The world is a vast, beautiful place. For those out there struggling with existentialism issues (I completely get it, by the way), you don’t need to go that far and say that we’re tiny and insignificant in the infinity of the universe. We’re just as small and puny in our own world, too! But fear not, this article is actually supposed to induce a positive tone. Since Earth is so big, this also means that are are many corners of the world that have yet to be visited and explored. And I’m not talking about taking a trip into the unknown abyss that is the core of the Earth, but about booking a ticket to an Asian country and visiting one of the 15 Most Beautiful Temples In Asia.
1. Paro Taktsang Monastery
Location: Bhutan
Founded in: 8th century
Despite technically being founded as a meditation temple in the 8th century, its first monastery annex was built in the 17th century, near the cave where it’s said that Guru Padmasambhava meditated for three years, three months, three weeks and three days.
2. Kinkaku-ji
Location: Japan
Founded in: 14th century
The literal translation of the name means “Temple of the Golden Pavilion,” something sustained by its design. The temple is located in Kyoto, known to be an oasis for the most important halidoms in the Nippon area.
3. Borobudur Temple
Location: Indonesia
Founded in: 8th – 9th century
More than being one of the most beautiful temples in Asia, Borobudur is also one of the oldest and the largest temple in the world, with its central dome containing 72 Buddha statues with 2,672 relief panels and 504 Buddha statues around the premises.
4. Sri Sivan Temple
Location: Singapore
Founded in: 19th century
Initially present in Potong Pasir, the temple, which is a place of daily prayers towards Shiva, now resides in Geylang. Although it’s one of the more newly built temples, it’s equally stunning and extravagant.
5. Padmanabhaswamy Temple
Location: India
Founded in: 16th century
This temple is as glamorous as the kings that built it. Not only is it one of the most beautiful temples in Asia, it also holds an official Guinness Book Record for being the richest temple in the world, going by the quantity and quality of the gold and precious stones decorating it.
6. Virupaksha Temple
Location: Bangalore
Founded in: 7th century
When the temple was built all the way in the 7th century, it was initially a small construction that was meant to venerate the god Shiva, known there as Virupaksha, consort of local goddess Pampa. Over the centuries, though, it grew in proportions and turned into the spectacular building we see today.
7. Sanctuary of Truth
Location: Thailand
Founded in: 20th century
For a temple, the Sanctuary of Truth definitely comes off as a bit… threatening. This is probably what the Iron Throne would look like, in an alternate universe where it’s actually a Buddhist and Hindu temple. It’s one of the newest constructions on our list, since it’s still under construction, with a due date in 2050.
8. Yonghe Temple
Location: China
Founded in: 17th century
The temple, more popularly known as the Lama Temple, has traversed quite a few moments since the beginning of its construction during the Qing Dinasty. Initially meant to host eunuchs serving the emperor, it then became the court of Yin Zhen, son of Kangxi Emperor, and it eventually was opened for public display, as a temple.
9. Sri Senpaga Vinayagar
Location: Singapore
Founded in: 19th century
The temple was built around 1850, initially taking on a modest shape. It gets its name from the Lord Vinayagar, whose statue was discovered near the shore the temple was eventually constructed on. These days, it’s a luxurious shrine dedicated to Hindu god Ganesha, and one of the most beautiful temples in Asia.
10. Angkor Wat
Location: Cambodia
Founded in: 12th century
Angkor Wat was initially built by the Khmer King Suryavarman II as a Hindu temple for the Khmer Empire, having been converted towards the end of the 12th century into a Buddhist temple. In our days, it holds the title of the largest religious monument in the world, measuring 162.6 hectares.
11. Temple of Bacchus
Location: Lebanon
Founded in: 2nd century
If you’re thinking that the architecture of this temple doesn’t exactly reek of Asian culture, then that’s because it was built by the Romans as a tribute to the wine god, Bacchus. It’s one of the best preserved Roman construction today, being considered a World Heritage site.
12. Lotus Temple
Location: India
Founded in: 20th century
Another contemporary sacred construction, the Lotus Temple takes its name from the shape that manages to give it a modern air. It’s one of the most profitable attractions in New Delhi, having earned since its opening numerous architectural awards and over 70 million visitors from all around the world.
13. Wat Rong Khun
Location: Thailand
Founded in: 20th century
Take one look at the picture and you’ll be able to see why Wat Rong Khun is more commonly known worldwide as The White Temple. However, this isn’t how it’s always looked. The original temple was near collapsing near the end of the 20th century, when a private investor decided to fund its renovations. Today, it’s displayed to the world as both a Buddhist temple and a host for various art exhibitions.
14. Shwedagon Pagoda
Location: Myanmar
Founded in: 6th century
At 325 feet tall, the “Great Dagon Pagoda” as it’s literally translated to, is as mighty as it is glamorous. It was built by the Mon people, on a foundation of bricks coated in gold plates, and it was furnished by thousands of diamonds and rubies all over its exterior.
15. Pura Ulun Danu Bratan
Location: Indonesia
Founded in: 17th century
For a construction with such a complex name, it’s probably one of the more modest looking entries on our list. This water temple stands on a patch of land, surrounded Lake Bratan, in Bali. It was built in order to honor the river and lake goddess Dewi Danu.
Now, I don’t know about you, but my appetite for traveling has grown immensely upon (virtually) visiting these incredible places. Nature is certainly amazing, but some of the things can are crafted from the hands of a human are just as mind blowing, just like the 15 Most Beautiful Temples In Asia.
Image sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15.