Temples in India are a source of peace and tranquility. The ornate building, divine shrine, fragrant prasad, and resounding rites leave one with a full heart. In India, there are many temples dedicated solely to women, where men are not permitted. Men are not allowed to enter due to customs and traditions, however, women are warmly welcomed to worship the deity and participate in the puja rituals. So here are 5 temples in India that are only for women.
Temples in India where men are not allowed
1. Kanyakumari’s Kumari Amman Temple
- Maa Bhagawati Durga can be found in the sanctum sanctorum of the Kumari Amman temple at Kanyakumari. The temple only allows celibate men or sanyasis to enter until the temple gate. Married men, on the other hand, are not permitted to enter the premises. This temple is said to be the location where Mata Parvati performed penance in order to marry Lord Shiva. Kanyakumari Kanya temple is only visited by women (virgins).
2. Bihar’s Mata Temple
Women are only allowed to enter the Mata Temple in Muzaffarpur, Bihar, during their “periods.” Even male priests are not allowed to enter the temple during that time due to the temple’s rigorous laws. Because the goddess is thought to be menstruating during the time, the temple becomes a women-only space. If you liked this shrine, Jodhpur also has the Bullet Baba Temple, where followers worship a motorcycle.
3. Attukal Bhagavathy Temple In Kerala
Kerala’s Attukal Bhagavathy Temple is one such temple in the country which prides itself to be a women dominant temple. The temple’s Pongala festival, participated by millions of women even made it to the Guinness Book of World Records. This festival is regarded as the largest gathering of women for any religious activity. Pongala is a 10-day festival that falls between February and March. Here, women offer bangles to the goddess or Devi.
4. Rajasthan’s Brahmaji Temple
The Brahmaji temple in Rajasthan is one of Lord Brahma’s most important temples. Married males are not permitted entry to this 14th-century temple. Lord Brahma, according to Hindu traditions, performed a yagna at Pushkar Lake. This was something he had to do with his wife, Goddess Saraswati. Goddess Saraswati, on the other hand, was late for the event, so he wedded Goddess Gayatri and finished the ritual. The temple was cursed by the enraged Goddess Saraswati. She cursed that no married man be permitted to enter the inner sanctum because if he does, he will have marital problems.
5. Andhra Pradesh’s Kamakhya Temple
The Kamakhya Peetham in Visakhapatnam, like the famous Kamakhya temple in Guwahati, prohibits men from entering for a few days each month. For four to five days, men are prohibited from accessing the temple in order to observe the seclusion of women during their menstrual period. It is undoubtedly one of India’s most bizarre yet sacred temples.
Final Thoughts
Our country is recognized by the temples in India. These religious symbols can be found in practically every corner of the country, ranging from grand, modest, elaborate, to austere shrines. But, did you know that there are temples in India where men are not permitted to enter due to custom, or that there are particular days when the temple premises are dominated by women and only women are allowed to perform puja?
If you’re interested in learning more, read through some temples mentioned above that convert to women only temples at different times of the year.
