India is home to numerous ancient temples, which are hidden and underrated. These temples are perfect alternatives to visit instead of the popular pilgrimage sites that are crowded all year long. These temples tend to offer a peaceful, crowd-free, hassle-free, and mindful spiritual experience. So if you are looking to explore India’s peaceful spiritual side rather than taking the usual popular pilgrimage routes, here are some lesser-known temples to visit in India.
Lesser-Known Temples In India
Trishund Ganapati Temple, Maharashtra
The Trishund Ganapati Temple is a 270-year-old heritage shrine that is located in Pune’s Sonwar Peth in Maharashtra. It was constructed between 1754 and 1770 using black Deccan basalt stone. It houses one of the rarest depictions of the Hindu god, Lord Ganesha. The idol of Lord Ganesha here has three trunks, six arms, and is seated over a peacock instead of his traditional vehicle, the mouse. Built during the Peshwa era, this temple’s architecture beautifully blends South Indian, Malwa and Rajasthani design elements. The idol is carved out of pure black basalt rock and is believed to be Lord Ganesha’s tantric form.
Kukke Subramanya Temple, Karnataka
Known as an ancient Hindu pilgrimage site, Kukke Shri Subramanya is a powerful temple that is dedicated to Lord Kartikeya. The Hindu god, Lord Kartikeya is known as the lord of all serpents and here is worshipped as Lord Subramanya. Devotees flock here to get rid of Naga Dosha or astrological curses. This temple offers free vegetarian meals everyday in the afternoon to all the devotees. It is believed that the king of serpents Vasuki sought refuge from Garuda here. Hence the main sanctum of the temple houses Vasuki, Adishesha and Lord Subramanya together.
Also Read: 7 Mysterious Temples In India That Defy Logic and Science
Tapkeshwar Mahadev, Uttarakhand
The Tapkeshwar Mahadev mandir is an ancient cave shrine that is nestled on the banks of Asan River in Dehradun. The temple has a natural cave formation with water droplets continuously falling on the self manifested Shiva linga here. The continuous falling of water droplets gave the temple its name. This temple houses natural sulphur springs which are said to have magical healing properties. It also hosts a fair on Mahashivratri with ceremonial marriage rituals of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati here. There are neighbouring shrines dedicated to Lord Hanuman and Goddess Santoshi here as well.
Also Read: Famous Temples To Visit In Trichy
Bhootnatha Temples, Karnataka
The Bhootnatha temples are a cluster of sandstone shrines which are located on the eastern banks of the Agastya lake in Karnataka’s Badami. It is dedicated to Lord Shiva in his manifestation as the Lord of Spirits or Souls, Bhootnatha. These structures are the testament of the beauty of South Indian architecture as they sit against the massive red sandstone cliffs. The temple has sacred gatekeepers carved along the doorways of the main shrine. These are Hindu river goddesses, Ganga and Yamuna on right and left respectively. Visiting this temple becomes a bit difficult during monsoon as the Agastya lake fills up.
Also Read: 10 Temples In India That Will Leave You Spellbound
Mannarasala Sree Nagaraja Temple , Kerala
The Mannarasala Sree Nagraja Temple in Kerala is an ancient shrine located in a sacred forest glade in Kerala’s Haripad. It is dedicated to Nagaraja or serpent king and his consort Nagayakshi. The temple is known as a powerful center of snake worship in Kerala. It has over 1,00,000 stone sculptures of lord snakes lined up beneath the sprawling roots of the trees of the jungle. It is the only Hindu temple in Kerala where all the pujas and rituals are carried by a woman and is known as Valiamma or spiritual mother.
Kera Temple, Gujarat
The Kera Shiva temple which is locally worshipped as Shree Lakheshwar Shiva Temple is one of the unexplored temples in India. It is a 1000 year-old historic monument and houses a shiv lingam in its inner sanctum. A major portion of the outer assembly hall of this temple is in ruins because of historic earthquakes that happened here. The miracle here is that even though many historic earthquakes took place the inner sanctum is sound structurally. It is a quiet meditative spot and has very less crowd compared to other popular temples. It is one of the most peaceful temples in India.
Also Read: Top 10 Jain Temples In India Every Devotee Should Visit
Summing Up
We have listed some of the most underrated and some hidden temples in India that you must visit once. These temples let you explore a very serene side of India’s spiritual episode offering an enchanting experience making you come back. So make sure you save and share this article ASAP.
FAQS
Which Are The Lesser Known Temples In India?
Trishund Ganapati temple in Maharashtra and Kera temple in Gujarat’s Kutch are some lesser known temples in India.
What Are The Most Underrated Temples In India?
Kukke Subramanya temple in Karnataka and Mannarasala Sree Nagraja Temple in Kerala are the most underrated temples in India.
Which Hidden Temples Are Worth Visiting In India?
Trishund Ganapati temple in Maharashtra is worth visiting in India.
Which Temples In India Are Not Crowded?
Trishund Ganapati temple in Maharashtra, Kera temple in Gujarat, Bhootanatha temple in Karnataka are some temples in India that are not crowded.
Which Ancient Temples Have Unique Architecture In India?
Kailasa temple in Ellora, Khajuraho temples in Madhya Pradesh and Konark Sun Temple in Puri are some ancient temples that have unique architecture in India.
