India, the land of traditions, cultures, and spiritual mysteries, is home to thousands of temples that exude peace, wisdom, and a profound sense of the divine. However, amidst the harmony of chimes, the fragrance of incense, and the reverberation of mantras, lies an unconventional streak.
Some temples in this diverse land of spirituality invite only women into their holy sanctums, an intriguing inversion of traditions that defies the stereotypes of gender roles in religious spaces. This blog brings to you a list of nine such unique temples in India, where men are not allowed to tread.
List of 8 Famous Temples in India Where Men Are Not Allowed:
1. Santoshi Mata Temple, Jodhpur, Rajasthan
Nestled in the regal city of Jodhpur, the Santoshi Mata Temple, dedicated to Goddess Santoshi – the Goddess of Satisfaction, is one where men are forbidden from entering.
Legend has it that the divine energy of this temple amplifies on Fridays, inviting women from far and wide to seek peace, happiness, and familial harmony.
Why Visit: Santoshi Mata Temple is revered for its strong spiritual aura and is dedicated to Santoshi Mata, the goddess of satisfaction and contentment. The temple is unique because it observes a “Naari Puja” (women’s worship) ritual annually, attracting female devotees.
Special Rules: Men are not allowed to participate in the Naari Puja ritual.
How to Reach:
- By Air: The nearest airport is Jodhpur Airport, about 7 km away.
- By Train: Jodhpur Junction is the closest railway station, approximately 5 km away.
- By Road: Regular buses and taxis are available from various parts of Rajasthan to Jodhpur.
2. Attukal Bhagavathy Temple, Kerala
Dubbed the “Sabarimala of Women”, the Attukal Bhagavathy Temple in Kerala holds a unique place in the annals of Hindu pilgrimage sites.
Men are not allowed during the grand Attukal Pongala festival, a massive event where millions of women gather to offer ‘Pongal‘ (a sweet dish), making it a sight to behold. The Guinness World Records recognizes this spectacle as the largest annual gathering of women globally.
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Why Visit: Known as the “Sabarimala of Women,” the Attukal Bhagavathy Temple is famous for the Attukal Pongala festival, during which millions of women gather to offer Pongala to the goddess.
Special Rules: Men are not allowed during the Attukal Pongala festival.
How to Reach:
- By Air: Thiruvananthapuram International Airport is around 7 km away.
- By Train: The nearest railway station is Thiruvananthapuram Central, about 3 km away.
- By Road: Well-connected by road, with frequent buses and taxis available.
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3. Chakkulathukavu Temple, Kerala
Another temple from God’s Own Country, the Chakkulathukavu Temple, venerates Goddess Durga. The highlight of this temple is the annual ritual known as ‘Naari Puja’.
On the first Friday of December, it is a sight of divine feminism where the temple priests wash the feet of women devotees, treating them as incarnations of the Goddess.
Why Visit: This temple is known for its unique ritual where women perform priestly duties during the annual “Naari Puja”.
Special Rules: Only married women are allowed to perform priestly duties during the festival.
How to Reach:
- By Air: Cochin International Airport is around 115 km away.
- By Train: The nearest railway station is Thiruvalla, about 10 km away.
- By Road: Accessible by road with buses and taxis available from nearby cities.
4. Bhagwati Maa Temple, Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu
Situated at the southernmost tip of India, the Bhagwati Maa Temple worships Kanya Kumari, an avatar of Goddess Parvati.
Men are allowed in the premises but not in the inner sanctum, especially during the ceremony of ‘Kumari Puja’, where the divine feminine is celebrated by worshipping young girls as goddesses.
Why Visit: This temple is dedicated to Bhagwati Maa and is known for its restriction on male entry to the inner sanctum.
Special Rules: Men are allowed in the temple premises but are barred from entering the inner sanctum.
How to Reach:
- By Air: Trivandrum International Airport is approximately 90 km away.
- By Train: The nearest railway station is Kanyakumari Railway Station, about 1.5 km away.
- By Road: Well-connected by road with frequent buses and taxis.
5. Brahma Temple, Pushkar, Rajasthan
While men are allowed inside the renowned Brahma Temple in Pushkar, they cannot perform priestly duties or partake in rituals.
The temple management assigns these responsibilities only to married women, who offer prayers to Lord Brahma, the God of Creation, asserting a shift in the traditional roles typically ascribed to men.
Why Visit: The Brahma Temple in Pushkar is one of the few temples dedicated to Lord Brahma. It is famous for its annual Pushkar Fair and the restrictions placed during certain festivals.
Special Rules: Men are not allowed during the Ambubachi Mela, which celebrates the goddess’s menstruation cycle.
How to Reach:
- By Air: The nearest airport is Jaipur International Airport, around 150 km away.
- By Train: Ajmer Railway Station is the closest, about 15 km from Pushkar.
- By Road: Regular buses and taxis are available from Ajmer to Pushkar.
