What is Mangal Dosha – Causes, Effects and Remedies

India or Bharat is home to one of the most ancient civilizations and religions on the planet. Both, Sanatan Dharma and the ancient Indian civilization are most vibrant, mystic, colorful and unique in many a sense. The land of Vedas, Upanishads and Puranas also hold numerous diversities in cultures, traditions and rituals across its length and breadth. This fact is also evident in food habits, customs, costumes, celebration and even architecture. But in the land one will feel that there is a bond or a thread that ties together people of varied and diverse traditions and beliefs. Like the stories and legends from the ancient scriptures spellbound people from across the land. Ancient sciences such as Vedic Astrology and Vastu Shastra are believed-in and practiced across North, South, East and West of India. Throughout the ages ancient architecture was dominated by magnificence and mighty temples which were built as per principals of Vastu Shastra and were home to various devotional and as well as mystic practices. Thus it is of no surprise that India is home to many mysterious temples whose mysteries are still intriguing till date. These temples hold in them many untold secrets, stories and unsolved puzzles. While visiting these temples, one will experience a mixed feeling of spiritual Divinity and spooky goosebumps. Listed below are some of the most enigmatic and intriguing temples of India.

Mehandipur Balaji Temple (Dausa, Rajasthan)

Not for the faint-hearted, the Mehandipur Balaji temple is a spooky and a unique pilgrimage site in Dausa, Rajasthan. It is one of the most unique, mysterious yet popular temples in all of India as here the priests perform exorcism rituals to rid a person of any kind of evil spirit or black magic. Imagine being a visitor at the temple and hearing the screams and cries of possessed men and women. It is, nevertheless, Lord Hanuman's abode. Hundreds of people travel to Mehandipur Balaji temple every day in hopes of healing a family member or relative who has been possessed by a spirit, ghost or black magic. Many people find their visit to this temple upsetting and unsettling due to scenes of people being chained or peculiar custom or ritual being carried out. This Mehandipur Balaji temple is not like any other temple in India. But as it is dedicated to Lord Hanuman, one may witness the Tuesday evening Aarti ceremony which is considered very powerful. It is believed here one shouldn’t strictly eat anything given by anybody within this temple premises. Also it is believed that one should never look back when he or she leaves the temple premises.

Kamakhya Devi Temple (Guwahati, Assam)

The Kamakhya Devi temple is one amongst the Shakti Peetha temples. The temple is located on Assam's Nilachal Hill. Here Goddess Shakti is worshipped in the form or shape of a yoni (vagina). The mysterious Kamakhya Devi Temple in Guwahati, India, celebrates womanhood and menstruation since the Goddess of this temple bleeds every year during the monsoon period. The century-old temple is considered as one of India's most popular and powerful amid the 51 Shakti Peethas. On entering the temple premises, one will witness a stone-shaped vagina, or ‘Yoni’ that is worshipped here by the devotees, instead of a Deity idol. Every year, the Goddess bleeds and turns the underground water reservoir red. Therefore, the temple is shut throughout this period. The temple is considered as an epicenter for cult, occult and tantric practices and the mysticism can be felt in the air here. Many devotees experience strange feelings, thoughts and occurrences after visiting the Kamakhya Devi Temple near Guwahati. Every year, during the monsoon, the Ambubachi festival is celebrated to honor the fertility of the Goddess for three days. The temple closes during that period and opens again on the fourth day.

