The world's incredible temples

Numerous temples in the world are breathtakingly incredible constructions. Each has its own unique design and features that mirror particular religious beliefs and represent different forms of architectural styles.

See below the amazing images, presented here in no particular order, of some of the world's most incredible temples.

1. The Prambanan Temple. Indonesia

The Prambanan is the largest Hindu temple complex in Central Java in Indonesia and one of the largest Hindu temples in south-east Asia listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was built around 10th century and dedicated to Shiva.

2. The Taj Mahal Temple. India

The Taj Mahal is a mausoleum located in Agra, India, completed in 1653 by a Mughal Emperor, Shah Jahan, in memory of his favorite (third) wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who died giving birth to their fourteenth child.

3. The Lotus Temple. India

The Bahá'í House of Worship in Delhi, India, popularly known as the Lotus Temple due to its flowerlike shape, is a Bahá'í House of Worship and also a prominent attraction in Delhi. It was completed in 1986. The temple was opened to public worship in December 1986. Until 2002, it attracted more than 50 million visitors. It has been one of the most visited buildings in the world - the temple rivals the Eiffel Tower and the Taj Mahal (in terms of the visitor numbers).

4. The Wat Rong Khu Temple. Thailand

The Wat Rong Khun in Chiang Rai is different from any other temple in Thailand as its ubosot (Pali: uposatha; consecrated assembly hall) is designed in white color with elements of white glass. Whiteness symbolizes Buddha’s purity and the Buddha’s wisdom is reflected in the white glass. The 2009 is the 12th year of construction and Wat Rong Khun. It has not been yet completed, but it has already become Chiang Rai’s greatest tourist attraction.

5. The Taktsang Temple. Bhutan

Taktsang Monastery, also called Tiger's Nest and situated north of Paro in Bhutan, sits on a nearly vertical cliff at the altitude of 3000m. It was built in 1692. The legend says that Guru Rinpoche, the second Buddha, flew onto the cliff on the back of a tigress. He used to meditate in a cave which now exists within the monastery walls.

6. The Akshardham Temple. India

Akshardham, located in Dheli, was officially opened on 6 November 2005. It is one of the biggest religious places of worship ever constructed. It combines several different architectural styles of Hindu temple architecture that can be found in northern India. The Akshardham monument, built without steel, is entirely composed of sandstone and marble.

7. The Pura Ulun Danu Bratan Temple. Indonesia

Pura Ulun Danu Bratan, or Pura Bratan, is a major water temple on Bali, Indonesia. The temple complex is located on the shores of Danau Bratan (Lake Bratan) in the mountains near Bedugul. It was built in 1633 by the Raja of Mengwi.

8.The Harmandir Sahib Temple. India

Harmandir Sahib, informally called the Golden Temple or the Temple of God (its name literally means House of God), is culturally the Sikhs' most significant place of worship. It is located in the city of Amritsar, which was established by Guru Ram Das Ji, the fourth guru of the Sikhs. The construction of the temple started in 1574 and was completed in 1604.

9. The Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple

The Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple in Srirangam, in India is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Ranganatha, a reclining form of Lord Vishnu. The temple occupies an area of 156 acres (6,31,000 m²) with a perimeter of 1,116m (10,710 feet) making it the largest temple in India and one of the largest religious complexes in the world.

10. The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir Temple. Canada

BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir is a Hindu temple in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It was opened on July 22, 2007 by Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper. It is the first traditional stone temple in Canada and the largest such structure outside India. No structural steel was used in the construction.