MYSTERIOUS TEMPLES IN INDIA

In the quiet corners of remote India, temples become storytellers, sharing tales from ages past where time feels like it takes a pause. Join us in unraveling the secrets held by these ancient sires. These are not just buildings; they’re a living echo of India’s deep spirituality and diverse culture. Let us explore some of the most mysterious temples in India.

Kamakhya Devi Temple:

Location: City-Guwahati, State-Assam
Best Season To Visit: October to March
Temple Timings 05:30 AM to 01:00 PM, 02:30 PM to 05:30 PM

The Kamakhya Devi temple is one of the four primary Shakti shrines in the country, located in Guwahati City at a distance of 7 km from Guwahati station in Assam. It is situated on the Nilanchal Hills on the banks of the river Bhramhaputra. It is the only temple in India in which a woman can perform puja or rituals during her menstruation period. It is also the most important Shakti shrine for tantra-mantra practitioners. Aghoris and Tantrics from all over the world gather here for their tantric practices and sadhanas. Also, thousands of commoners visit here to worship Goddess Shakti. ‘Kamakhya’ literally means an embodiment of desire, so in that way she may be considered a goddess of desire. It is believed to be the ‘Mahapeeth’ of all the shakti peethas. Here, the goddess Shakti is worshipped in the form of a vagina or yoni instead of using any idol.

Architecture:

The temple was destroyed by Hussein Shah in 1498 during his invasion. Later, the ruins of the temple were discovered by Vishwasingha, the founder of the Koch dynasty. It’s reconstruction was completed by his son Nar Narayan in 1565. The temple is built with the Islamic architecture of Bengal.

Legend:

According to the Devi-Bhagavata Purana, Sati married Shiva, going against the will of his father, King Daksha Prajapati. Once, Daksha organized a yagya to which all the deities were invited except Shiva and Sati. Shiva knew the intentions of King Daksha and tried to stop Sati, as he knew that Daksha would humiliate her, but wanting to visit her relatives, Sati ignored Shiva’s request and reasoned that, as family, such formality was unnecessary. Shiva then sent her with his ganas. Sati was welcomed by her mother and sisters, but Daksha was furious by her uninvited arrival and humiliated her and mocked Shiva. Enraged by her father’s insult, Sati jumped into the yagya fire and self-immolated. When Shiva came to know about this incidence, in grief over his wife’s death, he performed the Tandava dance all over the universe with Sati’s charred body in his hands, causing universal destruction. All the divinities called upon Lord Vishnu to calm down Shiva and bring him to his peaceful form. Lord Vishnu used his Sudarshana Chakra to dismember Sati’s corpse, causing Sati’s body to be dismembered into 51 pieces, which descended on earth at various places. The places where these pieces fell are the 51 Shakti peethas. The Yoni and womb of Sati fell on Nilanchal Hills, where Kamkhya Devi temple is established.

Now let us discuss some of the facts related to this temple, which make it one of the most mysterious temples in India. The sanctum sanctorum, or Garbhagriha, is below ground level and consists of no idol or image but a rock fissure in the shape of a Yoni. The Garbhagriha is small and dark, and to reach it, we have to walk through narrow, steep stone steps. Inside the cave, there is a stone structure that slopes downward from both sides, meeting in a yoni-like depression approximately 10 inches deep. This hollow is constantly filled with water from an underground natural spring. It is the vulva-shaped depression that is worshiped as the goddess Kamakhya herself. It is believed that Goddess Kamakhya menstruates for three days every year in the month of June. During this period, a white cloth is placed over that place, and the temple doors are closed for these 3 days. When the doors are opened on the 4th day, the cloth is turned red and distributed among devotees as a prasad. People believe that this red cloth is highly potent to get rid of evil spirits and keep one safe from the influence of black magic. During these 3 days, people follow some rules, such as not to do any farming activity or any religious rites. These 4 days are celebrated as a festival in the region known as ‘Ambuvachi Mela’ to commemorate the yearly menstruation of Goddess Kamakhya. Also, one strange thing that happens during these 3 days is that the water of the river Bhramhaputra turns magically red, and till date, no one could predict the scientific reason behind it.

