The Vishnu temples in India are important pilgrimage sites for devotees of Lord Vishnu, who is worshipped as the protector of the universe. These temples are found across the country, from Badrinath in the Himalayas to Srirangam in Tamil Nadu. Many also worship Vishnu in his different forms, including Krishna, Rama, and Narasimha.
Planning to visit a Shri Vishnu temple? Here’s the perfect itinerary with the 15 most famous Vishnu temples in India you shouldn’t miss:
1. Badrinath Temple, Uttarakhand
Located on the banks of the Alaknanda River, Badrinath Temple is the most prominent Shri Vishnu temple in India. Lord Vishnu is worshipped as Badri Narayan in this Divya Desam temple. Devotees visit this temple when completing the Char Dham pilgrimage, but it stays closed during the winter months.
Best Time to Visit: May-June and September-October.
Temple Timings: 4:30 AM-1 PM and 4:30 PM-9 PM
How to Reach: Take a shared jeep, bus, or taxi from Rishikesh, Haridwar, or Joshimath
Nearby Railway Station: Rishikesh (284 km)
Nearby Bus Station: Badrinath Bus Stand (850 m)
2. Sri Venkateswara Temple, Andhra Pradesh
Popularly called the Tirumala Tirupati Balaji Temple, this Vishnu temple remains among the most sacred pilgrimage sites in South India. Lord Vishnu is worshipped as Venkateswara, also known as Balaji. Devotees visit the temple to offer prayers and fulfil their vows, especially during the annual Brahmotsavam festival.
Best Time to Visit: November-February
Temple Timings:
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- Monday and Tuesday: 7 AM-7 PM and 8 PM-1 AM
- Wednesday: 9:30 AM-7 PM and 8 PM-1 AM
- Thursday: 8 AM-7 PM and 8 PM-1 AM
- Friday: 9 AM-8 PM and 9 PM-10 PM
- Saturday and Sunday: 7:30 AM-7 PM and 8 PM-1 AM.
How to Reach: Reach Tirupati and then take an APSRTC bus or taxi to reach the temple.
Nearby Railway Station: Tirupati Railway Station (22 km)
Nearby Bus Station: Balaji Bus Stand (450 m), and the main Tirupati Main Bus Stand is further away (24 km)
3. Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, Tamil Nadu
Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple in Srirangam is considered the first among the 108 Vishnu temples (Divya Desams). At this temple, Lord Vishnu is worshipped as Ranganatha, resting on Adishesha (the serpent). This famous Shri Vishnu temple is known for its 21-day Vaikunta Ekadashi festival, when the sacred Paramapada Vasal (Gate to Heaven) opens.
Best Time to Visit: November-February
Temple Timings: 6:00 AM-12:00 PM and 12:00 PM-9:00 PM (closes in between)
Aarti Timings: Multiple poojas throughout the day
How to Reach: Take a bus or taxi from Tiruchirapalli.
Nearby Railway Station: Srirangam Railway Station (1.2 km)
Nearby Bus Station: Srirangam Bus Stand (550 m)
4. Jagannath Temple, Odisha
Puri’s Jagannath Temple is a sacred Char Dham Yatra temple where Lord Vishnu is worshipped as Jagannath, together with his siblings Subhadra and Balabhadra. This Shri Vishnu temple is especially famous for the annual Rath Yatra, when the deities are taken through the streets of Puri in large wooden chariots.
Best Time to Visit: October-March (June-July for the Rath Yatra)
Temple Timings: 5:30 AM-9:00 PM
Aarti Timings: 5:00 AM and 5:30 PM
How to Reach: Take a local bus, taxi, or auto to reach the temple.
Nearby Railway Station: Puri Railway Station (2.8 km)
Nearby Bus Station: Puri Bus Stand (1.7 km)
5. Dwarkadhish Temple, Gujarat
Located in the holy city of Dwarka, this Shri Vishnu temple is both a sacred Divya Desam and Char Dham temple. It is said that the original shrine was made by Krishna’s great-grandson, Vajranabh, over 2,000 years ago. There is a flag on top of the temple that symbolises Krishna’s eternal presence here.
Best Time to Visit: October-February
Temple Timings: 6:30 AM-1:00 PM and 5:00 PM-9:30 PM
Aarti Timings:
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- Mangla Aarti: 6:30 AM
- Shringar Aarti: 10:30 AM–10:45 AM
- Sandhya Aarti: 7:30 PM–7:45 PM
- Shayan Aarti: 8:30 PM–8:35 PM
How to Reach: Take a bus or taxi from major cities like Jamnagar, Porbandar, and Rajkot
Nearby Railway Station: Dwarka Railway Station (2.5 km)
Nearby Bus Station: Dwarka Bus Stand (1.3 km)
6. Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple, Kerala
This Shri Vishnu temple in Thiruvananthapuram is among the 108 sacred Divya Desams of Lord Vishnu. Here, Lord Vishnu rests on the serpent king, Anantha, and devotees view the 18-foot idol through three separate doors. The temple has a 100-foot gopuram and combines Kerala and Dravidian architecture.
