India, in its vastness, is a land where stories are stitched into every stone, where the past is ever present in the living traditions. I had always felt a pull towards the South of India its mysticism, the air heavy with stories of gods and goddesses & temples that held tales of the past. But what intrigued me the most were the untold stories of divine femininity the goddesses hidden in the quiet corners of lesser known temples, their carved forms radiating strength, grace and love. It was here, I knew, I would find the stories of womanhood, divinity and power. Among the temples that dot this sacred landscape, the South Indian ones hold a unique place in their quiet reverence and deep spiritual power. But beyond the well-trodden paths of the famous temple towns like Madurai, Thanjavur and Hampi, there are smaller, less-known shrines where the divine feminine is honoured with intricate carvings, symbols and stories lost in time but not in spirit. These temples are sanctuaries for the soul, places where the ancient energy of goddesses still echoes through every corner.
This journey took me to such hidden gems across Southern India. Each temple brought me closer to understanding the many forms of Devi, the Mother Goddess & her manifestation in stone carvings. The energy of these places wasn’t just spiritual; it felt deeply feminine, nurturing yet powerful. Let me take you on this journey with me as I recall the sacred stories carved into the temple walls and the life that breathes through them. This is not a historical account of these places, nor a tourist guide. It’s simply my experience, my dialogue with the ancient stones, the weathered faces of goddesses carved into them & the stories that got uncovered during as I walked these sacred grounds. None of these temples can be found on Google Maps or travel guides. These are stories passed down from locals, embedded in the stone and soil.
Some places are meant to stay hidden, their silence and sanctity preserved. I won’t reveal the exact location or flood this space with photos, because once crowds flock, the spirit of these ancient temples fades.
1. Kadu Marikamba Devalaya, Agumbe, Karnataka
It was a misty morning when I set out from the small town of Agumbe, nestled in the Western Ghats of Karnataka. Agumbe, known for its rainforests, hides a secret that only the locals know, a small temple, etched into the hills, where the goddess Marikamba reigns in a forgotten form. The temple’s walls are adorned with images of Marikamba, a fierce manifestation of the goddess Durga, holding a sword in one hand and a trident in another. The carvings are rough-hewn yet delicate, their edges softened by centuries of weathering. Each stone tells a story of battles fought, a demon slain. Unlike the traditional depictions of the goddess, Marikamba here is portrayed with a calm demeanour, her face serene as she watches over the forest. The locals believe this temple was built over 800 years ago by a wandering sculptor who sought refuge in the forest. He is said to have experienced a vision of Marikamba, who instructed him to carve her likeness into the stones. The temple became a sanctuary for women seeking peace, away from the patriarchal gaze of mainstream society. Over time, it fell into disrepair, its stories lost, except for those who still hold the ancient goddess in their hearts.
It was a misty morning when I set out from the small town of Agumbe, nestled in the Western Ghats of Karnataka. Agumbe, known for its rainforests, hides a secret that only the locals know, a small temple, etched into the hills, where the goddess Marikamba reigns in a forgotten form. The temple’s walls are adorned with images of Marikamba, a fierce manifestation of the goddess Durga, holding a sword in one hand and a trident in another. The carvings are rough-hewn yet delicate, their edges softened by centuries of weathering. Each stone tells a story of battles fought, a demon slain. Unlike the traditional depictions of the goddess, Marikamba here is portrayed with a calm demeanour, her face serene as she watches over the forest. The locals believe this temple was built over 800 years ago by a wandering sculptor who sought refuge in the forest. He is said to have experienced a vision of Marikamba, who instructed him to carve her likeness into the stones. The temple became a sanctuary for women seeking peace, away from the patriarchal gaze of mainstream society. Over time, it fell into disrepair, its stories lost, except for those who still hold the ancient goddess in their hearts.
2. Chandra Devi, Melukote, Karnataka
Melukote, a place renowned for its ancient temples. Yet, hidden beyond the known sanctuaries was a temple dedicated to Chandra Devi, the goddess of the moon. I stumbled upon this temple while hiking through the hills surrounding the main temple complex. Carved into the stone walls were images of the goddess in various phases of the moon, her calm, luminous face representing the waxing and waning of lunar energy. It’s said that ancient astronomers once used this temple to chart the moon's path across the sky.
