Across india there exist unique temples, where either the deities are unexpected or the rituals followed are absurd, unconventional, and at time, simply strange.
Here are 20 unique temples across india;
1). Shaheed Baba Nihal Singh Gurudwara, Talhan village, Jalandhar.
Devotees offer toy planes in this Gurudwara in the hope that their prayers to go abroad will be answered.
2). Sonia Gandhi Temple, Mallial town, Telangana.
The express their gratitude for creating Telangana state, Congress leaders of the district built a temple dedicated to Sonia Gandhi, Former President of the indian National Congress.
3). The Dog Temple, Channapatna, Karnataka.
People built a temple for dogs in Channapatnas Ramanagar district, complete with a figure of a dog as a diety, to idolize the dogs faithful nature.
4). Bharat Mata Temple, Varanasi.
Construceted before partition, in 1936, the temple is dedicated to India,Literally, and has a huge map of undivided India carved in marble instead of traditional deity statues.
5). The Amitabh Bachchan Temple Ballygunge, Kolkata.
Sanjay Patodia considers himself as a devotee and not a fan of superstar amitabh bachchan and thus constructed a temple dedicated to him. Earlier it had a throne, a pair of the shoes he wore in hismovie Agneepath, and a frame with the stars image.
6). The Sachin Temple, Atarwalia, Bihar.
It is not just the superstars, but the god of cricket Sachin Tendulkar also has a temple in bihar. it holds hislife-sized statue and he is worshipped as a real god here.
7). Digambeshwara Temple, Nagrala, Karnataka.
In an age-old yet horrific ritual, toddlers are flung from the 30-ft balcony of the temple to a group of people holding a sheet below for " good luck" in an annual ceremony.
8). Om Banna Temple, Pali, Jodhpur.
This is a shrine dedicated to a motorcycle, specifically a 350cc Royal enfield bullet. Devotees pray here for a safe journey.
9). Poruvazhy Peruviruthy Malanada, Kollan district, Kerala.
It's the only one temple in india dedicated to Duryodhana, from the indian epic mythology mahabharat. Considering the widespread belief that kauravas were evildoers, having duryodhana as the principal deity in a temple is definitely unique.
10). Brahma Baba's Temple, jaunpur, Uttar Pradesh.
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Clocks are presented as offering in this temple of brahma baba, and apparently, no one has ever stolen the hanging.
11). Mehandipur Balaji Mandir, Dausa district, Rajasthan.
Dedicated to God Hanuman, it is known for its rituals of spiritualistic healing via exorcism of evil spirits.
devotees are expected to not look back at the temple once they leave and the sight of devotees banging their head or hanging from walls is not unusual.
12). The Chinese Kali Mata temple, Tangra, Kolkata.
While there is no dearth of kali mata temples in india. This temple in kolkata's chinatown district is unique because it has a hindu deity worshipped in a chinese manner.
chinese incense sticks are lit here and a prasad of noodles is doled out to the devotees.
13). Baba Harbhajan Singh Mandir, Nathula Pass, Sikkim.
This is a shrine built by indian soldiers in the honor of captain, Baba Harbhajan singh, who died at the young age of 22. Legend claims that his ghost will warm soldiers of an impending attack by china.
14). Gata Loops Bottle Temple, Manali-Leh highway.
This is a shrine dedicated to the ghost of Gata Loop. Where riders on the Manali-Leh highway offer water bottles for a safe journey.
15). Devji Maharaj Mandir, Madhya Pradesh.
An annual bhoot mela to appease the evil spirits is conducted in this temple. The devotees also visit the temple during the full moon every month to exorcise evil spirits residing in them. Lighting camphor tablets on bare palms is a common form of penance.
16). Kodungallur Bhagavathy Temple, Thrissur District, Kerala.
Dedicated to Goddess Bhadrakali, The devotees hurl verbal abuses and sing lewd songs during the annual bharani festival as it is supposed to please the Goddess.
17). Devaragattu Temple, Kurnool district, Andhra Pradesh.
The 100 years old annual Bani festival is what makes this temple both, famous and unique. During the festival, men take lathis and hit each other till midnight to commemorate the slaying of a demon by lord shiva.
18). Kaal Bhairav Nath Temple, Varanasi.
Considered as one of the oldest shiva temples in india. What makes this temple even more unique is that alcohol is an accepted form of offering for the deity.
19). Temple of scorpion Goddess kondammai, Kandkoor, Karnataka.
Every year during Naga Panchami the devotees in this district dont just worship a scorpion idol, they also allow live scorpions to crawl all over them and none of the scorpions sting the devotees.
20). Chilkoor Balaji Temple, Hydrabad.
This temple is popularly known as the "visa Temple" because it is believed that the deity fulfills the wishes of people desiring to study or work in foreign countries. Thus, many devotees visit the temple with their passport and have the priest touch the passport to the deity's feet.