Unveiling the Mysteries of India’s Lesser-Known Temples (2024)
India is considered a very religious country that is famous for its temple and gods. Thus, you find several beautiful temples which are spread all across the country. Each of the temples tends to have a fascinating history behind it.
In general, people only explore very famous temples. But, if you are enthusiastic and religious, then there are many lesser-known temples that you can explore.
Unveiling the Mysteries of India’s Lesser-Known Temples
So, in this blog, you would get a complete breakdown of India’s lesser-known temples segmented in each region. Let us have a look:-
Sri Padmanabha Swamy Temple, Kerala
Padmanabha Swamy Temple is based out in Trivandrum, Kerala and it is famous for its wonders and mysteries. Recently, vast treasures were found in the sanctum of the temple. In the vaults, emeralds, diamonds, other precious metals, and pearls were found.
There is one room in this temple that cannot be opened to anyone. The story behind not opening the door is that the planet would get engulfed by the sea of milk. This would mean that the earth would be ended.
Besides this, it is well known for its spectacular architecture and over here you will find the reclining posture of Lord Padmanabha Swamy. The lord is worshipped through three doors arrangement due to the statue’s size.
Sri Padmanabha Swamy Temple, Kerala: East Fort, Attukal, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala 695023, India
Pundarikakshan Perumal Temple, Tamil Nadu
Pundarikaksha Temple is 15 lakh years old temple situated near Tiruchirapalli. The temple is deemed Lord Vishnu 108 Divya Desams. Its architecture is of Dravidian Style and it was built was King Sibi. There is a special ritual put into place in this temple.
In this, the first rights during processions and Poojas are given to the wife of the lord and after this, it is followed to Lord. An engineering mystery that you will find over here is a pond in which the steps are built in a zig-zag pattern. Lastly, during the time of the festival, the chariot of the temple is taken out in a very grand fashion with a lot of gatherings.
Pundarikaksha Temple, Tamil Nadu: Sannathi St, Tiruvanaikaval, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu 620005, India
Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, Tamil Nadu
If you are looking to visit India’s Lesser-Known temples, then Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple in Tamil Nadu should be on your list. The temple is constructed in the Dravidian architecture style. It is also a part of Lord Vishnu’s self-manifested shrines.
It is spanned in about 156 acres and is dedicated to Ranganatha. Further, the temple is situated between two rivers i.e. Kollidam and Cauvery. The temple was constructed in the 2nd century BC but if the archaeological inscriptions are to be believed, the temple came up in the 10th century CE.
Moreover, it consists of 7 enclosures having massive walls. Other than this, it has 50 sub-shrines, 21 gopuras, golden Vimana, and 9 sacred pools. The temple vimana is made using gold and it is safeguarded by an electric fence.
Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, Tamil Nadu: Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple Gopura Vaasal, Srirangam, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu 620006, India
Karkala Jain Temple, Karnataka
It is perhaps the most worshipped temple that you will find in Karnataka. Vir Pandya Deva constructed this temple around 1432 AD and it has a very astonishing architecture. Likewise, it has 108 pillars and you will find four entrances located in each direction. Inside the temple, you will find the deity of Mulnayak Bhagwan Neminatha. Lastly, the temple is made completely with the help of carved granite rocks.
Karkala Jain Temple, Karnataka: Basadi Halli, Karkala, Karnataka 574104, India
Shree Kshetra Ganagapur, Karnataka
Ganagapur Dattatreya is considered a very holy place and it tends to have a very rich culture. The temple is situated on the banks of River Bhima in the Gulbarga District of Karnataka. Over here, the Sri Nrisimha Saraswathi Swamy Padukas are worshipped. When it is touched, then it feels very soft similar to a human body’s limbs. Thus, this place is considered a very important Darshaneeya Kshetra.
Devotees travel all across different parts of the country to find inner peace as well as cure different ailments. It is believed that a lot of ailments are fixed after visiting this holy temple.
Shree Kshetra Ganagapur, Karnataka: Ganagapura, Karnataka 585212, India
Gnana Saraswati Temple, Telangana
Gnana Saraswati Temple is a temple that is dedicated to Goddess Saraswati based out in Basar, Telangana.
Bijialudu who was the king of Karnataka constructed this temple. In the 17th century, the idols were reinstated after it was destructed by Muslim invaders.
Many pilgrims visit this temple to perform the ceremony of Akshara abhyasam for their children. This is potentially done before they start their school education. During the ceremony, children perform various activities such as the exercise of letters and further devote pens, books, pencils, and notebooks to Goddess Saraswati.
