The Ultimate Guide to 15 Famous Temples in Delhi: Peaceful Vibes, Stunning Architecture and Divine Beauty

A Complete Guide to 15 Must-Visit Temples in Delhi

Delhi, the vibrant heart of India, is not just the nation’s cultural and political capital but also a spiritual haven. The city is home to some of the most iconic and revered temples in India, each one showcasing centuries of devotion, intricate craftsmanship, historical significance and architectural excellence. Whether you’re a spiritual seeker, architecture enthusiast, or a curious traveller, these sacred sites offer a unique blend of spirituality, architectural grandeur, and cultural heritage, providing a rare glimpse into Delhi’s rich religious and artistic legacy.

Here’s a curated list of 15 famous temples in Delhi that are celebrated for their spiritual significance and architectural beauty—must-visit destinations for anyone wanting to discover the divine and artistic spirit of Delhi, offering a unique opportunity to experience the city’s spiritual essence and architectural brilliance.

1. Akshardham Temple

• Deity: Bhagwan Swaminarayan
• Location: NH 24, Akshardham Setu, New Delhi
• Nearest Metro Station: Akshardham Metro Station (Blue Line)
• Known for: World’s largest Hindu temple complex.

• Highlights: Akshardham features a mesmerizing musical fountain show, Intricate carvings, immersive cultural exhibitions, and a spiritually enriching ambiance that attracts millions of visitors annually.
• Architecture: Built using intricately carved pink sandstone and white marble, the temple blends traditional Indian architectural styles with modern engineering.
• Special Note: A must-visit Delhi landmark that beautifully unites devotion, art, and India’s timeless cultural heritage.

2. Lotus Temple

• Faith: Bahá’í
• Location: Near Nehru Place, South Delhi
• Nearest Metro Station: Kalkaji Mandir Metro Station (Violet Line and the Magenta Line)
• Known for: One of the most visited spiritual sites in the world

• Highlights: Open to people of all religions and faiths. Lotus Temple serves as a serene space for meditation, reflection, and inner peace. Its welcoming, inclusive philosophy makes it a symbol of unity and harmony.
• Architecture: Shaped like a blooming lotus, this iconic white marble structure is a masterpiece of modern architecture, designed by Iranian architect Fariborz Sahba.
• Special Note: A global architectural marvel and a peaceful retreat in the heart of Delhi, promoting the Bahá’í ideals of oneness and universal peace.

3. Chhatarpur Temple

• Deity: Goddess Katyayani
• Location: Chhatarpur, South Delhi
• Nearest Metro Station: Chhatarpur Metro Station (Yellow Line)
• Known for: Second-largest temple complex in Delhi

• Highlights: The temple comes alive during Navratri, attracting thousands of devotees. It’s known for its peaceful surroundings, spiritual atmosphere, and beautifully maintained premises.
• Architecture: A stunning fusion of North and South Indian temple architecture, featuring intricate jaali (lattice) work and sprawling courtyards.
• Special Note: A serene spiritual destination offering a blend of tradition and grandeur, especially vibrant during Hindu festivals.

4. Birla Mandir (Laxminarayan Temple)

• Deities: Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi
• Location: Mandir Marg, Near Connaught Place, New Delhi
• Nearest Metro Station: Rajiv Chowk Metro Station (Yellow line and Blue Lines)
• Known for: Built by the Birla family, the temple is one of Delhi’s most revered places of worship

• Highlights: The temple is known for its lush gardens, tranquil fountains, and serene atmosphere, providing a peaceful escape in the city.
• Architecture: Built in the Nagara style, the temple features intricate stone carvings, elegant domes, and stunning frescoes that showcase traditional Indian artistry.
• Special Note: A perfect blend of spirituality and beauty, the temple is a must-visit for both devotees and architecture enthusiasts.

