around the world
Temples of the World
Turn the glowing globe and tap a light to meet a famous Hindu, Buddhist or Jain temple. There are 74 hand-picked temples in 28 countries.
These are hand-picked, famous temples, not a ranking. Marker positions are approximate; the Google Maps link goes to the exact place. For ratings in a city, use the Temple Finder.
All the temples on the globe
India (3)
- Meenakshi Amman Temple · Hindu · Madurai
Famed for its colourful, towering gateways and its long temple history.
Open in Google Maps - Kashi Vishwanath Temple · Hindu · Varanasi
One of the most revered Shiva temples, close to the river Ganga.
Open in Google Maps - Mahabodhi Temple · Buddhist · Bodh Gaya
Where the Buddha is traditionally said to have attained enlightenment.
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Nepal (3)
- Pashupatinath Temple · Hindu · Kathmandu
A major Shiva temple on the banks of the Bagmati river.
Open in Google Maps - Boudhanath Stupa · Buddhist · Kathmandu
One of the largest stupas in the world and a centre of Tibetan Buddhism.
Open in Google Maps - Maya Devi Temple · Buddhist · Lumbini
Marks the traditional birthplace of the Buddha.
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Sri Lanka (3)
- Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic · Buddhist · Kandy
Holds a relic traditionally said to be a tooth of the Buddha.
Open in Google Maps - Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil · Hindu · Jaffna
The most important Hindu temple of Jaffna, dedicated to Murugan.
Open in Google Maps - Ruwanwelisaya · Buddhist · Anuradhapura
A great white stupa in one of the island's ancient capitals.
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Bhutan (3)
- Paro Taktsang (Tiger's Nest) · Buddhist · Paro
A monastery clinging to a cliff high above the Paro valley.
Open in Google Maps - Kyichu Lhakhang · Buddhist · Paro
One of the oldest temples in Bhutan.
Open in Google Maps - Chimi Lhakhang · Buddhist · Punakha
A small, much-loved temple among the rice fields of Punakha.
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Bangladesh (2)
- Dhakeshwari National Temple · Hindu · Dhaka
The national Hindu temple of Bangladesh.
Open in Google Maps - Somapura Mahavihara · Buddhist · Paharpur
The ruins of a great ancient Buddhist monastery.
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Pakistan (3)
- Katas Raj Temples · Hindu · Chakwal
An old complex of temples around a sacred pool.
Open in Google Maps - Hinglaj Mata Mandir · Hindu · Balochistan
A remote Hindu pilgrimage site in a desert gorge.
Open in Google Maps - Dharmarajika Stupa · Buddhist · Taxila
Ancient Buddhist remains near Taxila.
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Thailand (3)
- Wat Arun · Buddhist · Bangkok
The Temple of Dawn, with its tall tower beside the Chao Phraya river.
Open in Google Maps - Wat Phra That Doi Suthep · Buddhist · Chiang Mai
A golden temple on a mountain above Chiang Mai.
Open in Google Maps - Wat Pho · Buddhist · Bangkok
Home of the giant reclining Buddha.
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Cambodia (3)
- Angkor Wat · Hindu · Siem Reap
The largest religious monument in the world, built as a Hindu temple.
Open in Google Maps - Bayon Temple · Buddhist · Angkor Thom
Known for its many stone faces.
Open in Google Maps - Ta Prohm · Buddhist · Angkor
A temple wrapped in the roots of giant trees.
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Vietnam (3)
- One Pillar Pagoda · Buddhist · Hanoi
A small, famous pagoda standing on a single pillar in a pond.
Open in Google Maps - Thien Mu Pagoda · Buddhist · Hue
A seven-storey pagoda beside the Perfume River.
Open in Google Maps - My Son Sanctuary · Hindu · Quang Nam
Ruins of Hindu temples built by the Cham people.
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Laos (3)
- Pha That Luang · Buddhist · Vientiane
The golden national symbol of Laos.
Open in Google Maps - Wat Xieng Thong · Buddhist · Luang Prabang
A beautiful royal temple of Luang Prabang.
Open in Google Maps - Wat Phou · Hindu · Champasak
A ruined Khmer temple complex on a mountain slope.
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Myanmar (3)
- Shwedagon Pagoda · Buddhist · Yangon
A huge golden pagoda that glows over Yangon.
Open in Google Maps - Ananda Temple · Buddhist · Bagan
A graceful white temple in the plain of Bagan.
Open in Google Maps - Mahamuni Buddha Temple · Buddhist · Mandalay
Home of a revered Buddha image covered in gold leaf.
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Indonesia (3)
- Borobudur · Buddhist · Magelang, Java
The largest Buddhist monument in the world.
Open in Google Maps - Prambanan · Hindu · Yogyakarta, Java
A grand 9th-century Hindu temple complex.
Open in Google Maps - Pura Besakih · Hindu · Bali
The "Mother Temple" of Bali, on the slopes of Mount Agung.
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Malaysia (3)
- Batu Caves · Hindu · Kuala Lumpur
A cave temple reached by 272 colourful steps.