Melukote, a place renowned for its ancient temples. Yet, hidden beyond the known sanctuaries was a temple dedicated to Chandra Devi, the goddess of the moon. I stumbled upon this temple while hiking through the hills surrounding the main temple complex. Carved into the stone walls were images of the goddess in various phases of the moon, her calm, luminous face representing the waxing and waning of lunar energy. It’s said that ancient astronomers once used this temple to chart the moon's path across the sky.
3. Kayar Bhagavathy Kshetram, Nedumudi village, Kerala
Kerala is often associated with its sprawling backwaters, but few know of the temple dedicated to Bhagavathy that rests in ruins on the edge of one of its quietest lagoons. I was in a small village near Alleppey when I first heard whispers of this forgotten sanctuary. The temple is barely visible from the water, overgrown with vines and roots. Once inside, you'll see remnants of intricate carvings depicting Bhagavathy in her various forms, mother, warrior, protector. One panel shows her holding a lotus, a symbol of purity, while another depicts her in battle with the demon Darika. The weathered stone adds to the beauty of these ancient figures, almost as though time itself is cradling them. This temple is believed to have been built by a matriarchal society that thrived in the region long before the backwaters became a popular tourist destination. It served as a gathering place for women during the harvest season, where they would offer prayers for fertility and protection. The temple was abandoned after a devastating flood in the 15th century, and since then, it has remained a hidden gem, known only to the boatmen who occasionally visit it.
Kerala is often associated with its sprawling backwaters, but few know of the temple dedicated to Bhagavathy that rests in ruins on the edge of one of its quietest lagoons. I was in a small village near Alleppey when I first heard whispers of this forgotten sanctuary. The temple is barely visible from the water, overgrown with vines and roots. Once inside, you'll see remnants of intricate carvings depicting Bhagavathy in her various forms, mother, warrior, protector. One panel shows her holding a lotus, a symbol of purity, while another depicts her in battle with the demon Darika. The weathered stone adds to the beauty of these ancient figures, almost as though time itself is cradling them. This temple is believed to have been built by a matriarchal society that thrived in the region long before the backwaters became a popular tourist destination. It served as a gathering place for women during the harvest season, where they would offer prayers for fertility and protection. The temple was abandoned after a devastating flood in the 15th century, and since then, it has remained a hidden gem, known only to the boatmen who occasionally visit it.
4. Mookambika Amman Kovil, Pannaipatti, Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu, known for its majestic temple towns like Madurai and Thanjavur, hides many lesser-known gems within its rural heart. One such temple, dedicated to a forgotten form of Meenakshi, lies in ruins in a small village near Dindigul. Meenakshi is known as the warrior goddess, often depicted with her bow and arrow. However, the carvings here show a gentler side a mother cradling a child, a woman blessing her devotees. These figures, though weathered, retain their grace, their eyes seeming to follow you as you walk through the abandoned sanctum. It is said that this temple was once a thriving pilgrimage site, built in the 13th century by a Chola queen who sought to honor the feminine power of Meenakshi. The temple fell into disuse during the reign of the Nayak kings, who favored larger, more prominent shrines in cities. Now, only the villagers visit the site, keeping the stories of the goddess alive in their own quiet way.
Tamil Nadu, known for its majestic temple towns like Madurai and Thanjavur, hides many lesser-known gems within its rural heart. One such temple, dedicated to a forgotten form of Meenakshi, lies in ruins in a small village near Dindigul. Meenakshi is known as the warrior goddess, often depicted with her bow and arrow. However, the carvings here show a gentler side a mother cradling a child, a woman blessing her devotees. These figures, though weathered, retain their grace, their eyes seeming to follow you as you walk through the abandoned sanctum. It is said that this temple was once a thriving pilgrimage site, built in the 13th century by a Chola queen who sought to honor the feminine power of Meenakshi. The temple fell into disuse during the reign of the Nayak kings, who favored larger, more prominent shrines in cities. Now, only the villagers visit the site, keeping the stories of the goddess alive in their own quiet way.
