Is Brahma Still Worshipped? 5 Temples That Defy the Curse
Nidhi | Jul 14, 2025, 17:13 IST
( Image credit : Freepik )
Highlight of the story: Unlike Vishnu or Shiva, Brahma is rarely worshipped in India — a mystery rooted in ancient myths and curses. This article explores 5 fascinating temples that still honour the Creator. From Pushkar’s sacred lake to hidden shrines in Tamil Nadu and Goa, discover how these rare sites keep Brahma’s legacy alive, and what they reveal about creation, faith, and the forgotten gods of Hinduism.
“नमो ब्रह्मण्यदेवाय गो ब्राह्मणहिताय च।
जगतां हितकारीाय गोविन्दाय नमो नमः॥”
Salutations to the divine who upholds Brahman, who protects cows and Brahmins, and who nurtures the well-being of the world.
In the vast pantheon of Hindu deities, one figure stands as an enigma: Brahma, the Creator. Revered in the earliest Vedic hymns as the Supreme Creator of the universe, Brahma’s worship dwindled over millennia until he became, paradoxically, the god with almost no temples. This curious neglect is more than just historical amnesia. It is tied to powerful myths, ancient curses, and deep philosophical symbolism that still influence how millions relate to creation itself.
Yet, even the ‘cursed Creator’ has not been completely forgotten. Scattered across India and beyond are a handful of rare temples that continue to defy the so-called curse, keeping Brahma’s presence alive in stone and ritual. These shrines stand not only as architectural marvels but also as silent reminders that no cosmic force, not even a divine curse, can erase the spirit of creation.
Before we travel to these sanctuaries, it’s worth understanding why Brahma’s worship faded while Vishnu, Shiva, and the Goddess rose to prominence.
According to Puranic legends, Brahma, in his boundless act of creation, grew arrogant. When he created Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge, he became so infatuated with her that he sprouted four heads to gaze at her from every direction. Disturbed by this imbalance between wisdom and desire, Shiva, the destroyer, severed Brahma’s fifth head as a symbolic act of restraint. In many versions, Shiva or Saraswati herself curses Brahma, declaring that he shall no longer receive widespread worship on Earth.
But mythology often hides deeper truths. Unlike Vishnu, the Preserver, and Shiva, the Destroyer, Brahma’s work of creation is seen as complete. The universe is already made; it is preservation and destruction that keep it alive. Some scholars say this philosophical idea naturally reduced the need for his worship over time. Yet, in quiet corners of India, his temples whisper that creation never truly ends.
Perhaps the most famous of all, the Brahma Temple at Pushkar is said to be the only one of its kind where Brahma is worshipped on a grand scale. Legend says that when Brahma performed a yajna here to kill a demon, his wife Savitri was late. In her absence, he married Gayatri to complete the ritual. Enraged, Savitri cursed Brahma that he would not be worshipped anywhere else except at Pushkar. To this day, thousands flock to this sacred lake town to pay homage to the Creator, especially during the annual Kartik Poornima fair.
Architecturally, the temple is simple yet profound, marked by a striking red spire and silver turtle motif. The sanctum houses a four-headed idol of Brahma, his gaze fixed eternally in every direction, a reminder of both his cosmic role and his inescapable curse.
Deep in the cultural heart of Tamil Nadu lies Thirupattur, home to the ancient Brahmapureeswarar Temple. Though primarily dedicated to Shiva, this temple holds unique significance for Brahma devotees. It is believed that Brahma, burdened by the curse of Shiva, worshipped him here to be freed from its effects. Pleased, Shiva granted Brahma the power to rewrite one’s destiny, turning the place into a spiritual magnet for those seeking to change their fate.
Inside the temple precinct, there is a rare shrine exclusively for Brahma, where he is depicted seated with a flowing beard and Vedas in hand, a serene sage-like figure, far from the restless Creator of myth.
Nestled in the Sabarkantha district of Gujarat, the Khedbrahma Temple holds immense local reverence. It is one of the few temples in western India where Brahma is the presiding deity. According to lore, Brahma performed penance here after creating the world, and the site is revered as a sacred kshetra that nourishes all beings.