Kailasa Temple (Ellora Caves, Maharashtra)

Kailasa Temple dates back to the 16th century, it is a huge rock-cut Hindu temple located in the Ellora Caves in the state of Maharashtra. This temple will inspire one to learn more about ancient Indian civilization, culture and mysticism than one ever have before. Kailasa Temple's structure is monolithic, meaning it has been built from a single rock. This three-story-tall temple edifice boasts beautiful sculptures that drew the attention of the tyrant Mughal King, Aurangzeb, who ordered the caves to be destroyed, yet the Kailasa Cave Temple remained intact. Everything about the temple is mysterious, so much so that people believe it was built by aliens or by humans having some unique alien technology as the temple is cut from top to bottom. The temple when viewed from air resembles a chariot; experts believe it is impossible for people in that day and age to have such construction technology. Also archeologists don’t know what happened to millions of tons of stones that would have been generated during the construction, it is believed that it just evaporated in thin air. The mystery also surrounds the time it took to construct temple the temple, some experts believe it was built in 14 years which is impossible others believe it to be 400 years but scriptural reference doesn’t collaborate this claim. An estimated thirty million Sanskrit carvings remain unidentified, according to archaeologists. Some claim that its mystery stems also from the fact that no one in today's world could create something so intricate. Some people believe the said temple has some connection with the Kailash Mountain in Tibet.

Nidhivan Temple (Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh)

Located in Vrindavan in the Mathura district of Uttar Pradesh, Nidhivan is a sacred forest. For devotees of Lord Krishna and Maa Radha, Nidhivan is a unique and special place and experience. Nidhivan, often called the Forest of Tulsi, is a location that is shrouded in mystery. One cannot help but notice the twisted trees that are scattered around the forest floor in pairs when visiting Nidhivan. It is thought that these paired basil trees are gopis that come to life at night. Many believe that Lord Krishna come here to perform Raas Leela here after dusk. Devotees are not permitted to remain on the premises past dusk. It's said that anyone and everyone who has tried to watch what happens here either passes away, goes blind, or goes crazy.

Jagannath Temple (Puri, Odisha)

The Jagannath Temple in Puri, Odisha is most significant for every Lord Vishu devotees, it is also one of the Char Dham pilgrimage sites meaning one of the four primary and most sacred pilgrimages in Santan Dharma that a devotee must undertake in his life. The temple is also world-famous for its yearly Rath Yatra. According to many traditions, King Indradyumn established this sacred temple after Lord Vishnu blessed and directed him in his dreams to discover Nila Madhav. There are many mysteries that surround the temple, the first one being that defying natural laws, the flag atop the temple always flutters in the opposite direction of the wind. Another mystery about the temple is the 20-foot-tall and colossal Sudarshan Chakra situated atop the temple. The Chakra is visible from all directions and location in Puri and what is intriguing is that no matter from what location or place in Puri one views it from, it will seem that the Sudarshan Chakra is always facing towards them. One may believe the phenomenon to be an engineering marvel or placement and positioning trick but nevertheless the exact reason for the same still remains a mystery. Another unique and mysterious aspect of the temple is that the place is a no-fly zone designated by some spiritual force rather than any govt. authority as no birds here fly over the temple unlike in the neighborhood. The said occurrence also has no explanation and still remains a mystery.

Veerabhadra Temple (Lepakshi, Andra Pradesh)

The mysterious Veerabhadra Temple in the Lepakshi region of Andra Pradesh is famous for having one hanging pillar out of seventy. Its architecture reflects the Vijaynagar style of construction, and its history goes back to the sixteenth century. Andhra Pradesh's Veerabhadra Temple has gained popularity across the country due to its unique feature of having a single pillar hanging from the top, which attracts a lot of people. This temple is dedicated to Lord Kal Bhairav Nath, an incarnation of Lord Shiva, and dates back to the sixteenth century. A cloth can even be slipped beneath the hanging pillar to reveal the gap between it and the ground. One may explore and admire the stunning Goddesses and Deity sculptures on the pillars and the walls, and also be enchanted by the ancient engineering marvel as you tour the temple. This temple is a place where mystery and history converge.

Lingaraja Temple (Bhubaneshwar, Odisha)

The eleventh century Lingaraja Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is the largest temple in the city of Bhubaneswar. The incredible temple was presumably constructed by Jaipur's King, Jajati Keshari when he relocated his dynasty to Bhuvneshwar city around 1090 to 1104 C.E. This temple is unique and remarkable because of an optical illusion that makes it appear much bigger than it actually is. One will be captivated by the intricate designs of the temple, which features architecture in the Kalinga style. Inside is a unique Swayambhu Lingam which as per legends was not in the current lingam form in the Satya and Treta Yuga but took the said form in Dwapar and Kali Yuga. The temple has a long and rich history, the main gate is guarded by two yellow lions and here offering of milk and bhang by devotees to the Lingam is a tradition.

Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple (Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala)

The mysterious Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple is situated in the heart of Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. There are several restrictions on entry to this holy place as only Hindus are permitted inside the temple premises. People of other religions are not permitted inside the temple in order to maintain its sanctity and purity. The temple is devoted to Lord Padmanabhaya, one of Lord Vishnu's avatars. Many think that coming to this shrine will grant their wishes. This ancient temple, which dates to the eighth century CE, was designed in the Chera architectural style. Keep in mind that there is a dress code before you go. Women should wear sarees, and men are required to wear dhotis. No modern clothing is permitted inside the temple. A trust headed by the Travancore Royal Family looks after the temple. The mystery surrounding the temple is about the treasures in cellars/vaults at this temple. Some believe it to be billions of dollars and more that GDP of many countries. There are also many myths, mysteries and legends associated with the said treasure of the temple. Some vaults are still not opened as experts believe opening them will harm the structure of the temple, thus nobody know what treasures are present in the temple. No wonder that the government has installed Z-Security to protect the treasures kept in the cellars.

Venkateshwara Temple (Tirumala, Andhra Pradesh)

The Venkateshwara Temple is another mysterious temple of India located in the Tirupati area of Andhra Pradesh. Every day, some 50,000 pilgrims come to worship Lord Venkateshwara, sometimes referred to as Lord Balaji, a manifestation of Lord Vishnu. The temple attracts devotees from around the world. The energy and aura at the temple is something unique and one to experience. The temple has an annual turnover of about 6.5 million USD, making it one of the richest temples in India. The mystery here is that the Deity idol here is known to perspire and have real hair. Surprisingly, despite the priests' constant efforts to dry it off, the back of the idol remains moist. Also what is interesting is that it is believed when one properly positions their ear on the back of the Deity, one can hear massive sea waves.

Ananthapadmanabha Lake Temple (Kasaragod, Kerala)

In Kasaragod, Kerala, located is the Ananthapadmanabha Lake Temple. The temple is mysterious and unique because of its crocodile protector, Babia. Unlike other crocodiles, this one is a vegetarian. The crocodile, Babia, protects the temple and till date has never hurts anyone. Babia exclusively consumes the temple prasad, which consists of cooked rice and jaggery, despite the fact that crocodiles have a reputation for being vicious meat eaters. After the midday prayer, devotees even give Babia food with their hands. It is astonishing that Babia, who has been a resident of the lake for approximately 70 years, gets along nicely with people. The impressive wood carvings at the temple, which depict scenes of Lord Vishnu's incarnations, date back to the ninth century. There is a unique relationship between Babia and the temple priest. Babia once emerged from the pond, but it turned around and went back in response to the priest's command. There are other fish in the pond besides Babia, and this vegan crocodile hasn't hurt any of them. It is believed that when one crocodile dies or vanishes it is replaced by another one by nature.

Meenakshi Amman Temple (Madurai, Tamil Nadu)

Meenakshi Amman Temple is an extraordinary landmark located in the very heart of Madurai, Tamil Nadu. Madurai city as a whole has a deep bond with this temple. Meenakshi sometimes referred to as Goddess Parvati, and Sundareswarar, Lord Shiva, are the presiding Deities of this temple. This temple is considered one of the most mysterious in India because of architectural, historical and religious significance. The mesmerizing architecture of the temple is a mystery in itself. Experts are still puzzled about the architectural, technical and engineering marvel the temple is and how it was constructed without advanced technology and tools in ancient times. The temple has a hall with musical pillars whose mechanism experts aren’t able to solve till date. Also the pillars remain cool even in scorching temperatures, how this is achieved is still a mystery. Meenakshi Amman Temple, which covers an enormous 14-acre area, is not just large but also exceptionally old, with sculptures dating back about 3000 years. Inside, there are around 33,000 sculptures and 4000 pillars, each crafted from a single rock. Carvings of mythical creatures such as a lion with elephant heads and more found throughout the temple complex add to mysticism and mystery of the temple.

