Mythical temples of India are present in the numerous Indian states and are associated with unique legends and mythology belonging to various religions, particularly Hinduism. The different Shakti Peethas are among the various mythical temples of the country. Places located in Northern India, Southern India, Eastern India and Western India possesses many mythical temples which draw millions of tourists every year and are major tourist attractions.
Mythical Temples of Northern India
The northern parts of India contain numerous mythical temples, located in the north-Indian states like Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. Amarnath Temple, Jammu and Kashmir is visited by tourists from the entire nation. The Amarnath Cave possesses an ice stalagmite, which is considered to be the sacred `Shiva Linga" by Hindu devotees. According to a Hindu myth, it is believed that Lord Shiva had explained the secrets of life and eternal truth to his consort Parvati in this cave. The cave has two others ice formations, which are worshipped as Parvati and Lord Ganesha, the son of Shiva and Parvati. Himachal Pradesh boasts of two mythical temples: Naina Devi temple and Jwalamukhi temple. Naina Devi temple is one of the 51 `shakti peethas` and it is believed that Sati`s eye fell at this place, where this temple is constructed. The myth associated with Jwalamukhi temple is that Sati`s tongue dropped here. The Banke Bihari Temple located in Uttarakhand which is dedicated to Lord Shiva is another mythical temple in North India.
Mythical Temples of Eastern India
The states of Assam, West Bengal, Orissa and others comprise of some mythical temples dedicated to Hindu deities. Tarapith Temple dedicated to Goddess Tara, Kalighat Kali Temple and Dakshineshwar Kali Temple dedicated to Goddess Kali in West Bengal, Kamakhya Temple dedicated to Goddess Kamakhya, Assam and Jagannath Temple dedicated to Lord Jagannath, Balarama and Subhadra, Puri, Orissa are some of the mythical temples situated in this portion of India. Tarapith Temple, Kalighat Temple and Kamakhya Temples are important shakti peethas.
Mythical Temples of Southern India
Temples in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala are mythological and legendary. Andhra Pradesh`s Simhachalam Temple dedicated to Lord Narasimha, an avatar of Lord Vishnu, Asaravalli Temple dedicated to the Sun God, Lord Surya are steeped in famous legends involving these deities. Tiruttanikai Murugan Temple dedicated to Lord Murugan in Tamil Nadu, Murudeshwar Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva in Karnataka, Attukal Bhagavathi Temple dedicated to Goddess Kannaki or Parvati and Durgaparameshwari Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva in Kerala are the various mythical temples in Southern India.
Mythical Temples of Western India
Rajasthan, Maharashtra and Goa consist of some beautiful, mythical Hindu temples. Bhadra Maruti Temple, Khuldabad and Mahalakshmi Temple, Kolhapur in Maharashtra, Govind Dev Ji Temple, Jaipur and Sas Bahu Temple of Udaipur are among the renowned mythical temples of the Western portion of the country.
India contains innumerable temples, beautifies by architectural grandeur which are homes to different myths and legends. Though many Hindu temples have been demolished, there are thousands of temples which are associated with various legends.