From Kamakhya to Jagannath Puri: 6 most famous temples in India and what makes them unique

India is home to thousands of temples. From the ocean-side temples in South India with beautiful colours and elaborate architecture to the temples up in North where ice forms the idols of God, there is something unique and absolutely mystical about them all. In fact, we also have temples that help perform exorcisms and ones where rats are worshipped alongside the Gods and Goddesses. If this fascinates you in any way, here we mention six Indian temples and their unique attributes and features.

In the temple of Lord Jagannath, in Puri, a unique feature is a flag that defies the laws of nature. The flag atop the Jagannath Puri temple always flutters in the opposite direction of the wind. Even though there are more flags in the vicinity, the one on top of the main shrine is always in the opposite direction to others.

Along with the nature’s law-defying flag, another unique feature of the temple is the fact that every single day a priest climbs atop the temple, without any support and with his bare hands, and replaces the flag every day without fail.

While rats are usually frowned upon, and anything they touch is considered to be inedible, in a temple in Rajasthan they are worshipped along with the Goddess!
The Karni Mata temple also known as the ‘Rat temple’ of India has about 25000 rats freely roaming about the temple, and they are known as ‘Kabas’. The rats in the temple are protected, worshipped, and treated equally to humans for they too are the true devotees of Karni Maa, who is believed to be an avatar of Maa Durga.
And in this temple, if a rat runs across your feet, especially a white one, it is considered utter good luck.

While bells are chimes are common in temples, there is a temple dedicated to Lord Krishna where there are none. And even though ringing a bell is customary during aartis and pujas, the same is not the case in Banke Bihari temple. Why?

Well, in Banke Bihari temple Lord Krishna is worshipped in his ‘Baal’ avatar or child form. And so, it is believed that the loud chimes and sound of the bells will disturb and irritate the baby, and so it is best to keep the noise to a minimum.

Menstruation, or ‘periods’ is a term that is considered taboo in many societies and families. Even after being a life-giving force, and a common occurrence, there has always been a ‘hush-hush’ around the topic. But, in this Indian temple, the Goddess is seen as a ‘Menstruating Goddess’ and is loved, feared, and worshipped.
The Kamakhya temple in Assam is one of the most powerful Shakti Peeths in the world and is said to be the place where the ‘Yoni’ of Mata Sati fell. The ‘Ambubachi Mela’ in the temple is a festival that celebrates the time when the goddess undergoes her menstrual cycle.

The Mehandipur Balaji temple in Rajasthan is known for the heavy, and uncomfortable energies that surround the place. Even though it is a temple, devotees do not always feel positivity and calm over there, and the environment is rather intense. Why?
Well because Mehandipur Balaji is the temple where exorcism-like rituals are done. It is believed to be the temple with the power to cure people of evil spirits. People believe that Lord Hanuman, in the form of ‘Balaji’, removes any evil spirits from their bodies, and keeps harm away.

In the calm town of Vrindavan is the temple of Nidhivan; very few people are unaware of the mysteries and unique features of this place. Nidhivan is surrounded by twisted, dwarf trees that look like they are entangled with each other like a human is when he or she is frozen in between a dance or an act.
The uniqueness of these trees lies in the legend that says that these aren’t ordinary trees but rather the ‘Gopis’ that dance with Shri Krishna every night and then turn back into trees as soon as the Sun rises. Wherever they are standing, and in whichever position, they immediately freeze and turn into trees.
Plus, in Nidhivan, no one is allowed to stay inside the temple premises after dark and people who live close by shut their windows off permanently. The reason: It is said that Lord Krishna comes here every night to perform his Leelas, and anyone who witnesses his energy becomes very overwhelmed.