Jagannath Temple:

Location: City-Puri, State-Orrisa
Best Season to Visit: October to April
Temple Timings: 05:30 AM to 01:00 PM, 02:30 PM to 09:00 PM

Jagannath temple is located in Puri, a seaside small town in Orissa state. Jagannath means Lord of the Universe (Jaga = Universe, Nath = Lord). Puri is one of the four abodes of Lord Vishnu. Unlike other temples in India, here the idols are made of wood. It is believed that the idols were made by Vishwakarma himself. Lord Jagannath is placed along with his elder brother Balbhadra and sister Subhadra. Only Hindus are allowed to visit this temple. According to legend, King Indradyumn built these shrines when Lord Vishnu blessed him in his dreams and guided the making of these idols.
Now, let us discuss some of the mysterious facts about Jagannath Temple.

The Heart of Shri Krishna:

The heart placed inside the idol of Lord Jagannath is believed to be alive and beating even today. It is also known as ‘Bramha Padhartha’. It is so radiant and energetic that if someone tries to see it with their naked eyes, they go blind. Due to this, no one to date has seen it. Due to its radiating energy, the idol decays and is replaced every 12 or 19 years with a new one. This replacement procedure is done in a very secretive and cautious way. During this secret activity, the power supply of the whole city is cut off. A few selected priests close all the doors of the temple. Their eyes are closed with a silk cloth, and they wear hand gloves. It is made sure that even the person who is going to place the heart inside the idol is not able to see it; only he can feel it. Security is provided by the government of India during this whole procedure. The priests who had the fortune to hold that ‘Bramha Padhartha’ say that it feels like they are holding something alive, like a frog.

The flag atop a temple:

If you see the flag, it always floats in the opposite direction of the wind flow. Strangely, no one to date could explain this scientifically. The flag is placed at the peak of the temple. Another interesting fact regarding the flag is that it is replaced daily by temple priests by climbing a 45-story temple facing away from the temple, and if this is missed even on a single day, then the temple will be closed for the next 18 years.

The Sudarshan Chakra:

The Sudarshan chakra, made of eight metals in a special proportion, is placed at the highest peak of the temple. It weighs a few tons and is 20 feet in height. It is also called ‘Neel Chakra’. It is designed and placed in such a way that while looking at it from any angle and from any direction of the city, you will find it facing towards you.

The kitchen of Puri:

The kitchen of Puri is known to be the biggest kitchen in the world, having nearly 500 cooks and 300 helpers. The number of devotees varies from 2000 to 20,000, and the amount of prasadam cooked is the same throughout the year. Yet strangely, the prasadam is never wasted or is insufficient on any day. Not only this, but the way of cooking this prasadma is mysterious too. Seven pots made of mud are placed over one another over firewood. Mysteriously, the food in the topmost pot is cooked first, followed by the bottom one, and the food in the pot nearest to the firewood is cooked last.

The temple architect:

The temple structure is huge, with a height of 214 feet, yet the temple shadow does not fall to the ground at any time of day. No architect or engineer could find the reason behind this phenomenon, which defies science rule. The Jagannth temple has four doors, and the main door of entrance to the temple is known as ‘Singhadwaram’. While you enter the temple through this door, you can clearly hear the nearby ocean waves, but once you take a step inside the temple and pass the Singhadwaram, you will no longer hear the sound of waves. In fact, you will not hear the sound of waves as long as you are inside the temple.

No fly zone:

Unlike many other temples in India, in Puri, no birds fly above the temple dome or sit on it; you will never see any planes or birds flying above the temple dome. Surprisingly, this is not declared by any state or central government but happens through some divine powers.

Sea breeze phenomenon:

As we all know, in coastal areas, sea winds blow from sea to land in the day and from land to sea in the evening. But, here in Puri, this natural phenomenon is challenged by the mysterious divine power and happens exactly opposite of this.

