performed daily
- Festivals are celebrated grandly
- Mantras echo through ancient halls
- Devotees feel a spiritual connection that transcends time
🙏 Conclusion: Stones That Speak the Language of the Soul
When you visit these temples, you're not just seeing history — you're stepping into timeless devotion. Every sculpture, every chant, every diya lit here reminds us that the divine is eternal.
These temples are not about the past — they are about keeping the soul of India alive in the present and future.