5. Meenakshi Temple, Pulicat, Tamil Nadu
Pulicat is known for its lagoon, but hidden in the nearby fishing villages is a temple dedicated to Meenakshi, the fish-eyed goddess. Unlike the grand Meenakshi Temple in Madurai, this one is small, intimate, and known only to the local fishermen. I found it by accident, after asking for directions to a different site. The fishermen pointed me here instead, saying the goddess had protected their ancestors from storms and sea creatures. The stone carvings were simple, yet the goddess's eyes held a depth that seemed to follow me as I explored the temple.
Pulicat is known for its lagoon, but hidden in the nearby fishing villages is a temple dedicated to Meenakshi, the fish-eyed goddess. Unlike the grand Meenakshi Temple in Madurai, this one is small, intimate, and known only to the local fishermen. I found it by accident, after asking for directions to a different site. The fishermen pointed me here instead, saying the goddess had protected their ancestors from storms and sea creatures. The stone carvings were simple, yet the goddess's eyes held a depth that seemed to follow me as I explored the temple.
6. Vedapureeswarar Temple, Pondicherry
Pondicherry’s French colonial charm often distracts traveler's from its older spiritual roots. In a village, lies a ruined temple dedicated to Annapurna, the of nourishment. This temple is often missed by tourists, but it holds a beautiful carving of Annapurna, her hands offering food and blessings to all who seek her.The temple’s history dates back to the Chola dynasty, though much of the original structure has been rebuilt over the centuries. The carving of Annapurna is still intact, her form radiating peace and abundance. Unlike the fierce goddesses I encountered earlier in my journey, Annapurna’s energy is one of nurturing and care.
Pondicherry’s French colonial charm often distracts traveler's from its older spiritual roots. In a village, lies a ruined temple dedicated to Annapurna, the of nourishment. This temple is often missed by tourists, but it holds a beautiful carving of Annapurna, her hands offering food and blessings to all who seek her.The temple’s history dates back to the Chola dynasty, though much of the original structure has been rebuilt over the centuries. The carving of Annapurna is still intact, her form radiating peace and abundance. Unlike the fierce goddesses I encountered earlier in my journey, Annapurna’s energy is one of nurturing and care.
As I traveled through these temples, I realised that the divine feminine is not a singular concept but a multifaceted one, represented in many forms, strength, wisdom, love, and creation. Each carving, each story, revealed a different aspect of femininity, reminding me that the power of women, both mortal and divine, is vast and varied. Their carvings are not just works of art but sacred reminders of the strength, resilience, and beauty that lie within all women. But there are more temples, many more, scattered across South India, known only to locals, where the divine feminine continues to thrive in forms we have yet to discover. The exploration of these temples, of this divine energy, is endless. It traces a path through forgotten villages, hidden ruins, and sacred spaces far removed from the bustling world of tourists. The temples I’ve shared here are only a glimpse of what lies ahead. The exploration of feminine divinity in South India is an eternal journey, one that leads deeper into the heart of the land, where the goddesses continue to watch, waiting to be found by those who wander off the beaten path. And as long as there are temples standing, and stones carved with their images, the exploration will continue into eternity.
It was a reminder that the divine feminine is not confined to temples or carvings but exists in all of us, waiting to be acknowledged, celebrated, and revered.
Note to travellers:
As you plan your visit to these hidden gems, let’s not forget that "lesser-known" doesn’t mean "free-for-all." I get it, discovering a hidden gem feels like you've unlocked a secret. Remember, they’ve stood quietly for centuries without your Instagram. If you're hoping to Instagram your way through sacred ground, maybe skip it. These places aren’t waiting for crowds, so let’s not turn them into the next tourist mess. Respect the space; leave it as serene as you found it, or better yet, don’t leave a trace at all. Sanity and sanctity are key here, so maybe skip the loud selfies and just absorb the energy. After all, the ruins didn’t survive centuries just to get trashed by weekend wanderers.
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