The world is beautiful because of its diversity. There are temples of absolutely unique originality, and often full of surprises. Let’s see what are the ten most rare, original, and particular that exist.
KARNI MATA (INDIA)
More known as “the Temple of Rats”. It is located in Deshnoke, in the Indian province of Rajastan (about 5 hours drive from New Delhi). If from the outside it can seem one of the many Hindu temples, inside it is a real luxury hotel for the mice that live here permanently, with all the consequences of the case: dirt, smells, chaos, etc… is one of the Indian temples to see, it is worth it.
THE DIVINE MERCY SHRINE
Difficult not to see it: the huge statue of Christ above it leaves no one indifferent. It is located on the island of Mindanao, in the Philippines.
WAT SAMPHRAN DRAGON TEMPLE
If the Christ of the Philippines has impressed you, wait to see the dragon of the tower of the Wat Samphran temple. Worthy of an exemplary Japanese “anime”, this mythological creature will leave you speechless. The temple is located in Nakom Phatom, near Bangkok in Thailand, outside the usual tourist circuits.
THE CHURCH WITH LOAD BEARERS (NORWAY)
Dragons in temples do not exist only in eastern temples: in Norway, dragons decorate the roofs of almost all churches and older buildings, often very dark, and surprising. In Norway, there are at least thirty similar churches. Unique places, not to be missed.
THE ICE CHURCH (SWEDEN)
A frozen water church, which melts every spring: the Ice Church of the ICEHOTEL of Jukkasjärvi, where if you want they can also organize a ceremony… well covered though!
THE UNDERGROUND SALT CATHEDRAL (POLAND)
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, these are the ancient salt mines of Wieliczka, known as “The Salt Cathedral”. It is an impressive collection of tunnels, chapels, and underground rooms made of salt. The most interesting of these is the Chapel of St. Kinga, visited by Bill Clinton, Copernicus, and John Paul II. They are a stone’s throw from Krakow.
THE CATHEDRAL OF JUSTO (SPAIN)
About 20km from Madrid, in the small town of Mejorada del Campo, the Catedral del Justo is being built, a temple that became famous a few years ago when a well-known brand of drinks used the place for the “want is power” spot. The Catedral del Justo is building by just one person (Justo Gallego Martinez) to keep a promise, and it does so thanks to donations, recycled materials, and working every day. One of the most curious places in Madrid.
THE MONKEY TEMPLE (INDIA)
Right at the entrance of the city of Jaipur, carved in the mountains, is the Monkey Temple, a place that seems to come from an Indiana Jones movie. The Temple is visited more by monkeys than by people, but it is worth climbing the stairs and reaching the top, from which you can see the spectacular architectural complex enclosed by rocks and invaded by monkeys. Don’t bring food, and watch out for cameras and hats, they disappear in an instant!
ALIEN ROCK (ENGLAND)
Church outside, climbing walls inside! This is Alien Rock, in Edinburgh: a temple where walls are dedicated to climbing, and anyone can enter and train in this sport. One of the most unique places in the world!
KAOS TEMPLE: THE SKATE CHURCH OF SPAIN
If there is a church for climbing in Edinburgh, how could the one for skateboard be missing? And here it is: we find it in Llanera in the Asturias. A true work of art, with walls decorated by the well-known artist Okuda, who converted the abandoned temple into a space full of color and life.
