10 Erotic Temples in India That Will Surprise You

India is one of those countries where you can lose yourself from temple to temple, enjoying a history, culture, and, of course, a religion completely different from our own. And it is precisely on this route through the temples of this wonderful country where we will see firsthand that not all religions are the same.

By this, we're not only referring to the fact that, for example, Indians worship different gods—and not just one, but also to another detail that's much more surprising for tourists. Among the hundreds of temples we can visit during our trip, we'll come across the so-called erotic temples, which are filled with sculptures and reliefs depicting orgies, threesomes, and other sexual references.

These are the top 10 that can't be missed on your itinerary.

1. Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh

We begin with what is undoubtedly the most famous sexual temple in all of India: Khajuraho. It's a complex made up of several temples whose origin is directly attributed to the desire of the gods, such as Shiva. On each and every one of the temples in this complex, we see sculptures of the different gods engaging in erotic intercourse. The first obligatory stop on your route.

2. Temple of the Sun, Odisha

Although the former is considered the most important of India's sexual temples, the Sun Temple, located in Konark and also known as the Temple of Surya, is also noteworthy. Its sexual references and sculptures are so numerous that it has even been described as the most "obscene." However, it must be kept in mind that in India, until very recently, sex has always played an important, almost sacred role.

3. Ranakpur, Rajasthan

This Jain temple, made entirely of marble, is considered one of the most spectacular in all of India. Although at first glance, you'll be overwhelmed by its magnificence and majesty, if you look closely, you'll find a section entirely dedicated to this type of art, where you can admire completely unique erotic sculptures.

4. Mahalingeswarar Temple, Tamil Nadu

With a name unpronounceable for Spanish speakers, this is one of the most picturesque temples in India. It is dedicated to Shiva and, in fact, is considered one of the largest temples dedicated to this deity. Its facades are full of colorful erotic sculptures, which even depict different positions from the Kama Sutra. As a curiosity, we remind you that the first version of the aforementioned Kama Sutra was written in this country, between the 4th and 2nd centuries BC.

5. Virupaksha, Karnataka

Finally, this temple, located in Hampi, in the state of Kanataka, is also highly valued by tourists and locals alike. In fact, it has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its sculptures will leave you mesmerized, and you can see depictions of various sexual acts, including the aforementioned orgies and threesomes, among many other scenes.

6. Lakshmana Temple, Madhya Pradesh

This is one of the oldest temples in the Khajuraho site. The Lakshmana temple , dedicated to Vaikuntha-Vishnu, was built in 939, during the reign of Yashovarman, a rajâ of the Chandela dynasty. Its decorations are incredibly fine and represent more than 500 gods of Indian tradition.

Erotic elements feature on the frieze that adorns the perimeter of the temple. Between orgy scenes (with animals) and embracing couples, visitors have the opportunity to appreciate debauched sexual practices.

7. Kandariya Mahadeva Temple, Madhya Pradesh

Dedicated to Shiva, the Kandariya-Mahadeva temple is the largest on the site, standing at 30 meters high. It also features the richest ornamentation, with approximately 650 statues on the exterior and 226 on the interior. However, it is believed to have been built later, around 1030. The sculptures on the exterior of the temple feature a multitude of erotic depictions, some of which are surprising. Or inspiring.

8. Jagadambi Temple, Madhya Pradesh

This building, dedicated to Parvati, Shiva's wife, is one of the most finely decorated on the site. Located on the same platform as the Kandariya Mahadeva temple, it also displays numerous delicate erotic scenes on its three bands of sculptures all around the temple.

9. Chitragupta Temple, Madhya Pradesh

The Chitragupta Temple is dedicated to Surya, the Sun, whose sculpture is found inside the temple. Its construction is dated between 1020 and 1025, the same time as the Kandariya-Mahadeva Temple.

Here again, it is the exterior walls of the temple that are covered with erotic scenes: embracing couples, concubines and young nymphs showing their yoni , the female sex in Sanskrit.

10. Visvanatha Temple, Madhya Pradesh

Finally, dating from the same period as the Lakshmana temple, the Visvanatha temple is dedicated to Shiva. It is said to have contained two representations of the lingam (male sex in Sanskrit), one in emerald and the other in stone. The stone lingam still exists, but there is no trace of the emerald sculpture.

Three bands of sculptures feature the same kind of erotic figures as the temples on the site, including scenes of acrobatic love. They also feature female figures in languid poses and depictions of men engaged in sodomy while women cover their eyes.