Besides this, special celebrations and poojas are held during Maha Shivratri. There is also a beautiful mountain nearby which is visited by many people having the Goddess Saraswati Idol present at the top.
Gnana Saraswati Temple, Telangana: Basar, Nirmal, Telangana 504101, India
India’s Lesser-Known Temples in North
Martand Sun Temple, Jammu, and Kashmir
If you are looking to visit India’s Lesser-known temples in the North, then this can be one of the best options for you. Martland Sun Temple is situated in the Kashmir valley and it was constructed in the eighth century AD by Lalitaditya Muktapida. This is a very holy temple that is dedicated to Surya.
The temple is built on the top of the plateau from where the complete Kashmir valley can be viewed. It is undoubtedly the best specimen that you will get of Kashmiri architecture.
Further, it is equipped with a colonnaded courtyard while the primary shrine is present at the center. Other than this, it is surrounded by 84 smaller shrines as well. Lastly, lime mortar equipped with grey limestone was used for constructing the temple.
Martand Sun Temple, Jammu and Kashmir: Anantnag, Jammu and Kashmir 192101, India
Brahma Temple, Rajasthan
This temple is based out in Pushkar, Rajasthan and you should pay a visit to it. It is dedicated to God Bharma who is deemed the creator of Hinduism. Adding to it, the temple was created in the 14th century and it is made using stone slabs and marble.
It has a beautiful entrance gate which is decorated alongside pillared canopies. Some of the distinct features that you will find in this temple are the Hamsa symbol and Brahma Mount. Lastly, this temple is visited by pilgrims from all across India after taking a bath in the holy Puskar lake.
Brahma Temple Road, Ganahera, Pushkar, Rajasthan 305022, India
Jakhoo Temple, Himachal Pradesh
Jakhoo Temple is an ancient Hindu temple located in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, India. The temple is dedicated to Lord Hanuman, the monkey god, and is situated at the Jakhoo Hill, the highest peak in Shimla. The temple is a popular destination for both devotees and tourists visiting Shimla.
The temple is believed to have been built around 250 years ago, and it houses a 108-feet-tall statue of Lord Hanuman, which is visible from almost every part of Shimla. The statue was erected in 2010, and it is said to be the largest statue of Lord Hanuman in the world.
Over here, you can witness a very special spiritual ambiance that is certainly going to heal you. The best part is that you can access the temple easily by taxi, foot, horse, or ropeway. Over here, you will witness the idol of Lord Hanuman which is one of the tallest that you will find in the country.
To reach the temple, one can take a short hike up the Jakhoo Hill or take a ropeway ride. The hike to the temple takes about 30-45 minutes and is a popular activity for visitors. The temple is open from early morning until late evening, and there is no entry fee to visit the temple.
Apart from the religious significance, the Jakhoo Temple also offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains and the city of Shimla. Visitors can enjoy the peaceful surroundings and take in the scenic beauty of the area. The temple is a must-visit attraction for anyone visiting Shimla.
Jakhoo Temple, Jakhoo Hill, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh 171001
India’s Lesser-Known Temples in East
Kamakhya Devi Temple, Assam
Kamakhya Devi Temple in Assam is one of India’s lesser-known temples that you should explore.
It is based out in Guwahati, Assam and it is perhaps the oldest of 51 Shakti Peethas that you can ideally find in the Indian subcontinent. Over here, you won’t find any sculpture but rather the vagina or yoni of Devi Sati which is covered alongside with red silk sari.
It is known that every year during the time of monsoon, the goddess menstruates, and during that time the temple is closed for 3 days. Also, during that time, the Ambubachi Mela is celebrated and then the temple reopens on the fourth day.
There is also an underground spring present that flows in the temple sanctum which turns red in three days. Further, devotees are given Prasad in the form of red cloth which is used on yoni stone during the menstruation period.
JKamakhya Temple Road, Kamakhya, Guwahati, Assam 781010, India.
Samdruptse Hill, Sikkim
Samdruptse Hill which is based out in Sikkim is perhaps the largest Buddhist statue that you can get in Padmasambhava. The meaning of Samdruptse Hill is the hill in which all the wishes are fulfilled. It is perhaps used by several local monks who perhaps tend to worship the Hill.
It is India’s lesser-known temple which stands 120 feet tall. The statue is made using shimmering bronze and copper and it is situated in the Kanchenjunga range which provides very beautiful sights for visitors.
Samdruptse Hill, Namchi, South Sikkim, Sikkim – 737126 India
Unakoti Hill Temples, Tripura
This is perhaps one of the most popular temples that you can get in the northeastern part of India. Worshippers from all over the country come to this temple to offer prayers. Here you will find Hindu pantheon images craved on the hills. Alongside this, picturesque waterfalls and the mountain scenery can add up a lot of charm.