Best Time to Visit: October-March
Temple Timings:
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- 3:30 AM-4:45 AM
- 6:30 AM-7:00 AM
- 8:30 AM-10:00 AM
- 10:30 AM-11:10 AM
- 11:45 AM-12:00 PM
- 4:30 PM-6:15 PM
- 6:45 PM-7:20 PM
How to Reach: Take a KSRTC bus or train from Trivandrum and then use autos/taxis to reach the temple.
Nearby Railway Station: Thiruvananthapuram Central Railway Station (1.4 km)
Nearby Bus Station: East Fort Bus Stand (500 m)
7. Guruvayur Sri Krishna Temple, Kerala
Devotees worship Lord Krishna (an avatar of Lord Vishnu) as Guruvayurappan at this temple. The temple follows traditional Kerala rituals and celebrates Guruvayur Ekadashi. Many Hindu couples also choose to get married here and seek Lord Guruvayurappan’s blessings.
Best Time to Visit: October-February
Temple Timings:
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- 3 AM-12:30 PM
- 4:30 PM-9:15 PM
How to Reach: Reach Guruvayur by bus or train, then walk to the temple.
Nearby Railway Station: Guruvayur Railway Station (1 km)
Nearby Bus Station: Guruvayur KSRTC Bus Stand (500 m)
8. Vitthal Rukmini Temple, Maharashtra
This Shri Vishnu temple is one of Maharashtra’s most important Vishnu temples and a major centre of the Warkari tradition. Here, Lord Vishnu is worshipped as Vitthal, a form of Krishna, alongside Goddess Rukmini.
Best Time to Visit: July-November (during Ashadhi Ekadashi and Kartiki Ekadashi)
Temple Timings: 6:00 AM-10:45 AM, 11:00 AM-4:40 PM and 5:00 PM-11:15 PM
Aarti Timings:
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- Mangal Aarti: 4:00 AM
- Dhoop Aarti: 6:45 PM-7:00 PM
- Shej Aarti: 12:00 AM-1:00 AM
How to Reach: Take a local bus or train from Pune, Solapur, and other cities in Maharashtra.
Nearby Railway Station: Pandharpur Railway Station (2.3 km)
Nearby Bus Station: Pandharpur ST Bus Stand (1.4 km)
9. Varadaraja Perumal Temple, Tamil Nadu
As a sacred Divya Desam Vishnu temple, the Varadaraja Perumal Temple is visited by thousands of devotees. Lord Vishnu is worshipped here as Varadaraja, the giver of blessings. The temple is famous for its carved pillars and the wooden idol of Athi Varadar, which is brought out from the temple tank for darshan once every 40 years.
Best Time to Visit: October-March (May to June for the Brahmotsavam festival)
Temple Timings: 7:30 AM-12:30 PM and 3:30 PM-8:30 PM
How to Reach: Take a train or bus to Kanchipuram and an auto to the temple.
Nearby Railway Station: Kanchipuram Railway Station (5.5 km)
Nearby Bus Station: Kanchipuram Bus Stand (4.2 km)
10. Sita Ramachandraswamy Temple, Telangana
Located in Bhadrachalam, near the Godavari River, this temple is dedicated to Lord Rama. He is worshipped here as an avatar of Vishnu. The temple is visited by thousands of devotees during Sri Rama Navami, when the wedding of Rama and Sita is celebrated. It is also often called Dakshin Ayodhya.
Best Time to Visit: October-March, or during Sri Rama Navami.
Temple Timings: 4:30 AM-1:00 PM and 3 PM-9 PM
How to Reach: Take a train to Bhadrachalam Road and continue by bus or taxi.
Nearby Railway Station: Bhadrachalam Road Railway Station (40 km).
Nearby Bus Station: Bhadrachalam Bus Stand (1.8 km)
11. Shri Laxmi Narayan Temple, Delhi
The Birla family constructed this Vishnu temple in 1939. Lord Vishnu is worshipped at this temple as Narayana alongside Goddess Lakshmi. Mahatma Gandhi inaugurated the temple, ensuring that people from every caste were permitted to enter and pray here.
Best Time to Visit: October-March.
Temple Timings: 4:30 AM-1:30 PM and 2:30 PM-9 PM. Sunday
How to Reach: Take the Delhi Metro to R.K. Ashram Marg and continue by auto or walk to the temple.