Jwala Ji Temple, Himachal Pradesh

The Jwala Ji Temple is located in the Kangra district in the state of Himachal Pradesh. It is one of the Shakti Peethas dedicated to Goddess Shakti. It is believed here is where the tongue of Goddess Shakti fell when Lord Vishnu cut Her corpse using Sudarshan Chakra during Lord Shiva’s tandava. Here in the temple there is no typical Goddess Idol which is worshipped instead there is natural blue flames that emerge from rock fissures within a square sanctum pit which is worshipped as a representation of Goddess Shakti’s tongue. The mystery of the temple is the unexplained, Divine blue eternal flame. The flame has no visible fuel source and experts have failed to find definitive natural source. Legends go that Mughal Emperor Akbar attempted to extinguish the flame using iron plates and water channels but failed.

Kaal Bhairav Nath Temple (Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh)

The Kaal Bhairav Nath Temple in Varanasi, UP is dedicated to Lord Kaal Bhairav, a fierce manifestation of Lord Shiva. The mystery or the uniqueness of the temple here is that here, in place of the typical offerings; people offer the God wine or whiskey and in-turn are blessed with blessings of courage, confidence and fearlessness. The offering of alcohol poured in the Idol’s mouth mysteriously disappears. Here, you won't find the typical flower garlands or sweet shops. Before entering the shrine, devotees purchase these alcohols from booths outside. Be prepared for long queues particularly on important Hindu festivals, but the wait will surely be worthwhile.

Stambheshwar Mahadev Temple (Kavi Kamboi Village, Gujarat)

Stambheshwar Mahadev Temple is another mysterious temple, close to Vadodara, that emerges from water and vanishes in it. Lord Shiva is said to reside in this temple, therefore those who dare to enter are bestowed with His blessings. The Stambheshwar Temple is only open for visits during low tide. The temple vanishes into the sea during high tides and resurfaces when the water level drops.

Ayurveda is science of Vedic medicine and wellbeing, a method of holistic healing from the ancient times. As a matter of fact, apart from a traditional way of therapy for various ailments, it is also considered as a spiritual science. There is a belief that ayurveda is a sub-branch or part of Vedas and the torch of knowledge have been passed on from one generation to the other through ages, similar to passing on of the Vedic literature and Vedic scriptures through memorization. Legends have that the knowledge of ayurveda was created by Lord Brahma, who is the creator of the universe. He further passed it onto Prajapati, who later passed it to Ashwini Kumari (the celestial twin physicians) and they passed it onto Lord Indra. According to the Charaka Samhita, the timeless knowledge of Ayurveda is reflected in every cycle of the universe's creation. In order to provide relief from humanity's suffering, Lord Vishnu Himself took the form of Lord Dhanvantari and gifted to mankind Ayurveda.

As per scriptures, Lord Dhanvantari is revered as the ‘Father of Ayurveda’. According to the Vedas and Puranas, He is the God of healing and medicine and physician or doctor for the Gods. In Sanatan Dharma Lord Dhanvantari is worshipped in order to receive his blessings of healing and relief from various diseases and ailments. Legends go that Kind Divodasa, an ancient king of Kashi was a manifestation of Lord Dhanvantari, He taught Ayurveda to a group of sages including the famous Indian surgeon Susruta. It is believed that Lord Dhanvantari emerged at the end of the 'Churning of the Ocean' carrying the precious nectar of immorality 'Amrit'. As per some ancient texts, He is regarded as one of the incarnations of Lord Vishnu.

