Which Temple Is Only One in India? Unique Temples You Won’t Find Anywhere Else

India isn’t shy about its temples. You’ll spot them everywhere, from tiny village shrines tucked under trees to jaw-dropping wonders that could fill up your entire camera roll. But here’s something wild: there are temples in India that you literally won’t find anywhere else on the planet. Curious? Most people imagine that every Hindu temple is kind of similar, but some of these are totally in a league of their own.

If you’re hunting for a temple experience that screams “nowhere-but-India,” you’re in the right place. Whether you want to snap the quirkiest selfies, hear jaw-dropping local legends, or just have a story that’ll make your WhatsApp group jealous, I’ve got you. One of these temples has thousands of rats running free, considered holy. Another features motorbikes instead of idols. This isn’t your standard temple hopping. Ready to find out which temple is truly one of its kind? Strap in, because India’s wildest temples are about to be on your radar.

• The Idea of a ‘One and Only’ Temple
• Karni Mata Temple: Rats Rule Here
• Other Remarkably Unique Temples
• How to Visit: Tips and Must-Know Details
• Stories, Superstitions, and Insider Secrets
• What Makes These Temples So Special?

The Idea of a ‘One and Only’ Temple

What does it even mean to say a temple is the "only one" in India? With thousands of religious sites, most temples follow pretty set patterns—dedicated to popular gods, with rituals people have practiced forever. But then, you stumble on a temple that breaks every rule. It might be the only one dedicated to a certain deity, have a totally unusual ritual, or pull off something so weird that you just don’t see it anywhere else.

The country is packed with temples dedicated to Shiva, Vishnu, and Durga, but every now and then, there’s a temple doing its own thing. For example, the Karni Mata Temple in Rajasthan is famous for its 25,000 holy rats, the Om Banna Temple in Pali is known for worshipping a Royal Enfield motorcycle, and the Temple of Bullet Baba literally has people bringing offerings of alcohol. Yes, you read that right.

Here’s a quick table showing why these temples are the unique temple India travelers get excited about:

What makes these places real head-turners is how they go all-in on things you just won’t find at any other temple. For travelers, that means you get the chance to see something truly out of the ordinary. If you want a memory that’s different from the usual temple photos, these “one and only” temples are a must-visit. And yes, people come from all over the world for that exact reason.

If you’re planning a temple tour in India, keep an eye out for these rare spots. They don’t just add variety—they give you dinner-table stories you’ll be sharing for years.

Karni Mata Temple: Rats Rule Here

Ever heard of a temple where rats are not just tolerated, but actually worshipped? That’s the Karni Mata Temple in Deshnoke, Rajasthan—also famously called the Temple of Rats. This spot isn’t just unique for India—it’s seriously one of the only places in the world where rats and humans peacefully share sacred space.

Here’s the deal: more than 25,000 black rats, known as 'kabbas,' live inside the temple. They’re not pests here—they’re believed to be the reincarnated relatives of Karni Mata, a local deity who’s honored as a form of Goddess Durga. Killing a rat, even by accident, is considered really bad luck. Instead, visitors feed them sweets, grains, and milk, hoping to get a glimpse of one of the rare white rats, which are said to bring extra good fortune.

The temple was built in the early 1900s by Maharaja Ganga Singh of Bikaner. Since then, it’s become famous for its living, furry population. Here’s a quick snapshot of what you’ll see:

• Rats everywhere—on the floors, ledges, and sometimes even underfoot.
• Offerings left by devotees, quickly gobbled up by rats.
• Marble and silver detailing on the temple, showing off Rajasthani artistry.
• Special white rats (only about five, if you’re lucky enough to spot one!).

People from all over the world come to witness this odd tradition. Some are curious travelers. Others are pilgrims hoping for blessings. A lot of folks are just trying to snap a killer photo that’ll get everyone talking.

Here’s a quick data table about this unique temple India experience:

Don’t worry about hygiene—locals say the rats have never triggered a health scare. Many even share food and drink with them. If a rat runs over your feet, count yourself lucky. Just make sure you wear socks (shoes aren’t allowed inside the temple). And if you accidentally step on a rat, tradition says you’re supposed to buy a silver or gold rat statue as an apology.

Other Remarkably Unique Temples

If you thought a temple dedicated to rats was wild, wait till you hear about some of the others scattered across India. These places don’t just break the mold—they smash it. Each one is famous for something you just won’t see anywhere else, and some are so offbeat they feel like a fun glitch in real life.

Let’s talk about the Bullet Baba Temple in Rajasthan. Officially called Om Banna Temple, this spot draws people not because of traditional deities, but because of a unique temple India experience: a shiny Royal Enfield Bullet motorcycle sits where you’d expect the idol to be. Locals pray here for road safety, leaving offerings like whiskey and flower garlands. Story goes, the bike kept returning to the accident spot, no matter what the police did. It’s now basically the guardian angel for bikers on that stretch of highway.

Hop over to Kerala for another one-of-a-kind: the Kodungallur Bhagavathy Temple. It’s ancient, but what shocks most visitors is the festival where devotees toss filthy, sometimes obscene insults at the goddess. While it sounds nuts, locals believe it’s done to awaken the goddess and ensure a good harvest. Before you visit, remember: do not repeat those words anywhere else!

Near Hyderabad, there’s the Chilkur Balaji Temple, better known as the ‘Visa Temple’. Thousands of software engineers and students swing by hoping for help with their US visa. You might actually spot folks doing 11 laps around the shrine, as a kind of prayer deal with the god. If their visa gets approved, they come back to do 108 laps as thanks.