5. ISKCON Temple

• Deity: Lord Krishna
• Location: Hare Krishna Hills, East of Kailash, New Delhi
• Nearest Metro Station: Kailash Colony Metro Station (Violet Line)
• Known for: A vibrant hub of devotion and cultural exchange

• Highlights: The temple is renowned for its soulful kirtans, a spiritual museum, and the famous Govinda’s vegetarian restaurant, offering a complete spiritual experience.
• Architecture: A modern temple design featuring red sandstone and beautiful spiritual-themed murals that enhance the serene atmosphere.
• Special Note: A serene escape for both spiritual seekers and food lovers, ISKCON is a symbol of devotion, peace, and community.

6. Jagannath Temple

• Deities: Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra
• Location: Hauz Khas, New Delhi
• Nearest Metro Station: Hauz Khas Metro Station (Yellow Line and the Magenta Line )
• Known for: The annual Rath Yatra, attracting large crowds and celebrating the deities’ procession

• Highlights: A vibrant center for Delhi’s Oriya community, the temple comes alive during the Rath Yatra festival and is a hub for cultural and spiritual activities.
• Architecture: The temple’s design is inspired by the famous Jagannath Temple in Puri, with a modest yet graceful Odia architectural style.
• Special Note: A key spiritual site for devotees of Lord Jagannath, offering a peaceful ambiance and a deep sense of community.

7. Kalkaji Temple

• Deity: Goddess Kali
• Location: Kalkaji, near Nehru Place, New Delhi
• Nearest Metro Station: Kalkaji Mandir Metro Station (Violet Line and the Magenta Line )
• Known for: An ancient pilgrimage site with a deep spiritual significance

• Highlights: The temple is especially popular during Navratri when it is thronged by devotees seeking blessings. It remains a powerful spiritual hub throughout the year.
• Architecture: A traditional North Indian temple featuring a spiritually charged black stone idol of Goddess Kali, exuding an aura of devotion and strength.
• Special Note: A revered site for devotees of Goddess Kali, offering an enriching experience of spirituality and heritage.

8. Sri Digambar Jain Lal Mandir

• Deity: Lord Parshvanath (23rd Tirthankara)
• Location: Opposite Red Fort, Chandni Chowk, New Delhi
• Nearest Metro Station: Chandni Chowk Metro Station (Yellow Line)
• Known for: Delhi’s oldest Jain temple, with a distinctive bird hospital

• Highlights: The temple is famous for its serene ambiance and its unique bird hospital that rehabilitates injured birds, reflecting the Jain principle of ahimsa (non-violence).
• Architecture: Built in red sandstone, the temple features intricate carvings and peaceful courtyards, offering a tranquil environment for reflection and prayer.
• Special Note: A historically significant temple, offering a unique spiritual experience and an opportunity to witness Jain compassion in action.

9. Gauri Shankar Temple

• Deity: Lord Shiva
• Location: Chandni Chowk, near Digambar Jain Lal Mandir, New Delhi
• Nearest Metro Station: Chandni Chowk Metro Station (Yellow Line)
• Known for: Home to an 800-year-old Shivalingam, making it a revered heritage site

• Highlights: The temple is famous for its ancient Shivalingam and is a prominent place of worship for devotees of Lord Shiva, attracting visitors seeking blessings and spiritual solace.
• Architecture: A traditional Hindu temple design with ornate interiors and beautifully crafted shrines, creating a peaceful atmosphere for worship and meditation.
• Special Note: A historic and sacred site, the Gauri Shankar Temple remains a cornerstone of spirituality and heritage in Old Delhi.

10. Yogmaya Temple

• Deity: Goddess Yogmaya (sister of Lord Krishna)
• Location: Mehrauli, near Qutub Minar, New Delhi
• Nearest Metro Station: Qutub Minar Metro Station (Yellow Line)
• Known for: Believed to be over 5,000 years old, making it one of the oldest temples in Delhi

• Highlights: The temple hosts the annual Phool Walon Ki Sair festival, a vibrant celebration of flowers, devotion, and culture, attracting thousands of visitors.
• Architecture: An ancient, simple structure that radiates spiritual antiquity, with a serene atmosphere that offers a deep connection to its rich history.
• Special Note: A revered site for devotees, the Yogmaya Temple’s historical significance and peaceful ambiance make it a must-visit in the Mehrauli area.