Nearby Railway Station: New Delhi Railway Station (3.8 km)
Nearby Bus Station: Kendriya Terminal Bus Stand (2.5 km)
12. Adikesava Perumal Temple, Tamil Nadu
Considered to be older than Padmanabhaswamy Temple, this Divya Desam Vishnu temple is known for its wooden doors and roofs. Inside th temple, Lord Vishnu is depicted recling on the serpent Adishesha. It is believed that the idol here is made of jaggery, lime powder, and mustard.
Best Time to Visit: October-March.
Temple Timings: 5:00 AM-12:00 PM and 5 PM-8:00 PM
How to Reach: Take a bus or taxi from Nagercoil.
Nearby Railway Station: Kulithurai Railway Station (7.8 km)
Nearby Bus Station: Thiruvattar Bus Stand (500 m)
13. Jagdish Temple, Udaipur
Maharana Jagat Singh I built this famous Vishnu temple in 1651. Here, devotees worship Lord Vishnu as Jagannath (the Lord of the Universe). The temple is known for its three-storey structure, beautiful stone carvings, and black stone idol of Vishnu.
Best Time to Visit: October-March.
Temple Timings: 4:30 AM-1 PM and 5 PM-8 PM
How to Reach: Take an auto from Udaipur City Railway Station or the bus stand to Jagdish Chowk.
Nearby Railway Station: Udaipur City Railway Station (3 km)
Nearby Bus Station: Udiapole Bus Stand (2.5 km)
14. Sri Vaikuntha Perumal Temple, Tamil Nadu
This temple in Kanchipuram is listed among the sacred 108 Vishnu temples in India. Built by Pallava king Nandivarman in the 8th century, it has a unique three-level structure. Each level shows Lord Vishnu in a unique position: sitting, reclining, and standing.
Best Time to Visit: October-February (especially during Vaikunta Ekadashi)
Temple Timings: 6:30 AM-12:30 PM and 4:30 PM-8:30 PM
How to Reach: Take a train or bus to Kanchipuram and then take an auto to the temple.
Nearby Railway Station: Kanchipuram Railway Station (1.9 km)
Nearby Bus Station: Kanchipuram Bus Stand (650)
15. Srivilliputhur Andal Temple, Tamil Nadu
Lord Vishnu is worshipped as Vatapatrasayi and Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped as Andal at this Vishnu temple. Apart from being a Divya Desam temple, it is also the birthplace of two Alvar saints, Periyalvar and his foster daughter Andal. It is also famous for its 192-foot gopuram, which appears on Tamil Nadu’s state emblem.
Best Time to Visit: November-March
Temple Timings: 6:30 AM-1:00 PM and 4:00 PM-9:00 PM
How to Reach: Easily reachable by road from Madurai.
Nearby Railway Station: Srivilliputhur Railway Station (2.1 km)
Nearby Bus Station: Srivilliputhur Bus Stand (1.3 km)
Do’s and Don’ts in Vishnu Temples
When visiting a Vishnu temple in India, please remember the following guidelines:
| Do’s | Don’ts |
| Check darshan timings before visiting, especially during Vaikunth Ekadashi and other festivals. | Don’t assume all temples follow the same timings. |
| Dress modestly and check dress codes before going. Guruvayur and Padmanabhaswamy have strict rules. | Avoid shorts and other clothes restricted by the temple. |
| Book special darshan through official websites. | Don’t book through unauthorised agents. |
| Carry a valid photo ID for bookings. | Don’t carry restricted items like leather goods or mobiles inside. |
| Remove footwear and follow the queue. | Don’t take photos or use phones where prohibited. |
| Respect temple rituals and local customs. | Don’t talk loudly or litter. |
FAQs
- What are Divya Desams and Abhimana Kshetras?
Divya Desams are the 108 Vishnu temples praised by the Alvar saints in their hymns. Abhimana Kshetras are other sacred Vishnu temples known for their history, legends, and religious importance.
2. Which is the largest Vishnu temple in India?
Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple in Tamil Nadu, is the largest functioning Vishnu temple in India. It covers around 156 acres and has 21 towers and seven enclosed areas.
3. Can non-Hindus visit Vishnu temples in India?
It depends on the temple. Some temples welcome visitors of all religions, while Jagannath, Guruvayur, and Padmanabhaswamy temples restrict entry to Hindus. Check the entry rules before visiting.
4. What is the best time to visit Shri Vishnu temples in India?
October to March is generally the best time to visit most Vishnu temples in India. However, Badrinath is open only for part of the year. May-June and September-October are suitable months for visiting it.
5. Which is the oldest Vishnu temple in India?
The Dashavatara Temple in Deogarh, Uttar Pradesh, is considered as the oldest surviving Vishnu temple in India. It dates to the Gupta period and is famous for its stone carvings of Lord Vishnu.