6. Mata Temple, Muzaffarpur, Bihar
Mata Temple in Muzaffarpur, Bihar, is a unique shrine where men cannot enter the premises during a particular period of the Hindu month of Magha.
The temple, dedicated to the Goddess Shakti, emanates strong feminine energy, inviting women to come, worship, and celebrate their femininity.
Why Visit: The Mata Temple is known for its unique restriction where only married women can enter the sanctum.
Special Rules: Only married women are allowed inside the sanctum of this temple.
How to Reach:
- By Air: Jay Prakash Narayan Airport in Patna is approximately 82 km away.
- By Train: Muzaffarpur Junction is the nearest railway station, around 5 km away.
- By Road: Well-connected by road with regular buses and taxis.
Also read: Guruvayur Temple: A Complete Guide
7. Kamrup Kamakhya Temple, Assam
The Kamrup Kamakhya Temple in Assam, known for worshipping the ‘Bleeding Goddess’, is a place where men are barred from entering during the Ambubachi Mela – a festival celebrating the menstruation cycle of the goddess.
This temple signifies the power of womanhood and the natural process of menstruation, thus reinforcing the dignity of women.
Why Visit: The Kamakhya Temple in Assam is one of the most important Shakti Peethas and is known for its Ambubachi Mela.
Special Rules: Men are not allowed to enter the temple premises during the Ambubachi Mela.
How to Reach:
- By Air: Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport in Guwahati is about 20 km away.
- By Train: The nearest railway station is Guwahati Railway Station, about 6 km away.
- By Road: Regular buses and taxis are available from Guwahati to the temple.
8. Lord Brahma Temple, Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh
In the land of architectural marvels, Khajuraho, the Lord Brahma Temple stands out with its unique tradition. This temple allows only married women to enter the sanctum and pay their offerings to the deity, symbolizing the harmony between the creator and his creation.
Why Visit: This temple is dedicated to Lord Brahma and is known for its architectural beauty and spiritual significance.
Special Rules: Men are restricted during specific festivals and rituals.
How to Reach:
- By Air: Khajuraho Airport is about 5 km away.
- By Train: The nearest railway station is Khajuraho Railway Station, around 6 km away.
- By Road: Well-connected by road with regular buses and taxis.
These 8 temples exemplify the powerful presence and reverence for the divine feminine in Indian culture, presenting a refreshing counter-narrative to traditional gender norms in religious practices. Each temple, with its unique customs and traditions, stands as a testament to the indomitable strength of womanhood and its place in the spiritual fabric of India.
In these spaces, the chant of mantras becomes the voice of gender equality; the sacred flame turns into a beacon of empowerment, and the divine goddesses symbolize the ultimate power that lies within every woman. So, embark on this unusual spiritual journey and embrace the goddess within!
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FAQs about Temples in India Where Men Are Not Allowed:
Q1: Why are men not allowed in certain temples in India?
A1: The reasons vary by temple and are often tied to local customs, beliefs, and specific myths or legends associated with the temple’s deity. Generally, it is believed that the energy of these temples intensifies with the presence of women and gets disrupted by the presence of men.
Q2: Can men visit these temples on days not specified for women-only rituals?
A2: This depends on the specific temple. Some temples have particular days or events when men are not allowed, while at others, the restriction is continuous. It’s best to research the specific temple or contact temple authorities for accurate information.
Q3: Are there exceptions to these rules? Can temple officials or priests enter the temples?
A3: In most cases, even male priests and officials cannot enter the temple during the times specified for women only. These traditions are generally strictly adhered to, emphasizing the sanctity of the custom.
Q4: What is the significance of these temples in the feminist movement in India?
A4: These temples, by challenging traditional norms and offering spaces solely for women, serve as powerful symbols of women’s empowerment and gender equality. They celebrate womanhood, and in some cases, natural processes like menstruation, that are often stigmatized in society.
Q5: What are some of the festivals celebrated in these temples?
A5: Some of the significant festivals celebrated in these temples are Attukal Pongala in Attukal Bhagavathy Temple, ‘Naari Puja’ in Chakkulathukavu Temple, ‘Kumari Puja’ in Bhagati Maa Temple, and the Ambubachi Mela in Kamrup Kamakhya Temple.
Q6: Are these temples only for Hindu women, or can women of other faiths visit too?
A6: While these temples are primarily Hindu temples, most of them welcome women of all faiths to experience their unique traditions. However, as customs may vary, it is advisable to check the specific rules of each temple.
Q7: How old are these temples, and do they hold historical significance?
A7: These temples are ancient and steeped in history, with some dating back several centuries. They are not only significant religious sites but also hold cultural and historical importance due to their architecture, legends, and the role they play in local communities.
Q8: Can foreigners visit these temples?
A8: Yes, foreign women can visit these temples, keeping in mind the specific dress code, if any, and the rules of the temple. It’s an opportunity to explore the diversity of Indian culture and experience its unique traditions.
