The ten best temples of tantra

The ten best temples of tantra

Steve Allen
Followers of the tantra path attach greater significance to certain Hindu temples. These are not only important for the tantras, but also for the people of the "bhakti" tradition. In some of these temples the "bali" or ceremonial sacrifice of animals is still performed today, while in others, such as the Mahakaal temple of Ujjain, the ashes of the dead are used in the "aarti" rituals; and tantrik sex got inspiration from the ancient erotic sculptures on Khajuraho temples. Here are the top ten tantrik shrines, some of which are important “Shakti Peethas” or places of worship dedicated to the Goddess Shakti, the female half of Lord Shiva. This list was made with the contribution of Master Tantrik Shri Aghorinath Ji.

Kamakhya temple, Assam

Kamakhya is at the center of the powerful and widespread tantrik cult in India. It is located in the northeastern state of Assam at the top of Nilachal Hill. It is one of the 108 Shakti Peethas of Goddess Durga. Legend has it that Kamakhya was born when Lord Shiva was carrying the corpse of his wife Sati and her "yoni" (female genitals) fell to the ground where the temple now stands. The temple is a natural cave with a spring. Along a flight of stairs to the gut of the earth lies a dark and mysterious chamber. Here, covered by a silk sari and covered with flowers, the "matra yoni" is kept. In Kamakhya, tantrik Hinduism has been nurtured by generations of tantrik priests over the centuries.

Kalighat, West Bengal

Kalighat, in Calcutta (Kolkata), is an important pilgrimage for tantriks. It is said that when Sati's body was torn to pieces, one of his fingers fell at this point. Many goats are sacrificed here before the Goddess Kali and countless snipers make their self-discipline vows in this Kali temple.

Bishnupur, in the Bankura district of West Bengal, is another place from which they draw their powers from Tantrik. Intent on worshiping the goddess Manasa, they travel to Bishnupur for an annual snake worship festival held in August each year. Bishnupur is also an ancient and well-known cultural and handicraft center.

Baitala Deula or Vaital Temple, Bhubaneswar, Orissa

In Bhubaneswar, the XNUMXth century Baitala Deula (Vaital) temple has a reputation for being a powerful tantrik center. Inside the temple is the mighty Chamunda (Kali), wearing a necklace of skulls with a corpse at her feet. Tantriks finds the dimly lit interior of the temple an ideal place to absorb ancient currents of power emanating from this point.

Ekling, Rajasthan

An unusual four-sided image of Lord Shiva carved in black marble can be seen in the Shiva temple of Eklingji near Udaipur in Rajasthan. Dating back to AD 734 or so, the temple complex attracts a steady stream of tantrik worshipers most of the year.

Balaji, Rajasthan

One of the most interesting and popular centers of tantrik rites is in Balaji, near Bharatpur, off the Jaipur-Agra highway. It is the Mehandipur Balaji temple in the Dausa district of Rajasthan. Exorcism is a way of life in Balaji, and people from all over the world who have been "possessed by spirits" flock to Balaji in large numbers. It requires nerves of steel to observe some of the exorcism rituals that are practiced here. Often the moans and screams can be heard for miles around. Sometimes, the "patients" have to stay continuously for days to be exorcised. Visiting the Balaji temple leaves an eerie feeling.

Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh

Khajuraho, located in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, is known worldwide for its beautiful temples and erotic sculpture. However, few people are aware of its reputation as a tantrik center. Powerful representations of carnal desire gratification coupled with evocative temple settings, which represent a spiritual quest, are believed to denote the means to transcend worldly desires and attain spiritual exaltation, and ultimately nirvana (enlightenment). Khajuraho temples are visited by many people throughout the year.

Kaal Bhairon temple, Madhya Pradesh

Ujjain's Kaal Bhairon temple has the dark-faced idol of Bhairon, known for cultivating Tantrik practices. It takes about an hour to drive through peaceful countryside to reach this ancient temple. Tanks, mystics, snake charmers and those who are looking for "siddhi" or enlightenment are often drawn to Bhairon in the early stages of their quest. While rituals vary, an offering of raw country liquor is an invariable component of the cult of Bhairon. The liqueur is offered to the god with due ceremony and solemnity.

Mahakaleswar temple, Madhya Pradesh

Mahakaleswar temple is another famous center of Tigi Ujjain. A flight of stairs leads to the inner sanctum which houses the Shiva lingam. Several impressive ceremonies take place here throughout the day. However, for tantriks, it is the first ceremony of the day that is of particular interest. Their attention is focused on the "bhasm aarti" or the ash ritual, the only one of its kind in the world. It is said that the ash with which the Shiva lingam is "washed" every morning must be that of a corpse cremated the day before. If cremation has not taken place in Ujjain, the ash must be obtained at all costs from the nearest cremation ground. However, temple authorities say that although it was once customary for the ash to belong to a "fresh" corpse, the practice had long been discontinued. It is believed that those lucky enough to attend this ritual will never die prematurely.

The top floor of the Mahakaleswar temple remains closed to the public throughout the year. However, once a year - on Nag Panchami Day - the top floor with its two snake images (which are supposed to be sources of tantrik power) is opened to the public, who come to look for Gorakhnath ki Dhibri's "darshan", literally meaning "the wonder of Gorakhnath".

Jwalamukhi temple, Himachal Pradesh

This place is of particular significance to charlatans and attracts thousands of believers and skeptics year after year. Guarded and cared for by the fierce-looking followers of Gorakhnath - who is known to have been blessed with miraculous powers - the place is nothing more than a small circle about three feet in circumference. A short flight of stairs leads to the cave-like enclosure. Inside this cave there are two small pools of crystalline water, fed by natural underground springs. Three jets of yellow-orange flame light up continuously, constantly, from the sides of the pool, a few centimeters above the surface of the water, which appears to be boiling, gurgling happily. However, you will be surprised to find that the seemingly boiling water is actually refreshing. As people seek to unravel the wonder of Gorakhnath, the tantriks continue to tap into the powers that are centered in the cave in their quest for self-realization.

Baijnath, Himachal Pradesh

Many Tantrics travel up from Jwalamukhi to Baijnath, nestled at the foot of the mighty Dhauladhars. Inside, the "lingam" of Vaidyanath (Lord Shiva) has long been a symbol of veneration for the vast number of pilgrims who visit this ancient temple all year round. Temple priests claim a lineage as old as the temple. Tantriks and yogis admit they travel to Baijnath to seek out some of the healing powers possessed by Lord Shiva, the Lord of Physicians. Incidentally, Baijnath water is believed to possess remarkable digestive properties and it is said that until the recent past, rulers in the Kangra Valley of Himachal Pradesh would only drink the water obtained from Baijnath.