oldest Vishnu temples in India



 Vishnu is one of the most important deities in Hinduism and is worshipped in various forms across India. Temples dedicated to Vishnu are found all over the country, and some of them have a rich history dating back several centuries. Determining the oldest Vishnu temple is a challenging task as many temples have been destroyed and rebuilt over time, and there is often a lack of reliable historical records. However, based on available evidence and historical accounts, it is possible to identify some of the oldest Vishnu temples in India.






detail list of the oldest Vishnu temple

Here is a detailed list of some of the oldest Vishnu temples in India, in no particular order:

  1. Kanchipuram Varadharaja Perumal Temple - Tamil Nadu

  2. Srirangam Ranganathaswamy Temple - Tamil Nadu

  3. Thiruvananthapuram Padmanabhaswamy Temple - Kerala

  4. Tirumala Venkateswara Temple - Andhra Pradesh

  5. Badrinath Temple - Uttarakhand

  6. Jagannath Temple - Odisha

  7. Pandharpur Vithoba Temple - Maharashtra

  8. Sreevilliputhur Andal Temple - Tamil Nadu

  9. Srimushnam Bhoovaraha Swamy Temple - Tamil Nadu

  10. Chennakesava Temple, Belur - Karnataka

  11. Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Temple, Nuggehalli - Karnataka

  12. Nachiar Koil Temple - Tamil Nadu

  13. Udupi Sri Krishna Temple - Karnataka

  14. Harshat Mata Temple - Gujarat

  15. Dehotsarg Teerth - Uttar Pradesh

It should be noted that determining the exact age of these temples is often difficult, and there may be other temples that are equally ancient or even older. However, these temples have a rich history and are considered among the most significant Vishnu temples in India.


  1. Kanchipuram Varadharaja Perumal Temple





Located in the town of Kanchipuram in Tamil Nadu, the Varadharaja Perumal Temple is one of the oldest Vishnu temples in India. It is believed to have been built during the reign of the Pallava dynasty in the 7th century CE, and was later expanded and renovated by various rulers. The temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu in his Varadharaja form, and is considered one of the 108 Divya Desams or sacred abodes of Vishnu. The temple has several inscriptions and carvings that provide insights into the temple's history and its significance in the Hindu tradition.

2) Srirangam Ranganathaswamy Temple

The Ranganathaswamy Temple in Srirangam, Tamil Nadu, is another ancient temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The temple is located on an island in the Cauvery river and is one of the largest temple complexes in India. The temple is believed to have been built in the 10th century CE by the Chola dynasty, and was later expanded and renovated by various rulers. The temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu in his Ranganatha form, and is considered one of the 108 Divya Desams. The temple has a rich history and is known for its exquisite architecture and intricate carvings.


  1. Thiruvananthapuram Padmanabhaswamy Temple

The Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, is an ancient temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu in his Anantha Padmanabha form. The temple is located in the heart of the city and is known for its stunning architecture and intricate carvings. The temple is believed to have been built in the 8th century CE by the rulers of the Chera dynasty, and was later expanded and renovated by various rulers. The temple is one of the 108 Divya Desams and is known for its religious significance and cultural heritage.


4)Tirumala Venkateswara Temple




The Venkateswara Temple in Tirumala, Andhra Pradesh, is one of the most visited temples in India and is dedicated to Lord Vishnu in his Venkateswara form. The temple is located on the seven hills of Tirumala and is considered one of the 108 Divya Desams. The temple is believed to have been built in the 12th century CE by the rulers of the Vijayanagara empire, and was later expanded and renovated by various rulers. The temple is known for its stunning architecture and intricate carvings, as well as its religious significance and cultural heritage.


5)Badrinath Temple




The Badrinath Temple in Uttarakhand, located in the Himalayas, is an ancient temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu in his Badri form. The temple is one of the four sacred Char Dham pilgrimage sites in India and is believed to have been built in the 8th century CE by Adi Shankara, a prominent Hindu philosopher, and saint. The temple has been destroyed and rebuilt several times over the centuries, and the current temple was built in



6) The Jagannath Temple 


The Jagannath Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Jagannath, a form of Lord Vishnu, located in the city of Puri in the eastern state of Odisha, India. The temple is one of the most famous and revered pilgrimage sites in India, attracting millions of visitors each year.