Story of Lord Dhanvantri’s Manifestation

The story of Lord Dhanvantri’s origin is an interesting one and has great spiritual and Vedic significance. Bhagavata Purana states that both devas and asuras used the mountain Mandara as a pole and Vasuki, the serpent, as a cord to churn the ocean of milk. Various herbs were tossed into it. The churning was so difficult that Lord Vishnu had to appear in many avatars to assist them and keep the process moving forward. He even emerged as Lord Vishnu Himself, sitting on top of the mountain, to energize Indra and his companions.

The churning of the ocean eventually produced a lethal poison (halahala), which Lord Shiva consumed to save all creation. While he did so, His consort Goddess Parvati held his neck preventing the poison from reaching His stomach, and the halahala remained in Lord Shiva's throat, turning the color of his neck blue due to its power. This is why Lord Shiva is also known as Neelakantha meaning the Blue-Necked One.

Lord Dhanvantari emerged as the churning continued. His color was bluish black, his chest was broad, and he was young and firmly built. His fiery eyes and powerful arms gave him a lion-like stride. His hair was curly and oiled, and he had on him a bright yellow dress and pearl earrings that sparkled. He was carrying a conch, leeches, medicinal plants, a chakra (one of Lord Vishnu's sacred weapons), and the pot of ambrosia (nectar of immorality) that had been sought after.

Many Divine objects and beings surfaced from the ocean during the churning, such as Shri Lakshmi, the Goddess of Wealth, who was reunited with Her consort Lord Vishnu after being worshipped by all the Gods, devas, asuras, and everyone else present. Other Divine objects and beings that emerged from the ocean during the churning were Kamadhenu - the wish-fulfilling cow, Ucchaisrava - the white horse, Kaustubhamani - a rare diamond, Airavata and Kalpavriksha - the wish-fulfilling tree.

Seeing the nectar of immorality, the asuras overcome with greed and conceit, began fighting over who was going to drink the nectar first, stealing the pot from each other. Lord Vishnu took advantage of their distraction to deceive them, seeing just how preoccupied they were with their arguments. He assumed the enchanting form of Mohini, a mesmerizing woman who beguiled the demons, seized the nectar from them, and distributed it solely among the Gods. The demigods were energized and vanquished the demons as soon as they drank it. They returned to their place in the heavens after worshiping Lord Vishnu and Shri Laxmi.

Lord Vishnu predicted at the time of the churning that Lord Dhanvantari would reappear in the world to teach humanity the science of Ayurveda. Which is exactly what he did after Lord Indra requested Lord Dhanvantari to come to Earth and teach Ayurveda to mankind.

Meaning of the name Dhanvantri

The word Dhanvantri is a Sanskrit word made from words ‘Dhan’ meaning wealth and ‘Vantari’ meaning owner thus Dhanvantri means ‘one who owns great wealth’. Another meaning of the name is ‘oasis in the desert’ as dhanvan means desert. Lord Dhanvantari is considered as a Divine being or a sage by many. He is the symbol of healing and hope. His teachings emphasize the significance of living in tune with nature, maintaining a balance of mind, body, and spirit, and accepting the natural world's innate knowledge.

Lord Dhanvantri and History of Ayurveda

Ancient scriptures describe Lord Dhanvantari as a manifestation of Lord Vishnu, Divine healer or physician of Gods and the creator of Ayurveda. Today Lord Dhanvantari is worshipped for good health, wellbeing and healing and the day of his emergence from the ocean is celebrated as Dhanteras. Lord Dhanvantari made aware all that the knowledge of Ayurveda was created by Lord Brahma even before He created humans, and the said is available in the 1,000 chapters of the Atharvaveda. As it is difficult for the limited human mind to comprehend this knowledge Lord Dhanvantari reorganized classical Ayurveda into eight divisions namely Kaaya Chikitsa, Baala Chikitsa, Graha Chikitsa, Urdhvaanga Chikitsa, Shalya Chikitsa, Damstra Chikitsa, Jara Chikitsa and Vrsha Chikitsa.