If you plan to visit this temple, plan it on the days of ‘Rath Yatra’. It is the major festival celebrated here in the months of June or July. Lakhs of devotees all over India visit Puri during this festival.

Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple:

Location: City-Thiruvananthapuram, State-Kerala
Best Season to Visit: October to March
Temple Timings: 3:45 am – 12:00 pm, 5:00 pm – 7:15 pm

Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple, situated in Thiruvananthapuram, the capital city of Kerala, is one of the 108 Vishnu temples, or ‘Divya Desams’ in India. In the temple, you will find Lord Vishnu reclining on the hooded serpent, Anantha. The Divya Desams are believed to be the most sacred and holy places where Lord Vishnu resides. Interestingly, the name of the capital city of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram, has been derived from the supreme deity of the temple, ‘Anantha’, who is reclining on the Anathana serpent; thus, Thiruvananthapuram means the land of Sri Anantha Padmanabhaswamy. This ancient temple dates back to 500 BC, but its on-record history dates back to the 8th century.

During the rule of King Marthanda Varma in the 18th century, the temple was renovated. King Marthanda Varma devoted all his life to being a sevak of Sree Padmanabhaswamy. The temple architecture is a mixture of Kerala and Dravidian styles. In 1965, the last Maharaja of Travancore, Maharaja Sree Padmanabha Dasa Sree Chithira Thirunal Bala Rama Varma, formed the Sree Padmanabha Swamy Temple Trust to manage the temple offerings and rituals.

Now, let’s talk about the mysterious underground treasures of the temple. The kingdoms right from Cheras, the Pandyas, the Pallavas, and the Cholas have been donating generously to Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple for thousands of years. All these treasures were securely stored in six underground vaults, which were discovered by archaeologists in 2001 and marked as A to F with the help of the temple priest. In June 2011, a public interest petition was filed in the Supreme Court of India for proper assessment of wealth and seeking transparency in the management of the temple. A five-member committee was appointed by the Supreme Court to oversee the temple’s management. Vinod Rai, a former comptroller and auditor, was assigned to examine the properties, assets, and financial records of the temple. Additionally, the court decided not to open vault B until after all other vaults were completed. However, in 2020, the royal family won the fight, and they remain the sole authority over the management of the temple and everything that comes with it.
In 2011, five of the six vaults were opened. Huge gold riches are kept in vaults A and B. Of the five open vaults, Vault A contained the majority of the riches. C and D have jewelry made of gold and silver. E and F have utensils and other items used in temple rituals. One of the finds was an eighteen-foot-tall solid gold idol of Mahavishnu, set with beautiful stones and gems. Along with sacks full of gold coins from the Roman and Middle Ages, there were thousands of pure gold chains—one measuring eighteen feet in length. Gold coins dating back thousands of years, including seven kilograms of coins from the 1700s, coins from Napoleon’s reign, priceless stones wrapped in silk bundles, and a total of one thousand kilograms of gold in the form of coins and trinkets. Jewelry, comprising of an emerald and diamond-encrusted 9-foot-long gold necklace weighing 2.5 kg, 1 ton of gold-made rice jewels, gold sticks, diamond sacks, gold ropes, and numerous other ornaments were found in chamber A.

Mystries of vault B:

Now we come to the most mysterious part of the topic, which is Vault B. Various news stories said that no matter how hard they tried, Vault B could never be opened. Vault B has a serpent and Yakshi carvings on its doors and is said to be heavily protected with the ‘Ashtha Naag Bandhan’ mantras chanted by the highest priests. It is also believed that the doors can only be opened by chanting specific powerful mantras at specific ‘Tithis‘ by a highly knowledgeable and very big devotee of Lord Vishnu. Furthermore, the temple management committee was hesitant to take any action at all—not because it would be difficult, but rather because they thought that mystical forces were protecting Vault B. It was also stated that anyone attempting to unlock the enigmatic vault would be asking for major problems. As some temple officials attempted to breach the vault’s entrance, they heard waves smashing out of nowhere. It was evident that they withdrew and gave up. Many people were skeptical about the idea that the treasure in Padmanabhaswamy Temple was the curse after an incident in the 1930s. It is reported that a group of snakes suddenly appeared to fight miscreants who were attempting to break into vault B. One month after the vaults were unlocked, Sundarajan, the petitioner, passed away unexpectedly.

