Unique temples that even Indians won’t believe exist
Across India there exist unique temples, where either the deities are unexpected, or the rituals followed are absurd, unconventional, and at times, simply strange.
Here, we are listing ten unique temples across India that will shock you about their existence.
Shaheed Baba Nihal Singh Gurudwara
Devotees offer toy planes in this Gurudwara in the hope that their prayers to go abroad will be answered.
Location: Talhan village, Jalandhar
Mehandipur Balaji Mandir
Dedicated to God Hanuman, it is known for its rituals of spiritualistic healing via exorcism of evil spirits.
Devotees are expected to not look back at the temple once they leave and the sight of devotees banging their head or hanging from walls is not unusual.
Location: Dausa district, Rajasthan
Sachin
It is not just the superstars, but the God of cricket Sachin Tendulkar also has a temple in Bihar.
It holds his life-sized statue and he is worshipped as a real God here.
Location: Atarwalia, Bihar
The Dog
People built a temple for dogs in Channapatna's Ramanagar district, complete with a figure of a dog as a diety, to idolize the dog's faithful nature.
Location: Channapatna, Karnataka
Poruvazhy Peruviruthy Malanada
It's the only temple in India dedicated to Duryodhana, from the Indian epic mythology Mahabharat.
Considering the widespread belief that Kauravas were evildoers, having Duryodhana as the principal deity in a temple is definitely unique.
Location: Kollam district, Kerala
Om Banna
This is a shrine dedicated to a motorcycle, specifically a 350cc Royal Enfield Bullet.
Devotees pray here for a safe journey.
Location: Pali, Jodhpur
Chinese Kali Mata
While there is no dearth of Kali Ma temples in India, this temple in Kolkata's Chinatown district is unique because it has a Hindu deity worshipped in a Chinese manner.
Location: Tangra, Kolkata
Amitabh Bachchan
Sanjay Patodia considers himself as a devotee and not a fan of superstar Amitabh Bachchan and thus constructed a temple dedicated to him.
Earlier it had a throne, a pair of the shoes he wore in his movie Agneepath, and a frame with the star's image.
Last year the All Bengal Amitabh Bachchan Fans' Association, added a 25-kg statue of the actor in the temple.
Location: Ballygunge, Kolkata
Sonia Gandhi
To express their gratitude for creating Telangana state, Congress leaders of the district built a temple dedicated to Sonia Gandhi, former President of The Indian National Congress.
Location: Mallial town, Jagtial, Telangana
Bharat Mata
Constructed before partition, in 1936, the temple is dedicated to India, literally, and has a huge map of undivided India carved in marble instead of traditional deity statues.
Location: Varanasi