A new face of India is showcased through its modern temples which are a peerless amalgam of ethnic traditions of the past and the innovative architecture of the present.
The faiths of the people remain the same, the deities too haven't changed their face but it is a new fragrance of freshness that can be felt from the wide corridors, modern structures, murals, etc.
that will welcome you into the doors of the twenty first century technology and planning.
Akshardham Temple, a modern architectural gem in Delhi's crown, has made quite a quick entry into the good books of travelers.
It is the best representation of modern temples and their remarkable structural plan.
The temple was constructed under the aegis of Bochasanvasi Aksharpurushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) in the year 2005, on the banks of river Yamuna.
The main attractions of the temple include the vast area that it covers which is approximately 100 acres including beautiful lawns ornamented with fountains, floral motifs, statues, carved pillars and separate sections for musical fountain, museum and an IMAX theatre too.
The main statue of Lord Swaminarayan lies in the central sanctum sanctorium.
Delhi's Lotus Temple is another architectural marvel with grabs the attention of any visitor to Delhi.
Its twenty seven petal shaped designs are intricately adjoined to give an half-open lotus shape.
This Bahai Temple is mainly a meditation and prayer hall that came into existence in the year 1986.
With bosky green gardens and pools surrounding the gigantic lotus, the temple looks truly magnificent from the exterior while the interiors echo the silent prayers.
ISKCON Temples, run by the International Society of Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), are located all over the world.
In India, they are present in 40 locations including the states of Delhi, Vrindavan, Bangalore and Mayapur in West Bengal.
These temples are special, more for a unique experience that they offer the devotees of Lord Krishna, rather for their exterior structure.
Paintings of the temple walls give a peek into the various scenes of Lord Krishna and Lord Rama's life.
The interiors of the temple echo the chants of 'Hare Rama Hare Krishna', making the devotees mingle in the devotion and faith of Lord Krishna.
Another significant landmark temple representing modern architecture is the group of Birla Temples, located in Delhi, Hyderbad and Jaipur.
Built by the famous industrialist B.
D.
Birla, these temples welcome you to the world of fusion between the age old faith and innovation.
The temple is devoted to Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi.
Its fountains, waterfalls and Rajput style paintings surely make the temple an incomparable one in its architectural splendor.
Birla Temple of Hyderabad sits pretty atop a hill giving the best view of the city.
It holds a granite idol of the deity which stands 11 ft tall.
Birla Mandir of Delhi has a touch of Orissa architectural style, and is completely built with red sandstone and marble coinciding with the overall Mughal architecture that adorns the city.
Sivagiri Temple of Kerala is another spectacular temple structure situated between the mesmerizing views of Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea.
It was built in the 19th century by Sree Narayan Guru for worshiping Goddess Saraswati, the goddess of learning.
Like most of the temples of Kerala, Sivagiri Temple also portrays simple and elegant architecture.
What makes it unique is the availability of modern amenities within the temple and the elaborate planning of the temple.
The temple defies the traditional dogmas and marks a new beginning to the religious faiths and worship ways.