Jwala Ji Temple:

Location: City-Kangra, State- Himachal Pradesh
Best Season to Visit: September and October
Temple Timings: 06:00 am – 09:00 pm

One of India’s 51 Shaktipeeths, Jwala Ji Temple, also known as Jwala Devi Temple, is a highly revered Shakti temple. It is located in the “Kalidhar” valley of Kangra, at the foothills of the Shivalik mountain. This is thought to be the Pandavas’ very first temple. Jwala Ji is a Devi temple dedicated to the “goddess of light,” located in Jawala Mukhi, district Kangra, of Himachal Pradesh. In Sanskrit, the word “Jwala” means “flame,” and in the Indian subcontinent, “Ji” is an honorific. Mata Jwala Mukhi Ji and Mata Jwala Ji are other names for Goddess Jwala. The Mahabharata and other sacred texts make reference to it.
Jwala Ji Temple, unlike any other temple, has a blue light that appears to emanate from the rocks rather than a statue or picture. The flame, which has been burning constantly since the beginning of recorded history, can be observed in several locations within the temple. A total of nine flames are ignited in the temple, which represent the nine goddesses: Mahakali, Annapurna, Chandi, Hinglaj, Vidhya Basni, Mahalakshmi, Saraswati, Ambika, and Anji Devi. The Jwala Ji eternal flame is undoubtedly the result of other occurrences and science, but it may also be a sign of the glory of our forefathers.

Numerous scientific studies were conducted, but the cause of these spontaneous fires remained a mystery. According to geologists, behind the Jwala Ji temple lies a dormant volcano from which natural gas is erupting, forming flames that Hindus worship as a goddess. The Indian government hired a foreign corporation in the 1970s to investigate the possibility of large natural gas resources there. They reported they couldn’t find any gas after a while of labor and departed.
Once, the Mughal Emperor Akbar attempted to extinguish the fires by directing water toward them and covering them with an iron disk. But all these efforts proved useless due to the divine power of flames. Akbar then gave the shrine a golden parasol. But because of his sinful act and disbelief on Devi’s power, the gold began to corrode and change into a strange metal that is still unidentified to science. His belief in the deity was all the stronger after this incident, and he went back to Delhi.
The story of the Jwala Ji Temple is about Sati, who is the granddaughter of Lord Brahma and the wife of Lord Shiva. Sati’s tongue descended at the site of the Jwala Ji temple, and the goddess appeared as a little blue flame that flawlessly burned through the fissures in the rock. It is this deep-rooted mythology associated with this temple that attracts a lot of pilgrims and visitors who are eager to view the holy flame and pray to the goddess Jwala Ji for protection and blessings.

The temple was initially constructed by Raja Bhumi Chandra. Once, he receives a complaint from a cowherd that a girl emerges from the forest and consumes his cow’s milk. The king kept looking for the location and eventually found it, as he was well aware of the mythology related to Sati. There, he built a temple and appointed priests to perform daily pujas. Later, the Pandavas renovated the temple.
The present-day temple design includes a golden dome and pinnacles in addition to the fine silver plate folding entrance that Maharaja Kharak Singh donated. Maharaja Ranjit Singh, his father, made the gilt roof donation in 1815 AD. The temple’s interior is made up of a square pit that is roughly three feet deep and has a road surrounding it.
The Jwala Ji Temple presents a unique blend of rich mythology and natural phenomena, making it a remarkable depiction of India’s spiritual and cultural past. It tells a magnificent tale, bolstered by a steadfast light that burns brightly and fills visitors with amazement and awe, regardless of their perspective—spiritual or scientific.