In fact, here’s a quick table for other quirky temples you might want on your bucket list:

When you’re planning temple tours India, keep some of these places in mind. They bring real stories and oddball twists you won’t get at the more popular, postcard-style temples. And trust me, your travel journal will get a serious upgrade.

How to Visit: Tips and Must-Know Details

Let’s talk brass tacks. Visiting India’s only rat temple—the Karni Mata Temple in Deshnoke, Rajasthan—needs a bit of planning. The town itself is about 30 km from Bikaner, so if you’re coming by train or bus, aim for Bikaner as your landing spot. You’ll find buses, rickshaws, and local taxis ready to take you to the temple itself.

This place isn’t just some regular pit stop. Over 20,000 holy rats (yes, rats!) live here and roam free all day. Locals call them kabbas and treat them like family. Some folks even believe spotting a white rat means real good luck. Here’s what you definitely want to know before stepping inside:

• Open hours: 4:00 AM to 10:00 PM daily, but mornings are less crowded.
• Best time to visit: October to March is cooler (summer heat is no joke in Rajasthan!).
• No entry fee, but a camera ticket usually costs Rs. 30-50, and carrying big bags isn’t allowed inside.
• Shoes come off at the gate, just like any other temple, so maybe bring socks if critters on bare feet aren’t your thing.
• Don’t step on the rats—locals take this very seriously. People actually apologize if they accidentally do.
• Eating prasad (holy offering) that’s been nibbled by the rats is seen as a blessing.

You’ll probably want to know what facilities are around. Here’s a quick snapshot:

If you’re making a temple tour, Karni Mata is a key stop for any unique temple India list. Local guides are easy to find and can share wild rat temple stories for a modest fee. Sundays and festival days, especially Karni Mata Mela in March/April and September/October, pull in the crowds—if you want fewer people in your photos, go on a weekday morning.

And one last tip—from personal experience, keep your belongings zipped in your bag. Jasper, my cat, might chase rodents, but at the Karni Mata Temple, they rule the place!

Stories, Superstitions, and Insider Secrets

Let’s be honest—some of the juiciest stuff about India’s only temple of its kind isn’t on the signboards. Locals always have their own version of things. Take Karni Mata Temple, for example. This place in Rajasthan is famous for its rats—around 25,000 of them. The story goes that Karni Mata, a revered saint, asked Yama (the god of death) to bring her stepson back to life. When he refused, she declared that her descendants would be reincarnated as rats there. Now, these furry locals are considered holy, and people believe eating food nibbled by them brings good luck. Yep, you read that right.

• If you accidentally step on and harm a rat, you’re supposed to replace it with a solid silver statue—and those aren’t cheap.
• Spotting a rare white rat here is seen as a massive blessing, supposedly extra lucky.

Superstition aside, there’s a real security detail to protect the rats. Every morning, priests and workers check for injuries, clean, and set out food. Locals say the rats have never been linked to any sickness in the area—pretty wild for a temple known as the “Temple of Rats.”

For travelers chasing the full-on experience at a unique temple India is famous for, here are some secrets to soak up:

• Visit early morning or dusk, when the rats are the most active without too much crowd. You’ll get the best photos and fewer curious stares.
• Skip open-toed shoes unless you’re totally okay with rats running past your feet.
• If you’re offered prasad (blessed food), don’t freak out if it has nibbles. That’s part of the tradition.
• Keen photographers often bring low-light cameras—photos inside can be tricky otherwise, and flash is frowned upon.

Most tourists leave half shocked and half amazed. The temple’s mix of ritual, mystery, and just downright wildness makes it a must for anyone who likes to collect travel stories that raise eyebrows.

What Makes These Temples So Special?

If you think all temples follow the same script, these outliers will surprise you. What really sets them apart isn’t just their looks or rituals, but stories and customs you won’t get anywhere else. Tourists and locals flock here because these temples break the mold—and sometimes, your expectations too.

For example, the Karni Mata Temple in Rajasthan—the often called ‘Rat Temple’—turns the idea of holy animals up a notch. Over 25,000 black rats live here and roam wherever they want. Locals call these rats "kabbas," believe they’re reincarnated family members, and feed them with milk and sweets. A rat scurrying across your feet here is considered a blessing. It’s the unique temple India is famous for!

Then you’ve got the Om Banna Temple, where people worship a Royal Enfield Bullet motorcycle. No idols. Just a bullet bike surrounded by offerings. There’s even a real-life backstory: it’s said the bike returns to the same spot, no matter how often it’s moved, ever since its rider died in an accident back in the ‘80s. Now, drivers stop here to pray for safe travel—talk about a pitstop with a twist.

• Main deity or focus is surprising—not always gods or idols.
• Customs may go against what’s expected elsewhere (feeding rats, worshipping vehicles).
• Daily rituals often pull in huge crowds or become major tourist draws.
• Local legends play a big part in keeping the temple unique and special.
• Even government tourism sites highlight these places for their one-of-a-kind vibe.

Check out this quick comparison:

So why visit? These temples give you stories to tell, photos you can’t replicate, and a taste of the wild side of Indian spiritual life. They’re also usually pretty easy to reach, and safe, with locals more than happy to share the rules (like: don’t be scared of the rats, maybe just wear closed shoes!). If you want more than a classic temple tour, put these stops on your list.