8 Mysterious Temples In India That Will Give You Shock

It is often mentioned that India harbors an extensive pantheon of gods and goddesses. Within the country, one can discover a multitude of sacred cities and shrines available for exploration. Temples and places of worship are abundant, but a select few stand out for their unique and unconventional nature. India boasts a number of temples renowned for their eccentric deities, while others gain prominence due to their practices involving exorcism. These are the religious sites in India that adhere to tantric traditions and engage in a variety of peculiar rituals.

# Mahendipur Balaji Temple, Rajasthan

For those who are skeptical about the supernatural, a visit to this location is highly recommended, as it has the potential to challenge your beliefs rooted in science. Situated in the Dausa district of Rajasthan, this temple has gained a reputation for dispelling individuals from the clutches of evil spirits, apparitions, and malevolent beings. A range of techniques, such as suspension from the ceiling, scalding water purification, and tethering to walls, are employed to cleanse afflicted bodies of these malevolent influences. This temple stands as one of the few sites in India where priests continue to carry out exorcisms. Interestingly, there is no offering of Prasad, a devotional offering, involved in this temple's practices.

# Kamakhya Devi Temple, Assam

Situated atop the Nilachal Hill in Guwahati, the Kamakhya Devi Temple stands as one of India's most renowned and enigmatic places of worship. Functioning as a Shakti Peeth, this temple follows a distinctive tradition, lacking a conventional deity for adoration, but rather containing the yoni or feminine symbol of Devi Sati. An intriguing phenomenon unfolds during the monsoon season each year, as it is believed that the goddess experiences her menstrual cycle. Astonishingly, the temple is then closed for a span of three days. Notably, the underground spring that flows within the temple's chamber reportedly takes on a red hue during this period. As an offering to the devotees, a piece of red fabric utilized to cover the stone yoni during these days is distributed as 'Prasad'.

# Devji Maharaj Mandir, Madhya Pradesh

Nestled within Madhya Pradesh, the Devji Maharaj Temple stands as another intriguing spiritual destination in India. Devotees gather here on the full moon of each month with the intention of ridding themselves of ghosts and malevolent entities. A prevalent custom involves igniting camphor tablets upon one's palms, aimed at facilitating the departure of these spirits from the individual's body. The temple premises host a ghost fair, an event orchestrated to appease these malevolent forces. Undoubtedly, this place holds an air of mystique and intrigue.

# Kodungallur Bhagavathy Temple, Kerala

The Kodungallur Bhagavathy Temple annually observes a unique 7-day festival called the Bharani Festival. During this event, participants don red clothing and brandish swords as they gather within the temple's precincts. In an astonishing display, they dash around, striking their own heads with these swords, resulting in the uncontrolled flow of blood. These individuals then proceed into the temple, singing irreverent songs about the Devi.

# Venkateswara Temple, Andhra Pradesh

The Venkateswara Temple has established an uncommon and profitable trade by exporting human hair to foreign nations. The primary deity of this temple is Lord Vishnu, and human hair is regarded as a symbol of devotion and sacrifice within its premises. This temple holds immense historical significance, attracting over 12,000 pilgrims daily who fulfill their vows by shaving their heads. Remarkably, approximately 75 tons of hair are collected each year, yielding a revenue of around 6.5 million USD. This harvested hair is used by Italian manufacturers to create wigs or for applications in the field of food preservation.

# Stambheshwar Mahadev, Gujarat

This temple experiences a captivating phenomenon of appearing and vanishing throughout the day. Found in proximity to Vadodara city in the Gujarat state, the Stambheshwar Mahadev Temple stands on the shores of the Arabian Sea. It is believed that Lord Shiva resides within its sacred confines, bestowing blessings upon those who possess the courage to journey to this spot. An exceptional aspect of this temple is that it can be accessed solely during the low tide period. When high tides surge, the temple becomes fully submerged beneath the sea's waters.

# Kal Bhairav Nath Temple, Madhya Pradesh

Are you familiar with the concept of offering alcohol as a sacred offering? In this temple, the sole offering made to the deity is liquor. This isn't a mere notion but an actual practice, with large quantities of alcohol being presented to the deity on a daily basis. Astonishingly, the devotees themselves also receive this same offering as Prasad. It's quite unconventional, isn't it?

# Dattatreya Temple, Karnataka

This is another renowned temple in the state of Karnataka, known for its ability to free individuals from malevolent spirits. On both new moon and full moon days, a grand Maha Mangal Aarti takes place at 11:30 am within this temple. During such events, individuals under possession often emit unsettling sounds, contributing to an eerie ambiance.