India is home to a wide variety of temples, each with its own unique significance, history, and rituals. Some temples stand out not only for their architecture but for their strange deities and unusual practices. Here are some of the most fascinating and lesser-known temples in India.
1. Bullet Baba (Pali, Rajasthan)
Located in Pali, Rajasthan, Bullet Baba Temple is dedicated to a deceased man named Om Singh Rathore, who died in a road accident while riding his Bullet motorcycle. It is believed that the motorcycle, now enshrined at the temple, protects travelers from accidents. Devotees bring offerings like garlands, petrol, and even new Bullet motorcycles to seek blessings for a safe journey.
2. Karni Mata, Deshnok (Bikaner, Rajasthan)
Karni Mata Temple in Deshnok, Rajasthan, is famous for its large population of rats, which are considered sacred. The temple is dedicated to Karni Mata, an incarnation of Goddess Durga. Devotees believe that the rats are the reincarnated souls of the family of Karni Mata. Visitors often feed and revere the rats, making it one of the most unusual temples in India.
3. Mehandipur Balaji, Dausa (Rajasthan)
Mehandipur Balaji Temple, located in Dausa, Rajasthan, is famous for its exorcism rituals. The temple is dedicated to Lord Hanuman in the form of Balaji, who is believed to have the power to cure mental illnesses, demonic possessions, and black magic. Devotees visit the temple to perform special rituals to rid themselves of evil spirits.
4. Kamakhya Devi (Guwahati, Assam)
The Kamakhya Temple in Guwahati, Assam, is one of the most significant pilgrimage sites for Hindus. The temple is dedicated to Goddess Kamakhya, one of the ten Mahavidyas. What makes this temple unique is the practice of offering sacrifices to the goddess, and its connection to tantric rituals. It is believed that the goddess grants fertility and power to those who seek her blessings.
5. Chausath Yogini (Odisha & Madhya Pradesh)
Chausath Yogini temples, found in Odisha and Madhya Pradesh, are dedicated to the 64 Yoginis,mystic female deities who are believed to possess great power. These temples are often located on high hills, and the temples feature 64 stone figures, each representing a different yogini. The temples are an embodiment of tantric traditions and practices.
6. Nidhivan Temple, Vrindavan
Located in Vrindavan, Nidhivan Temple is associated with the Raas Lila, the divine dance of Lord Krishna and Radha. The temple is believed to be the site where Lord Krishna still performs the Raas Lila every night. After dark, the temple is locked, and no one is allowed to stay inside, as it is believed that the deity’s divine dance continues in the night hours.
7. Stambheshwar Mahadev, Gujarat
Situated near Vadodara in Gujarat, Stambheshwar Mahadev is known as the Temple of the Tides. This unique temple appears and disappears with the rising and falling tides of the Arabian Sea. During low tide, the temple is visible, and devotees can visit it. However, when the tide rises, the temple is submerged, adding a mystical element to this beautiful place of worship.
8. Achaleshwar, Mount Abu (Rajasthan)
The Achaleshwar Temple, located in Mount Abu, Rajasthan, is dedicated to Lord Shiva. What makes it unique is the "big toe" of Lord Shiva, which is believed to have been left as a footprint. Pilgrims visit the temple to offer prayers and seek blessings from the deity whose presence is marked by the footprint, making it an interesting destination for Shiva devotees.
