Know About The Biggest Temple In The World

India has recently garnered global attention for the inauguration of the Ram Temple and the BAPS Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi, opened by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his UAE visit. This raises the intriguing question: What is the largest temple in the world?
To answer this, it’s essential to understand what defines a temple. A temple, broadly speaking, is a structure designated for religious or spiritual activities. While the term is widely associated with Hinduism and Eastern traditions, it is less common in Western Christianity, where churches and cathedrals dominate.
Determining the "biggest" temple involves various factors, including size, significance, and records like those maintained by Guinness World Records. Temples often exist within vast complexes, complicating measurements. Despite these challenges, a general consensus identifies three temples as the largest globally.
3. Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, Tamil Nadu, India
Located in Tiruchirappalli, the Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple is the third-largest Hindu temple worldwide. This Dravidian architectural marvel spans 6,795,360 square feet and is among the 108 Divyadesams dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The temple’s intricate layout includes seven enclosures, with the inner courts housing the deity in a reclining posture on Adishesha. Many consider it the largest functioning temple, comparable to global religious complexes like the Potala Palace in Tibet and the Vatican City.
2. BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham Temple, New Jersey, USA
Opened in October 2023, the BAPS Swaminarayan Akshardham Temple in Robbinsville, New Jersey, is the second-largest temple globally, covering 185 acres. Constructed over 12 years by 12,500 volunteers, the temple features the world’s largest elliptical stone dome and incorporates 1.9 million cubic feet of stone sourced from around the world. Its design reflects traditional Hindu scriptures and includes over 10,000 intricate carvings. The temple joins the Akshardham complexes in Gandhinagar and Delhi as a symbol of cultural pride.
1. Angkor Wat, Cambodia
The largest temple in the world, Angkor Wat, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a masterpiece of Khmer architecture. Built in the 12th century by King Suryavarman II, this Hindu temple spans 500 acres and symbolizes Mount Meru, the mythical home of the gods. Its features include a vast moat, intricate bas-reliefs, and over 3,000 unique apsara carvings. The temple complex embodies Hindu cosmology, with its central tower representing Mount Meru surrounded by continents and oceans.
Angkor Wat remains a timeless testament to architectural brilliance, spiritual significance, and cultural heritage, securing its position as the largest religious structure in history.