A mythological fact that is associated with the temple is that one sculptor request Lord Shiva to take kailash alongside him. But Lord Shiva made a condition that he need to make 1 crore statues of him in one single night. The sculptor worked all night but when it was counted, then the statues that were made were one less than a crore. Hence, the name was given as Unakot.
Unakoti Hill Temples, Kailashahar, Unakoti District, Tripura – 799277
Biharinath Temple, West Bengal
If you are a dedicated worshipper or silent nature lover, then this temple is the perfect choice for you. There is a small temple of Lord Shiva that is present on the foothills. Thus, the hill is named after the god. Also, it can create a peaceful space in your mind through the sound of the temple bell, whispering streams, eye-soothing scenic beauty, etc. Over here, the Mahashivrati festival is hosted in a great manner and thus pilgrims from all across India come here to celebrate it. The best part is that food and other facilities are present around the temple.
Biharinath Temple, Biharinath Hill, Bankura district, West Bengal, India
Lingaraj Temple, Odisha
Lingaraj temple situated in Bhubaneswar, Odisha is a famous Hindu Temple that is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The center tower that is present in the temple is about 55m tall. The temple was constructed using Kalinga Architecture and it was built by the kings of the Somavamsi Dynasty. Further, the temple has four components i.e. vimana, bhoga-mandapa, jagamohana, and natamandira.
On average about 6000 people visit daily and lakhs during the time of the festival. Shivratri is perhaps the most important festival that is celebrated over here.
One great attraction that you will find in this temple is the Bindusagar Temple which is present on the north end side of the temple. It is about 1300 ft. long and 700 ft. wide. There is also a beautiful garden present which is named Ekamra Van.
Lingaraj Road, Old Town, Bhubaneswar, Odisha 751002, India
Tarakeswar Temple, West Bengal
Tarakeswar temple is located about 58 km from Kolkata and is a popular pilgrimage destination for devotees of Lord Shiva. It is believed that the deity in the temple has the power to cure illnesses and bless his devotees with prosperity and happiness. The temple complex also includes several other shrines and is known for its beautiful architecture and serene surroundings.
This is another one of India’s lesser-known temples that you can potentially visit. It was built in the year 1729 and it is located in Tarakeshwar, West Bengal. Further, it is constructed using the Bengal temple architecture and the shrines of Lakshmi Narayan and Kali are situated nearby.
By visiting the temple, it is believed that you can get food health, and life using which anything can be achieved quite easily. Pilgrims visit the temple throughout the complete year, especially on Mondays. Other than this, thousands of people visit during the time of Gajan and Shivaratri.
Taraknath Mandir Road, Tarakeswar, Hooghly district, West Bengal – 712410, India.
India’s Lesser-Known Temples in West
Shree Kshetra Pandharpur, Maharashtra
This beautiful temple is built using marble stones and it is spanned in 8 acres. Besides this, it has an entrance gate 72 feet high and 51 feet wide which is built in Dholpuri stones and attracts a lot of visitors. The best part is that you will get all the facilities in the temple which includes food and lodging.
In this temple, arati is performed while following all the rituals, and then Naivedya is given to devotees. During the normal day, about 10-15 thousand people visit the temple while around the festival 4-5 Lakh people rush to the temple.
Shree Vitthal-Rukmini Temple, Bhakta Niwas, Pandharpur – 413304, Tal. Pandharpur, Dist. Solapur, Maharashtra, India.
Shree Kopeshwar Temple, Maharashtra
This temple may not be as big as other temples that are mentioned above in the list but it certainly stands out in its own way.
It is located in the Kolhapur district of Maharashtra and it was built in the 12th century. Moreover, it was constructed by the kings of Yadava and Shilahara.
This is one of India’s lesser-known temples and it is divided into four parts. Further, it is connected by vestibules and it has 48 intricately carved pillars having a wide range of shapes. Lastly, the total weight of the temple is taken care of by the elephant-like structure that is present at the base.
Shree Kopeshwar Temple, Kopeshwarwadi, Khidrapur, Taluka Shirol, Kolhapur, Maharashtra – 416101, India.
Final Verdict
If you are looking to visit India’s lesser-known temples, then the above list can very well help you. All of these temples are good in their way and share unique architecture.
So, you can visit each of them at your convenience. Additionally, you can get in touch with TheTopTours on +91 7075982162 who can arrange a tour package for you at a very economical price point while offering a great set of features.
Happy Exploring!