The temple is believed to have been built in the 12th century by the ruler Anantavarman Chodaganga Deva, and has since undergone several renovations and additions. The temple complex is vast and includes several smaller temples, courtyards, and a large kitchen that serves food to thousands of pilgrims every day.

The temple is known for its stunning architecture and intricate carvings, particularly on the gopuram or temple tower. The main temple houses statues of Lord Jagannath, his siblings Balabhadra and Subhadra, and the Sudarshan Chakra.

The most significant festival associated with the temple is the Rath Yatra, a massive procession in which the idols of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra are carried on elaborately decorated chariots through the streets of Puri. The Rath Yatra attracts millions of devotees from all over the world and is considered one of the largest religious festivals in the world.


7) Pandharpur Vithoba Temple, 




Pandharpur Vithoba Temple,  also known as Vitthal Rukmini Temple, is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Vitthal or Vithoba, a form of Lord Vishnu, located in the town of Pandharpur in the Solapur district of Maharashtra, India. The temple is one of the most famous pilgrimage sites in Maharashtra and is considered one of the six abodes of Lord Vithoba.

The temple is believed to have been built in the 13th century by the Maratha saint and poet, Sant Dnyaneshwar. It has undergone several renovations and additions over the centuries, and the current temple complex is a vast structure that includes several smaller temples, courtyards, and a large kitchen that serves food to thousands of pilgrims every day.

The main temple houses the idols of Lord Vitthal and his consort Rukmini, which are believed to have been self-manifested. The temple is known for its beautiful architecture and intricate carvings, particularly on the temple tower or shikhara.

The most significant festival associated with the temple is the Ashadi Ekadashi, which is celebrated with great fervor and attracts millions of devotees from all over India. During the festival, the idols of Lord Vitthal and Rukmini are taken out in a procession on a palanquin and brought to Pandharpur from their original abode at the nearby temple of Lord Vitthal in the village of Vitthalwadi. The festival is marked by devotional singing, feasting, and various other cultural events.


8) Sreevilliputhur Andal Temple


Sreevilliputhur Andal Temple, also known as Sri Andal Temple, is a Hindu temple dedicated to Goddess Andal, an incarnation of Goddess Lakshmi and a poet-saint of the Vaishnavite tradition, located in the town of Sreevilliputhur in the Virudhunagar district of Tamil Nadu, India. The temple is one of the 108 Divya Desams, which are considered to be the holiest abodes of Lord Vishnu.

The temple is believed to have been built in the 9th century by the Pandyan king, Varaguna Pandian, and has undergone several renovations and additions over the centuries. The temple complex is a vast structure that includes several smaller temples, courtyards, and a large tank.

The main temple houses the idols of Goddess Andal, Lord Ranganatha, and Goddess Sridevi and Bhudevi. The idol of Andal is adorned with garlands of flowers and silk clothes every day, and the temple is known for its beautiful architecture and intricate carvings.

The most significant festival associated with the temple is the Pagal Pathu and Rapathu, which are celebrated during the Tamil month of Margazhi (December-January) and mark the 10-day period of Andal's marriage with Lord Ranganatha. The festival is marked by devotional singing, recitation of the Tiruppavai and other hymns, and various other cultural events. The temple also holds an annual car festival in which the idol of Andal is taken out in a procession on a chariot.


Sreevilliputhur Andal Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Goddess Andal, located in the town of Sreevilliputhur in the Virudhunagar district of Tamil Nadu, India. The temple is one of the 108 Divya Desams, which are considered to be the holiest abodes of Lord Vishnu.

The temple is believed to have been built in the 9th century by the Pandyan king, Varaguna Pandian, and has undergone several renovations and additions over the centuries. The temple complex is a vast structure that includes several smaller temples, courtyards, and a large tank.

The main temple houses the idols of Goddess Andal, Lord Ranganatha, and Goddess Sridevi and Bhudevi. The idol of Andal is adorned with garlands of flowers and silk clothes every day, and the temple is known for its beautiful architecture and intricate carvings.

The temple is dedicated to Andal, who is considered an incarnation of Goddess Lakshmi and a poet-saint of the Vaishnavite tradition. Andal is known for her devotion to Lord Vishnu and is said to have composed several hymns and poems in praise of him, including the Tiruppavai and the Nachiyar Thirumozhi.

