India is often called the land of temples — but beyond the well-trodden paths to Kedarnath, Tirupati, and Kashi Vishwanath lies a quieter world. Scattered across mountains, forests, and coastlines are hidden temples in India where a floating pillar defies gravity, an offering of liquor vanishes into stone, and the highest Shiva shrine of the Panch Kedar waits above the clouds.
If you want to step off the tourist trail, here are seven hidden and mysterious temples worth visiting at least once in your life — each with the practical details you’ll need to actually get there.
1. Tungnath Temple, Uttarakhand – The Highest Shiva Shrine of the Panch Kedar
Perched at 3,680 metres (12,073 feet) in the Garhwal Himalayas, Tungnath is one of the highest Shiva temples in the world and the highest of the five sacred Panch Kedar temples. Believed to be more than a thousand years old, legend ties it to the Pandavas, who built it where Lord Shiva’s arms are said to have emerged from the earth.
The 4 km trek from Chopta is as rewarding as the shrine itself — stone-paved trails winding through meadows and rhododendron, with snow-capped peaks on every side. Two kilometres further lies Chandrashila peak, where the sunrise over the Himalayas is unforgettable.
Quick Facts
Location: Rudraprayag district, Uttarakhand
Deity: Lord Shiva
Altitude: 3,680 m (12,073 ft)
How to reach: 4 km trek from Chopta; nearest railhead Rishikesh (~200 km), nearest airport Dehradun
Best time: April–June and September–November (closes in winter due to snow)
2. Lepakshi Temple, Andhra Pradesh – The Pillar That Floats in Air
Lepakshi’s most famous mystery hangs in plain sight: one of its 70 pillars rests slightly off the ground, and visitors still pass cloth beneath it. Engineers and historians have puzzled over the hanging pillar for centuries, and no one has fully explained it.
Built in the stunning Vijayanagara style, the temple is covered in intricate carvings, ancient murals, and legends tied to the Ramayana — it’s said to be where the bird Jatayu fell after battling Ravana. For history lovers and spiritual seekers alike, it is a true hidden gem.
Quick Facts
Location: Lepakshi, Anantapur district, Andhra Pradesh
Deity: Veerabhadra (a form of Shiva)
How to reach: ~120 km from Bengaluru by road; nearest railhead Hindupur (~15 km)
Best time: October–March
3. Kal Bhairav Temple, Ujjain – Where Liquor Is Offered to a God
In the sacred city of Ujjain, one ritual draws disbelief from every first-time visitor: devotees offer liquor to Lord Kal Bhairav, a fierce manifestation of Shiva. The alcohol is raised to the deity’s lips in a shallow plate — and appears to vanish. The phenomenon has intrigued pilgrims and sceptics for generations.
Beyond the spectacle, the temple is a window into the sheer diversity of Hindu worship, preserving Tantric traditions rarely seen elsewhere.
Quick Facts
Location: Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh
Deity: Kal Bhairav (form of Shiva)
How to reach: ~8 km from Ujjain Junction; nearest airport Indore (~55 km)
Best time: October–March (and during Kumbh/Simhastha Mela)
4. Murudeshwar Temple, Karnataka – Shiva Above the Arabian Sea
Standing on a headland jutting into the Arabian Sea, Murudeshwar is crowned by one of the tallest Shiva statues in the world — over 120 feet of the meditating god gazing out across the water. The setting alone makes it one of India’s most cinematic temples.
Unlike the crush of major pilgrimage centres, Murudeshwar stays calm. The 20-storey gopuram has a lift to a viewing gallery, and the sunset over the sea is reason enough to time your visit for evening.
Quick Facts
Location: Murudeshwar, Uttara Kannada district, Karnataka
Deity: Lord Shiva
How to reach: Murudeshwar railway station (on Konkan route); nearest airport Mangaluru (~165 km)
Best time: October–February
5. Jageshwar Temple Complex, Uttarakhand – Over 100 Shrines in a Deodar Forest
Tucked into a dense deodar forest, Jageshwar is not one temple but a cluster of over 100 ancient stone shrines, most dedicated to Lord Shiva and dating back several centuries. The carved spires rising among towering cedars give the whole valley a timeless, otherworldly stillness.
Many visitors describe Jageshwar as one of the most spiritually charged places in the Himalayas — mist, silence, and ancient stone in equal measure.
Quick Facts
Location: Almora district, Uttarakhand
Deity: Lord Shiva (as Jageshwar / Yogeshwar)
How to reach: ~36 km from Almora by road; nearest railhead Kathgodam (~125 km)
Best time: April–June and September–October
6. Why Visit Hidden Temples?
Hidden temples offer something the famous circuits often can’t — peace. Away from crowds and commercial tourism, these sites let you connect more deeply with spirituality, nature, and India’s living cultural heritage. Each carries its own story, architecture, ritual, and legend, preserved for centuries.
7. Final Thoughts
India’s hidden temples are more than places of worship; they are living pieces of history that continue to inspire devotion and wonder. Whether you’re a spiritual seeker, a history enthusiast, or a traveller chasing unique experiences, these lesser-known shrines deserve a place on your bucket list. Sometimes the most meaningful journeys lead not to the most famous destinations, but to the hidden corners where faith, history, and beauty meet.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the highest Shiva temple in India?
Tungnath Temple in Uttarakhand, at 3,680 m (12,073 ft), is widely regarded as one of the highest Shiva temples in the world and the highest of the five Panch Kedar temples.
Why is liquor offered at the Kal Bhairav temple in Ujjain?
Kal Bhairav is a fierce Tantric form of Lord Shiva, and offering liquor is part of the temple’s centuries-old ritual tradition. The offering is raised to the deity’s lips and appears to mysteriously disappear, a phenomenon that has fascinated devotees for generations.
What is the mystery of the Lepakshi hanging pillar?
One of the 70 pillars at Lepakshi Temple rests slightly off the ground, and visitors can pass cloth beneath it. Despite its age and the weight it supports, the pillar appears to hang — a feat of Vijayanagara engineering that still puzzles experts.
How do I reach Tungnath Temple?
Tungnath is reached by a 4 km trek from Chopta in Uttarakhand. The nearest railhead is Rishikesh (about 200 km) and the nearest airport is Dehradun. The temple closes during winter due to heavy snowfall.
What is the best time to visit these hidden temples?
For Himalayan temples like Tungnath and Jageshwar, April–June and September–November are ideal. For southern and coastal temples like Lepakshi and Murudeshwar, October–March offers the most pleasant weather.
Editorial Review Note
Religion World is the country's only website that provides complete information on all religions. Religion World will always present information about all religions impartially. You can send us all kinds of information, news, updates, opinions, and suggestions at religionworldin@gmail.com.You can also follow us on X (Twitter), Facebook, and YouTube.