Indian Mythology: Mystical Temples Of Kiradu

The ‘Indian Subcontinent is a golden place for Hindu mythology. Sacred stories and Hindu myths have existed since the dark age, and now most of them have become a tradition. As for Vedic religion, the golden age of Hindu mythology consisted of myths and legends about gods and goddesses or kings with their magical powers, sacrifice, demons, the human race, and so on.

Kiradu Temple At Night

Among the numerous mysterious places in India, the Temples of Kiradu has a very special place in history. There are countless hunted stories and tales stating that it’s a cursed temple; although there is not a single scientific fact saying that any of these is true, today’s people still don’t dare to enter the temple after the light goes out!

The Kiradu Temple of Hindu Gods

Kiradu, located 35-40 kilometers west of Barmer District in Rajasthan, is a low-key and very tranquil area, so much so that, despite its historical significance, we do not see a lot of people traveling here each year.

The remains of Kiradu Temples have long been a source of fascination for historians and geeks. The Chalukya Kings are said to have designed this series of 108 temples between the 11th and 12th centuries. These temples, known as ‘The Khajuraho of Rajasthan’ because of their sensual architecture, are created in the Solanki style.

Structure of One of The Temples of Kiradu Temples

Unfortunately, only five of the 108 temples remain standing today, one of which is Someshvara Temple. The temple dedicated To Lord Shiva is in excellent architectural condition. Another temple is dedicated to lord Vishnu.

According to some other legends, the Kiradu was previously known as Kiradkot and was controlled by the Rajput Kirad dynasty in the 6th century.

The Mystery of Kiradu Temple According to Vedic Religion

Visit of ‘The Sage’

According to mythology, following the terrifying invasions of the Turks and other foreign invaders, King Someshwar invited a renowned sage to restore the Kingdom’s prosperity. After performing all the rites, the sage left one of his pupils behind to safeguard the happiness and prosperity of the people long after he left.

Where It Went Wrong

That being said, as the days turned into months and years, the locals actually forgot about the disciple, and as a result of the passage of time and a lack of consistent care, the disciple became ill. Only the family of a potter took care of him and nurtured him in order to heal.

The Wrath of The Sage

When the sage returned and heard what had transpired, he became outraged. According to Hindu mythology, he cursed the Kingdom, declaring, “A country without people must not be saddled by humankind.” He cursed the Kingdom to turn to earth stone, except for the potter’s wife, whom he spared due to her dedication to his sick pupil.

However, it wasn’t a happy ending for the female character either. The sage told her to leave Kingdom before dark and not to turn around. But she turned to take one final glance at her hometown out of curiosity, and her avatar was promptly transformed to stone. Her monument can still be seen on the outskirts of town.

People Still Don’t Stay Overnight

This seems strange since many are afraid of visiting this temple because they still believe the mystery behind it would turn them into stones. They think those who stay at the temple after the sunset transforms into stone statues or slumber to death. And this is why, for years, individuals who live near the temple have refused to return after sunset.

Architectural Dexterity of Kiradu Temple: Hindu Mythology Indian Can Exhibit

The architectural brilliance of these temples will absolutely amaze you; the delicacy and intricate work on the walls of these temples is a noteworthy example of our Hindu way of life, Indian society, cultural effect, and the glory of our Kings.

Despite their beauty, myths and legends, these temples have mainly remained unknown until now, either due to their isolated location or perhaps due to a deliberate desire to keep their history secret from the public about them.

Mesmerizing Wall Scriptures

The temple walls are covered with beautiful sculptures of God and Goddesses and animal shapes. It has things like a dancing girl, an elephant’s head, small fish, and even the gods and the deities they worship, like Brahma, the father of creation, Krishna, lord Rama, lord, etc. It has an evident influence on epics from Mahabharata and Ramayana.

Wall Scripture of kiradu Temple

At first, historians believed that the founder of these temples was King Dulshalraja. But archeologists believe it was constructed in the 12th century by Chalukya Kings as it had visible Chalukya characters engraved on the pillars and walls of this temple. It is stated that the inscriptions date from 1153 AD, while additional scripts sculpted on the walls date from 1218 AD, according to the Hindu calendar.

Amazing Sculptures of Kiradu Temple walls

Kings of the Parmars, from the Sindhu Kings until the Someshwar king, have been mentioned during this era. And the period was in 1235 AD according to the Hindu calendar, and these facts are about King Bhimadeva II. He belonged to the Chalukya Dynasty of Gujarat. Various writings of his feudal lord- Madan Bhramadeva Chauhan, can also be seen.

So from the designs and mythology, we get to know about Hinduism and the impact of the gods they worship, like Vishnu, Brahma, Shiva, Vishnu, and the demons and deities or goddesses. The diverse culture of Hindus and the stories-myths and legends, including Mahabharata and their life epics, won’t fail to amaze the universe!

 Andromeda Galaxy Winter Night Sky through the ceiling of Kiradu Temple

All of this might remind you of earlier trips to similar-aged Indian temples in several states and cities like Tamil Nadu. These places will flash the stories and epic poems from Mahabharata, Ramayana, and the creation of Hinduism in front of your eyes!

Conclusion:

Breathtaking architecture, complex designs, and a tranquil atmosphere give this location an appealing feeling. However, one local was reported as stating, “These are temple ruins that you may go visit. But don’t remain till the sun goes down because the ghosts will appear as the shadows fade!”. That’s why every day, after sundown, the whole Kiradu region is devoid of human presence.

However, it can also be noted that the remaining temples need to be better maintained. There is also further investigation needed because very few prospective pieces of evidence have been discovered concerning the temple myth that does not indicate any cue of integrity except emptiness and abandonment.

So, are you looking forward to an encounter with a ghost at Rajasthan’s Haunted Kiradu Temples? If you have a weak heart, consider avoiding it!

Nilanjana Das

I love investigating the unknown and exploring the weird and unexplained. I find it fascinating how our minds can create whole worlds of mystery and suspense. What's even more exciting to me is uncovering these mysteries and looking for evidence that they actually exist!

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