The most significant festival associated with the temple is the Pagal Pathu and Rapathu, which are celebrated during the Tamil month of Margazhi (December-January) and mark the 10-day period of Andal's marriage with Lord Ranganatha. The festival is marked by devotional singing, recitation of the Tiruppavai and other hymns, and various other cultural events. The temple also holds an annual car festival in which the idol of Andal is taken out in a procession on a chariot.


9) Srimushnam Bhoovaraha Swamy Temple

Srimushnam Bhoovaraha Swamy Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Bhoovaraha Swamy, a form of Lord Vishnu, located in the town of Srimushnam in the Cuddalore district of Tamil Nadu, India. The temple is one of the 108 Divya Desams, which are considered to be the holiest abodes of Lord Vishnu.

The temple is believed to have been built during the reign of the Chola dynasty and has undergone several renovations and additions over the centuries. The temple complex is a vast structure that includes several smaller temples, courtyards, and a large tank.

The main temple houses the idol of Lord Bhoovaraha Swamy, who is depicted with the head of a boar and the body of a human. The idol is believed to have been self-manifested and is considered one of the most powerful and sacred forms of Lord Vishnu.

The temple is known for its beautiful architecture and intricate carvings, particularly on the temple tower or gopuram. The temple is also famous for its annual chariot festival, which is celebrated during the Tamil month of Vaikasi (May-June) and attracts thousands of devotees from all over Tamil Nadu. During the festival, the idol of Lord Bhoovaraha Swamy is taken out in a procession on a grand chariot, and the event is marked by devotional singing, feasting, and various other cultural events.

The temple is also associated with several legends and stories from Hindu mythology, including the story of Lord Vishnu's incarnation as Bhoovaraha to rescue the earth from the demon Hiranyaksha. The temple is considered a significant pilgrimage site for Vaishnavites and is believed to bestow blessings and fulfill the wishes of its devotees.


10) The Chennakesava Temple  


The Chennakesava Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu, located in the town of Belur in the Hassan district of Karnataka, India. The temple was built in the 12th century by the Hoysala Empire and is known for its exquisite architecture and intricate carvings, which make it one of the finest examples of Hoysala architecture. The temple is a UNESCO World Heritage site and is considered a significant pilgrimage site for Vaishnavites.


11)Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Temple, Nuggehalli - Karnataka:


The Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Narasimha, a form of Lord Vishnu, located in the town of Nuggehalli in the Hassan district of Karnataka, India. The temple was built in the 13th century by the Hoysala Empire and is known for its intricate carvings and beautiful architecture. The temple is a protected monument and is considered a significant pilgrimage site for Vaish


12) Nachiar Koil Temple


Nachiar Koil Temple is a Hindu temple located in the town of Srivilliputhur in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is dedicated to the Hindu goddess Andal, who is believed to be an incarnation of the goddess Lakshmi. The temple is known for its magnificent architecture and is an important pilgrimage site for devotees of Andal.


13) Udupi Sri Krishna Temple



Udupi Sri Krishna Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Krishna, located in the town of Udupi in the Indian state of Karnataka. It is one of the most famous temples in South India and is known for its unique style of worship and administration. The temple is believed to have been established by the 13th-century philosopher and saint, Sri Madhvacharya, and is an important pilgrimage site for Vaishnavites. The temple also has a fascinating history and is known for its association with the legendary saint, Kanakadasa.


14)Harshat Mata Temple 


Harshat Mata Temple is a Hindu temple located in the town of Abhaneri in the Indian state of Rajasthan, and not in Gujarat. It is dedicated to the goddess Harshat Mata, who is worshipped as the goddess of joy and happiness. The temple is known for its intricate carvings and architecture, and is believed to date back to the 8th century. The temple complex also includes several other smaller temples and monuments, and is an important historical and cultural site in Rajasthan.


15)Dehotsarg Teerth is a Jain temple



Dehotsarg Teerth is a Jain temple located in the city of Varanasi in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. It is believed to be the site where Lord Mahavira, the 24th Tirthankara of Jainism, attained Nirvana or liberation from the cycle of birth and death. The temple is considered to be one of the most important Jain pilgrimage sites in India, and is visited by thousands of devotees every year. The temple complex also includes several other shrines and buildings, and is an important historical and cultural site in Varanasi.

51 Shakti Peethas



Srimad bhagawat mahapuran, 1 st skanda ,16 th chapter