Mehandipur Balaji Temple:

Location: City-Dausa , State-Rajasthan
Best Season To Visit: October to March
Temple Timings: 06:30 AM to 09:00 PM

Mehandipur Balaji, located in the Dausa district of Rajasthan, is one of those Indian locations shrouded in mystery. It is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Hanuman (the god of strength), and he is celebrated and prayed to in his childhood form at this temple. That is why the temple is also referred to as Balaji, meaning child. You must go to Mehandipur Balaji if you assumed it was just another temple. You’ll be taken to a completely different universe as soon as you enter the building. Something hits you that’s weird and inexplicable. Jai Bala chants will greet you, and even if you choose not to join the chanting group, you will inevitably become one of them. But that’s not what’s strange here. You will be terrified to death by those in the same crowd who, according to their wards, are possessed by some evil spirit or energy and are acting in such a way. Here, you won’t hear the sound of temple bells like you would at a typical temple. You will hear the deafening screams of possessed men and women as soon as you enter the property. The sounds might haunt you now and then. You would feel a little shiver down the back of your spine, even though the community is situated in a warm climate. You would believe in ghosts and mysterious forces if you didn’t already after seeing Mehandipur Balaji Temple.

The Exorcism:

Because of the widespread belief among devotees that this location possesses magical abilities, thousands of people visit this pilgrimage site daily in hopes of receiving an exorcism or finding healing from black magic. It is thought to be the most effective counter curse to drive out ghosts and bad spirits. The holy location is well-known for being a hub for ceremonial healing and exorcism. Naturally, this is the reason pilgrims visit the temple from all across the nation. Although exorcisms are frequently performed here, visitors may be surprised to discover individuals shackled to the temple’s railings directly outside in iron chains. Several pandits were observed using holy water that emerges from the statue of Balaji to perform exorcisms and chant mantras on the “possessed” souls.

Rituals:

People planning to visit the temple must follow some strict rules and follow a strict vegetarian diet a week before planning a visit. You are also not supposed to eat, bring back, or distribute the prasad you get in the temple. As you step onto the premises of the temple, the petty shopkeepers try to sell prasad. You have to take that black ball, as it is considered unlucky to refuse it. While it is not meant to be eaten, they are supposed to be taken around your body five times before throwing them in the ritual fire. There’s a dedicated place for this ritual. According to the beliefs, people suffering from evil spirits can get immediate relief through methods like Arji, Sawamani, and Darkhast in the temple. Such people then visit the statue of Bhairav Baba, who is also known as Kotval Kaptan (head of the army) or Shri Pretraj Sarkar (king of evil spirits). You are not supposed to pay money in any form to the priest or anyone in the temple, and even if you offered the money, no priest would take it. Also, photography or videography is prohibited here. Once you leave the temple premises, make sure you do not consume anything or don’t carry any prasad, water, or food items from here. Talking or touching someone is prohibited here, as many people are believed to be possessed, and if you touch them, you might get affected. The rules don’t end here; once you leave the temple, you should not look back because, who knows, an evil spirit is watching you and you might give them an invitation! It is strictly advised that as soon as you exit the temple premises, you must leave the village without having even a drop of water.

The temple is managed by a trust called Shri Mehandipur Balaji Mandir Prabandhak Committee, which is responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of the temple. Apart from exorcism, many regular activities are performed in this temple, including pious rituals and providing food to the needy. The guests must carry out a few specific rites, making sure that the correct order is followed. Three general categories can be used to categorize the rituals:

Durkhasta:

This ritual requires you to take small Durkhasta laddoos from any shop outside the temple. You will get two plates of laddoos, and you have to offer these plates to the priests standing in front of the temple. They will pick a few of them and add to the fire burning in front of the deity. Each plate contains 4–5 laddoos. Durkhasta is performed after the morning prayer and before the evening prayer. The two plates have a purpose: the first is to let God know that you are available for his blessings, and the second is to ask him to help you reach your objectives and find solutions to your issues. You have to proceed and offer Pretraj Sarkar and Kotwal Bhairav Ji after that. You will need to consume two laddoos from the remaining ones after the final offering. People circle the containers with the remaining bhog around their heads seven times in an anticlockwise direction before discarding them without turning around.

