6 Temples Where Demons Were Worshipped as Gods

श्रीरामो रामो रामेति रमे रामे मनोरमे।

सहस्रनाम तत्तुल्यं रामनाम वरानने॥

"Chanting the name of Rama once equals chanting the thousand names of Vishnu."

Yet, the same tradition that raised Lord Rama to divinity also preserved the memory of those who opposed him. Hinduism is a civilization where even the villains of epics are not erased but remembered, sometimes with reverence. Demons, or asuras and rakshasas, who once stood against the gods, continue to be worshipped in certain temples. This is not a contradiction but a reflection of the Hindu worldview, which sees the divine in all beings and acknowledges that Dharma is not one-sided.

Across India, there exist temples where figures considered “demons” in popular retellings are revered as gods. These shrines tell us that victory and defeat do not determine divinity, and that worship is as much about memory and respect as it is about morality.

Bisrakh in Uttar Pradesh is believed to be the birthplace of Ravana, the king of Lanka. The village derives its name from Vishrava, Ravana’s father. Unlike most of India where Dussehra celebrates Ravana’s defeat, Bisrakh reveres him as a learned scholar and devotee of Lord Shiva. The Ravana temple here is unusual, for instead of burning effigies, locals perform rituals for his soul, believing that mocking him brings misfortune. The temple architecture is still incomplete, reflecting the belief that Ravana’s temple can never be finished, for his story itself is unresolved in human consciousness.

In Vidisha district of Madhya Pradesh lies Ravangram, a village where Ravana is still worshipped. A 10-foot-long idol of Ravana is enshrined here, and villagers perform special prayers on Dussehra, not to celebrate his death but to honor his power and wisdom. Locals see Ravana not as a villain but as a great king, a master of the Vedas, and a devout follower of Lord Shiva. The worship here represents an alternate telling of the Ramayana, one that sees Ravana as a tragic hero rather than an evil force.

At Eravikulangara Bhagavathy Temple in Ernakulam, both dharma and adharma are honored together. Here, along with the goddess Bhagavathy, the asura king Darika is worshipped. According to legend, Darika received a boon of invincibility, and it was Goddess Bhadrakali who had to slay him. Yet instead of erasing him, the temple continues to revere his memory, offering rituals to pacify his spirit. The worship of Darika here represents the recognition that even asuras are part of the cosmic cycle and deserve ritual respect.

The Kottiyoor Temple in Kannur is associated with the asura Mahishasura. Though Mahishasura is remembered in Devi mythology as the demon slain by Goddess Durga, certain traditions in Kerala continue to honor his memory during temple festivals. In these rituals, Mahishasura is not mocked but given offerings before the goddess is worshipped. This reflects the Hindu principle that even an adversary of the gods has a role in sustaining the balance of creation. Without Mahishasura, Durga’s divine role as the slayer would never have been revealed.

While Duryodhana is not a rakshasa but a Kaurava prince, his temple in Malanada, Kerala, reflects the same spirit of worshipping those considered villains. The Poruvazhy Peruviruthy Malanada Temple is the only known temple dedicated to Duryodhana. Local legend holds that when Duryodhana reached this place during his search for the Pandavas, he was treated kindly by the villagers. In gratitude, he granted them land and privileges. Even today, rituals are performed in his honor, and the temple festival draws thousands. The worship of Duryodhana highlights how cultural memory can turn even a negative character into a revered ancestor figure.

Ahobilam in Andhra Pradesh is primarily a Narasimha shrine, where Vishnu’s man-lion avatar killed the asura king Hiranyakashipu. Yet within the vast temple complex, Hiranyakashipu’s lineage, including his son Prahlada, is remembered with respect. Some local traditions honor Hiranyakashipu not merely as a tyrant but as a devout follower of Brahma, whose tapas granted him near-immortality. While Narasimha is the deity of the temple, rituals also acknowledge the fallen asura, reflecting the Hindu recognition that even opposition to the gods is part of the eternal balance of cosmic drama.

The worship of demons in temples raises a profound question: why would a culture honor its villains? The answer lies in the inclusiveness of Hindu thought. Unlike dualistic traditions where good and evil are eternal enemies, Hindu philosophy sees both as expressions of the same divine reality. Asuras and devas are both children of Kashyapa, born of the same cosmic womb. One side represents order, the other chaos, but neither can exist without the other.

By worshipping demons, communities are not celebrating evil but acknowledging the complexity of Dharma. Ravana, Duryodhana, Mahishasura, and Hiranyakashipu were flawed beings, yet they were also learned, powerful, and deeply human in their ambitions. Their temples remind us that history is written by victors, but memory belongs to all.