Quirky temples of India highlight diversity of beliefs
From Chinese Kali to Channapatna, temples that inspire devotion
India, a deeply religious country where the divine is held close to the heart, is also home to temples that follow quirky yet highly symbolic traditions. Here are six unique temples that continue to be revered by people.
India is a land where at the distance of a km lies a unique story, be it through its food, traditions, languages or landscapes. And this diversity is not limited to these aspects of the Indian society and the land, but also extends to its spirituality.
A believer’s connection with the divine takes countless forms, inspiring traditions that have endured for centuries, especially in the sacred spaces of temples.
These traditions, each rich in history and meaning, reflect the profound devotion and cultural heritage of communities.
But within this spiritual realm, lies a treasure trove of temple traditions, some so unique and unusual that they may seem downright bizarre, yet they hold deep cultural and historical significance for those that believe in these.
Discover six temples that follow these quirky yet richly symbolic traditions, offering a window into the extraordinary blend of faith and culture that defines this country.
Chinese Kali Temple, Kolkata, West Bengal

Chinese Kali temple (Photo: Shutterstock)
Usually, devotees offer traditional sweets as sacred offerings to deities. However, in the ‘City of Joy’, there is a temple where noodles, chop suey, and fried rice are offered to Goddess Kali. Known as the Chinese Kali Temple, this unique place of worship is located in Kolkata’s Tangra area, famously referred to as Chinatown.
Visited by both Bengali and Chinese devotees, the temple’s origins trace back to a touching legend. According to it, a Chinese boy, gravely ill and unresponsive to treatment, was brought by his grieving parents to a black stone altar under a tree, worshipped as an incarnation of Goddess Kali. After they prayed, the boy miraculously recovered. In gratitude, the parents built a temple dedicated to the goddess at that very spot.
In this temple, local Chinese devotees regularly offer their prayers, light incense sticks, and burn handmade papers, similar to rituals performed in churches. To this day, the black stone and the tree on its base remain enshrined inside the temple.
Kal Bhairava temple, Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh

Kaal Bhairava Temple (Photo: Wikimedia Commons)
Situated on the banks of the Kshipra River in Ujjain, the revered Kal Bhairava Temple is a prominent Hindu shrine in the heart of India. Located 7 km from the city, this temple is dedicated to Kal Bhairav, a fierce form of Lord Shiva and the guardian deity of Ujjain.
What makes this temple unique is its tradition of offering liquor to the deity, a practice rarely seen in other temples.
Constructed by King Bhadrasen between 9th and 13th century CE, the ritual involves the priest pouring liquor into a saucer, which is then placed against the deity’s lips, where a slit is present. Later, the saucer is slightly tilted, and within a few minutes, the liquor disappears!!
Adding to the temple’s distinctiveness, vendors outside sell pooja baskets that include a bottle of liquor along with traditional offerings, like flowers and coconuts.
Kodungalloor Bharani, Thrissur, Kerala

Kodungalloor Bharani (Photo: Kerala Tourism)
In the southern part of India lies the Kodungalloor Bharani temple, dedicated to Goddess Bhadrakali. Located in the Thrissur district, the temple hosts one of the most intense annual celebrations, the Bharani Festival.
During the festival, devotees dressed in red wield ceremonial swords and honour the goddess by striking their heads with the blades. A ritual dance is also performed as part of the festivities. Additionally, cocks are sacrificed during the event, which results in the shedding of blood.
Chamatkari Visa Waale Hanuman mandir, Delhi
It is said that when you truly wish for something, the universe conspires to make it happen. At Delhi’s Chamatkari Visa Waale Hanuman Mandir, devotees take this belief to heart, praying for their visas to be approved and their travel dreams fulfilled.
Located in Neb Sarai on the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) Road, this unique temple dedicated to Lord Hanuman has gained fame for granting such wishes.
Established in 2007, it draws visitors from across the country who come seeking divine intervention for their overseas journeys.
In a distinctive ritual, devotees write their wishes in red ink on paper and present them to the deity, revered as the remover of obstacles. Upon their visa’s approval, they return to express gratitude by leaving thank-you notes in a special register maintained for this purpose.
Karni Mata Temple, Rajasthan

Karni Mata Temple (Photo: Rajasthan Tourism)
Rajasthan, celebrated for its majestic forts, palaces, and vast deserts, is also home to unique temples with distinctive rituals. Among them is the Karni Mata Temple, a temple dedicated to rats!
Located 30 km south of Bikaner in Deshnoke, this temple honors the warrior sage Karni Mata and is home to over 25,000 rats that freely roam the premises.
According to local legend, Karni Mata’s stepson, Laxman, drowned while attempting to drink water from the Kapil Sarovar in Kolayat Tehsil.
Grief-stricken, Karni Mata fervently prayed to Yama, the god of death, who was moved by her sorrow and agreed to bring Laxman back to life. However, he was reincarnated not as a human but as a rat, along with Karni Mata’s other sons.
At this temple, devotees often bring sweets, milk, and other offerings for the rats, especially the white ones, believed to be incarnations of Karni Mata and her sons. Visitors go to great lengths to draw these revered white rats out of their hiding spots.
Channapatna Dog Temple, Ramanagara, Karnataka
Have you heard of a place of worship where dogs are revered? In India, such a temple exists, the Channapatna dog Temple.
Located in Karnataka’s Ramanagara district, about 60 km from Bengaluru, this unique temple was built in 2010 by a businessman named Ramesh and is dedicated to the village deity, Goddess Kempamma.
According to local legend, the villagers were once instructed by the Goddess to find two dogs that had disappeared, as they were vital to protecting the village from evil. When the dogs couldn’t be found, statues of them were installed in the temple. These statues are still worshipped by devotees today.
These temples serve as small examples of the diverse places of worship in India, which continue to preserve and celebrate traditions that have lasted for millennia. Whether bizarre or not, these unique temples remain shaped by people’s beliefs and their devotion to the divine.