Arzi:

After Durkhasta, you are required to order for Arzi from any of the shops outside that have a fixed cost of INR 270. It includes 1.25 kg of laddoos, 2.25 kg of urad dal, and 4.25 kg of boiled rice. You have to do this in two separate containers, one for Pretraj Sarkar and the other for Kotwal Bhairav Ji.

Savamani:

If you ask for any wish, then before leaving the temple, you must promise Balaji that during your next visit, you will offer Savamani, a ritual of offering to be done on Tuesdays and Saturdays.

The Legend:

Three prominent deities are worshipped at the shrine: Bhairav, Pret Raj, and Lord Hanuman (also known as Balaji). The temple’s deities date back almost a millennium. It is thought that the idols of Lord Hanuman were not created by humans, but rather they spontaneously materialized in the Aravali hills. It is thought that ghosts and spirits are connected to all of these deities. Prior to the devotion of Balaji by Shri Mahant Ji’s ancestors, the temple’s grounds were covered in a thick forest. The story goes that Shri Mahant Ji dreamed of the three goddesses and heard a voice telling him to get ready to do his job. Lord Balaji appeared before him and ordered, “Take duty of serving me.” After this incident, they started worshipping Lord Hanuman here.

Architecture:

Mehandipur’s Balaji Temple is among the outstanding displays of traditional architecture in India. Typical of the ‘Nagara’ architectural style are the temple’s tall, curved spires. The little balconies, supported by pillars, pay homage to the architectural legacy of the Rajput family. Extensive sculptures and carvings of numerous gods and goddesses adorn the temple’s outer walls. The main entrance of the temple is adorned with a large statue of Lord Hanuman, who is believed to be its reigning deity. The architecture of Mehandipur Balaji Temple is a wonderful piece of art that perfectly encapsulates the building’s uniqueness and history. The spooky aura hits you the moment you step onto the property.
The temple is divided into four chambers, the first two of which contain the idols of Lord Hanuman and Lord Bhairav, while the last chamber is certain to arouse your sense of unease. You’ll find that the possessed men and women are beating their heads and soaking themselves in boiling water; others are dangling from the ceilings, while others are being beaten mercilessly by the priests while shackled to enormous stones. The whole event will give you the chills, and all you want is to go without incident and without hurting yourself.

While planning to visit this temple, avoid Saturdays and Tuesdays, as these are the busiest days. Visiting this temple may cost you something that can’t be counted in terms of money! You might have a very disturbing experience during a visit to this temple, and it is definitely not for the faint-hearted. Though this place is a very renowned site for healing people suffering from black magic.

Conclusion:

As we come to an end to our journey through mysterious temples in India, we must have felt that these are not just old structures but
a gateways to captivating stories. These hidden chambers and ancient inscriptions compel us to connect with India’s rich heritage on a spiritual level. Let us thus continue our voyage, relishing the wonder, curiosity, and delight of learning about the incredible stories interwoven throughout this amazing country.

FAQs:

Which is the rarest temple in India?
Ans: The Mundeshwari Devi Temple is the oldest Hindu temple in north India. It is situated at 608 feet in Ramgarh Village, on the Mundeshwari Hills of the Kaimur plateau near the Son River, in the Indian state of Bihar. This temple is dedicated to the goddess Durga.

Which is the most powerful temple in India?
Ans: The answer to this question can’t be given by giving any one temple name. There are many powerful temples of different deities all over India. We could categorize it according to the different gods revered and their divine presence over the temple.

Which is the most powerful Shakti peeth?
Ans: Kamakhya Devi Mandir is considered the most powerful of all 51 peethas. It is the most powerful place for tantra and mantra practitioners. It is believed that all kinds of tantric siddhis could be achieved here if done under the proper guidance of the Guru.

Which temple is built by ghosts?
Ans: The Kakanmath Temple in Morena, Madhya Pradesh, is believed to have been built by ghosts in just one night. This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva.

Which god has no temple in India?
Ans: Lord Bramha, even being one of the three Hindu trinity gods, has only one temple dedicated to him. This is because of the curse given by Lord Shiva to Bramha.