Open in Google Maps - Kek Lok Si Temple · Buddhist · Penang
A large hillside Buddhist temple complex.
Open in Google Maps - Sri Mahamariamman Temple · Hindu · Kuala Lumpur
The oldest Hindu temple in Kuala Lumpur.
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Singapore (3)
- Sri Mariamman Temple · Hindu · Singapore
The oldest Hindu temple in Singapore, in Chinatown.
Open in Google Maps - Buddha Tooth Relic Temple · Buddhist · Singapore
A tall temple in the Tang style, in Chinatown.
Open in Google Maps - Sri Veeramakaliamman Temple · Hindu · Singapore
A long-standing temple in Little India.
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Japan (3)
- Kinkaku-ji · Buddhist · Kyoto
The Golden Pavilion, shining beside its pond.
Open in Google Maps - Todai-ji · Buddhist · Nara
Home of a giant bronze Buddha inside a huge wooden hall.
Open in Google Maps - Senso-ji · Buddhist · Tokyo
Tokyo's oldest temple, in the Asakusa district.
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South Korea (3)
- Bulguksa · Buddhist · Gyeongju
A graceful temple of the ancient Silla kingdom.
Open in Google Maps - Haeinsa · Buddhist · Hapcheon
Keeps the famous Tripitaka Koreana wooden printing blocks.
Open in Google Maps - Jogyesa · Buddhist · Seoul
The main temple of Korean Seon Buddhism, in central Seoul.
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China (3)
- Potala Palace · Buddhist · Lhasa
A great hilltop palace and temple, long the home of the Dalai Lamas.
Open in Google Maps - Shaolin Temple · Buddhist · Dengfeng
The famous temple of Chan Buddhism.
Open in Google Maps - Lingyin Temple · Buddhist · Hangzhou
One of the largest and oldest temples in China.
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Taiwan (2)
- Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum · Buddhist · Kaohsiung
A modern monastery with a very large Buddha statue.
Open in Google Maps - Chung Tai Chan Monastery · Buddhist · Puli
A very tall, modern Buddhist monastery.
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Hong Kong (2)
- Tian Tan Buddha (Po Lin Monastery) · Buddhist · Lantau Island
A big bronze Buddha on a hilltop.
Open in Google Maps - Chi Lin Nunnery · Buddhist · Kowloon
A peaceful nunnery built in the Tang dynasty style.
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Mongolia (2)
- Gandan Monastery · Buddhist · Ulaanbaatar
The main centre of Buddhism in Mongolia.
Open in Google Maps - Erdene Zuu Monastery · Buddhist · Kharkhorin
One of the oldest Buddhist monasteries in Mongolia.
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Mauritius (2)
- Ganga Talao · Hindu · Grand Bassin
A sacred crater lake with temples and tall statues.
Open in Google Maps - Maheswarnath Mandir · Hindu · Triolet
One of the best-known Hindu temples in Mauritius.
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South Africa (2)
- Shree Ambalavaanar Alayam · Hindu · Durban
A historic Tamil temple in Durban.
Open in Google Maps - Hare Krishna Temple of Understanding · Hindu · Durban
A large temple in the Chatsworth area of Durban.
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Kenya (2)
- BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir · Hindu · Nairobi
A Swaminarayan temple in Nairobi.
Open in Google Maps - Oshwal Jain Temple · Jain · Nairobi
A Jain temple serving the community in Nairobi.
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United Kingdom (3)
- BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir (Neasden Temple) · Hindu · London
A famous carved stone and marble temple in north-west London.
Open in Google Maps - Bhaktivedanta Manor · Hindu · Watford
A Krishna temple in the English countryside.
Open in Google Maps - Jain Centre Leicester · Jain · Leicester
A well-known Jain temple in the English Midlands.
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United States (3)
- BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir · Hindu · Robbinsville, New Jersey
A large traditional stone temple in New Jersey.
Open in Google Maps - Hsi Lai Temple · Buddhist · Hacienda Heights, California
One of the largest Buddhist temples in the Western Hemisphere.
Open in Google Maps - Sri Venkateswara Temple · Hindu · Pittsburgh
One of the earliest large Hindu temples in the United States.
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Canada (2)
- BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir · Hindu · Toronto
A grand carved stone temple near Toronto.
Open in Google Maps - International Buddhist Temple · Buddhist · Richmond, British Columbia
A large temple in the Chinese style near Vancouver.
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Australia (2)
- Sri Venkateswara Temple · Hindu · Helensburgh, New South Wales
A large South Indian style temple near Sydney.
Open in Google Maps - Nan Tien Temple · Buddhist · Wollongong, New South Wales
The largest Buddhist temple in the Southern Hemisphere.
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United Arab Emirates (2)
- BAPS Hindu Mandir · Hindu · Abu Dhabi
A large pink sandstone and marble temple opened in 2024.
Open in Google Maps - Shiva and Krishna Temples · Hindu · Bur Dubai, Dubai
Long-standing temples in the old part of Dubai.
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