- India is a land of temples! You’d find one practically in every nook and corner of the country and this doesn’t come as a surprise what with the millions of gods we Indians pray to. We Indians take our religion and beliefs very seriously. However, these religious beliefs have some strange manifestations as well and these have resulted in the strangest temples in India. Let us take a look...
THE CHINESE KALI TEMPLE IN TANGRA, KOLKATA
The Chinese Kali Temple in Tangra Kolkata is not famous for its idol of Kali Maa. But it is the prasad that brings scores of devotees to her doorstep. Like her name, the temple offers noodles, Chinese fried rice, and vegetables as prasad. The town of Tangra has a lot of Chinese population who follow either Buddhism or Christianity. But they all come together in a cultural synthesis at this Kali Temple.
THE AIRPLANE TEMPLE, JALANDHAR
The Airplane temple or the Aeroplane Gurudwara in the Daoba District is famous in North India. Home to Shahid baba Nihal Singh, devotees who wish to fulfil their desires of travelling abroad, offer aeroplane models here. Shop owners around the Gurudwara offer plastic planes of various sizes for devotees who wish to offer something.
THE TRISHUND GANAPATI TEMPLE IN SOMVAR PETH, PUNE
If you happen to be in Somvar Peth area, you must visit the unique ‘Trishund’ Ganapati Temple in the area. It is unique majority due to the one and only Ganesh idol in the country that has three trunks as it is aptly called ‘Trishund’. Also, interestingly, this is the only temple in Pune to be built completely in stone by Bhimjigiri Gosavi between 1754 – 1770 AD.
THE RAVANA TEMPLE IN RAVANGRAM, VIDISHA DISTRICT, MADHYA PRADESH
We revere Lord Rama, the purshottam while Ravana is looked down upon. However, even though Ravana is the ultimate villain according to Hindu mythology, many Indian Hindus pray to Lord Ravan as well. This holds true for people in living the Ravanagram village in the Vidisha district of Madhya Pradesh. Here one will find the ancient relic, i.e. the 10 feet tall idol of Ravana in an ‘araam’ or reclining position.
THE KALI SINGH TEMPLE IN MUZAFFARNAGAR DISTRICT, UTTAR PRADESH
We worship our cattle, especially cows; ‘Gai humari mata hai’ and the Kali Singh temple is a place where cattle is worshipped. This temple was built in honour of the local veterinarian Kali Singh. Devotees flock to the temple from far and wide, offering milk and prayers to cattle animals. Many women prepare kheer from milk obtained these offerings to the deity.
THE HADIMBA OR HIDIMBA TEMPLE IN MANALI
Hidimba, Bhima’s wife and Ghatotkacha’s mother from Hindu mythology has been honoured with a temple in Manali. This temple is unlike any other Hindu temple in architecture as it is a wooden, three-storey temple built in the pagoda style. The temple was built here as it is believed that here is where Hidimba meditated and became Devi Hidimba.
THE VISA BABA TEMPLE OF THE CHILKUR BALAJI TEMPLE IN HYDERABAD
The Visa granting Balaji or lord Venkateshwara who is the presiding deity of this Temple in Hyderabad is very popular especially amongst students or individuals who are facing Visa issues. It is said that in the 1980s a bunch of students from Chennai who were facing problems with their USA visa, offered their prayers here and they were answered! The rest is history! Also, another unique fact about this temple is that it doesn’t have a donation box.
THE AMITABH BACHCHAN TEMPLE IN KOLKATA
Strange are the ways of Indian beliefs! We love our gods but we love some human beings even more! And the legendary Indian actor, amitabh Bachchan is definitely on top of this list. Here Bachchan Sr. Is seen as God and devotees flock from all across the state to offer their prayers to him. They even sing hymns in his name.
THE BHARAT MATA TEMPLE IN VARANASI
The fervour of patriotism is forever alive in us Indians and what a better way to honour this feeling than building a temple entirely dedicated to our Bharat Mata or Mother India. Located in Varanasi, built by Babu Shiv Prasad Gupt, it was inaugurated by the father of the nation, Mahatma Gandhi himself in 1936. The deity here is, of course, Mother India, built in the form of the entire Indian map in marble. This temple honours everyone who participated in the formation of India as a nation.
THE DOG TEMPLE IN KARNATAKA
Dogs are wonderful creatures. They are loyal, faithful, selflessly loving and of course very protective of their loved ones. And to honour, these qualities in dogs, a community in Karnataka has built a temple where the dog is a deity. They believe that these wonderful qualities of a dog can surely help mankind become a better species. Also, a dog’s qualities of fighting for wrong doings is also taken into consideration.- Source.. astrospeak.com
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