11. Kali Bari Temple

• Deity: Goddess Kali
• Location: Mandir Marg, near Birla Mandir, New Delhi
• Nearest Metro Station: R.K. Ashram Marg Metro Station (Blue Line)
• Known for: A spiritual and cultural hub for Delhi’s Bengali community

• Highlights: Renowned for its grand Durga Puja celebrations, the temple is a vibrant center of devotion and cultural activity, especially during festivals.
• Architecture: Built in traditional Bengal-style, the temple features a simple yet elegant sanctum and prayer halls that reflect regional spiritual aesthetics.
• Special Note: A lively and sacred space, Kali Bari Temple is deeply rooted in Bengali traditions and offers an authentic festive experience in the heart of Delhi.

12. Nili Chhatri Temple

• Deity: Lord Shiva
• Location: Near Nigambodh Ghat, Yamuna River, New Delhi
• Nearest Metro Station: Civil Lines Metro Station (Yellow Line)
• Known for: Mythical connections to the Mahabharata and Yudhishthira

• Highlights: The temple is steeped in historical and mythological significance, with ties to the Mahabharata and the legendary Pandava king Yudhishthira.
• Architecture: The temple features a distinctive blue-domed structure, known as the “Nili Chhatri,” making it a unique and historically rich site.
• Special Note: A lesser-known yet intriguing temple, it draws visitors with its deep spiritual lore and peaceful riverside setting.

13. Uttara Swami Malai Mandir (Malai Mandir)

• Deity: Lord Murugan (Swaminatha)
• Location: Palam Marg, RK Puram, New Delhi
• Nearest Metro Station: Munirka Metro Station (Magenta Line)
• Known for: A prominent Tamil-style temple in Delhi

• Highlights: The temple is famous for celebrating major South Indian festivals, including Thaipusam and Skanda Shasthi, drawing large crowds of devotees.
• Architecture: A Dravidian-style temple with towering gopurams and intricate granite sculptures, reflecting the grandeur of South Indian temple architecture.
• Special Note: A cultural hub for the Tamil community in Delhi, Malai Mandir offers a spiritual experience enriched by South Indian traditions and vibrant festivals.

14. Bhairav Temple (Sri Kilkari Bhairav)

• Deity: Lord Bhairav (form of Shiva)
• Location: Near Pragati Maidan and Purana Qila, New Delhi
• Nearest Metro Station: Pragati Maidan Metro Station (Blue Line)
• Known for: Believed to have been established by the Pandavas, adding to its historical and mythical significance

• Highlights: The temple is famous for its unique offerings, including milk and alcohol, symbolizing devotion and appeasement of Lord Bhairav.
• Architecture: The temple features an ancient design with twin shrines—Kilkari Bhairav and Doodhiya Bhairav—each with distinct rituals and significance.
• Special Note: A lesser-known but deeply revered temple, it offers a unique blend of spiritual tradition and historical lore, making it a hidden gem in Delhi.

15. Ahinsa Sthal (Jain Temple)

• Deity: Lord Mahavira (24th Tirthankara of Jainism)
• Location: Mehrauli, near Qutub Minar, New Delhi
• Nearest Metro Station: Qutub Minar Metro Station (Yellow Line)
• Known for: A peaceful hilltop sanctuary ideal for meditation

• Highlights: The temple features a stunning 13-foot granite statue of Lord Mahavira, offering a serene environment for reflection and spiritual growth.
• Architecture: Built in minimalist Jain style, the temple is surrounded by beautifully landscaped gardens, creating a tranquil and meditative atmosphere.
• Special Note: A quiet, lesser-known gem in Delhi, Ahinsa Sthal provides a perfect retreat for those seeking peace and spiritual solace.

Conclusion:

From the serene Lotus Temple to the grand Akshardham Temple, Delhi represents the soul of India’s spiritual and cultural diversity. Whether you’re a pilgrim, an architecture lover, or a curious traveler, each of these temples offers a unique window into the city’s timeless devotion.