This temple has long been a pilgrimage spot for Brahmins, who believe that a visit here cleanses one’s karmic burdens. Its modest architecture contrasts with its profound spiritual significance, drawing those who still seek blessings directly from the Creator.
Tucked away in the serene village of Carambolim in Goa’s Satari taluka, the Brahma Karmali Temple is another rare testament to Brahma’s living presence. Local legends claim the idol here is over 12 centuries old, carried by migrating Brahmin communities to preserve it during turbulent invasions.
The deity is worshipped as Lord Brahman, often depicted holding the Vedas and a scepter of knowledge. The annual jatra (festival) sees vibrant processions, music, and rituals that keep this forgotten facet of Goa’s spiritual heritage alive.
Hidden in the temple town of Kaleshwaram on the Telangana–Andhra border region, the Nandikeshwar Brahma Temple is an unusual site where Brahma is venerated alongside Shiva and Nandi, the bull mount. Pilgrims believe that a darshan here grants them the grace of creation, protection, and dissolution in one ritual circuit.
Though not grand in scale, the temple stands as a symbol of Brahma’s subtle endurance in the cultural fabric of South India, an ever-present witness to the cycles of time and fate.
These five temples are more than just historical oddities. They reveal how myths, faith, and geography shape what we choose to remember or forget. They remind us that even in neglect, Brahma’s essence lives on. For seekers, these temples hold a profound lesson: creation, like the human spirit, cannot be permanently suppressed.
Brahma’s rare shrines also hint at a deeper truth about Hindu philosophy. Creation, preservation, and destruction are not separate acts but an eternal cycle. To worship Brahma is to honor the infinite potential within us, the power to dream, to build, to imagine anew. In an age obsessed with preservation and destruction, the Vishnu and Shiva within us, we often forget that every ending demands a new beginning.
Standing before Brahma’s scattered temples, one realises that curses, legends, and human forgetfulness may overshadow gods, but they cannot erase ideas. Perhaps that is the Creator’s final blessing to us: the hidden reminder that every forgotten corner can bloom again, every neglected idea can be reborn, and every act of creation, no matter how small, defies the darkness of neglect.
So, if you ever find yourself at one of these ancient shrines, pause for a moment. Close your eyes. Offer your silent prayer not just to the god who creates the world, but to the Creator within, the spark that can shape your destiny anew.
May the curse be a lesson and the temples be a reminder: true creation can never truly be destroyed.
जगतां हितकारीाय गोविन्दाय नमो नमः॥”
Salutations to the divine who upholds Brahman, who protects cows and Brahmins, and who nurtures the well-being of the world.
In the vast pantheon of Hindu deities, one figure stands as an enigma: Brahma, the Creator. Revered in the earliest Vedic hymns as the Supreme Creator of the universe, Brahma’s worship dwindled over millennia until he became, paradoxically, the god with almost no temples. This curious neglect is more than just historical amnesia. It is tied to powerful myths, ancient curses, and deep philosophical symbolism that still influence how millions relate to creation itself.
Yet, even the ‘cursed Creator’ has not been completely forgotten. Scattered across India and beyond are a handful of rare temples that continue to defy the so-called curse, keeping Brahma’s presence alive in stone and ritual. These shrines stand not only as architectural marvels but also as silent reminders that no cosmic force, not even a divine curse, can erase the spirit of creation.
1. Why Brahma Was ‘Cursed’ and Forgotten
According to Puranic legends, Brahma, in his boundless act of creation, grew arrogant. When he created Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge, he became so infatuated with her that he sprouted four heads to gaze at her from every direction. Disturbed by this imbalance between wisdom and desire, Shiva, the destroyer, severed Brahma’s fifth head as a symbolic act of restraint. In many versions, Shiva or Saraswati herself curses Brahma, declaring that he shall no longer receive widespread worship on Earth.
But mythology often hides deeper truths. Unlike Vishnu, the Preserver, and Shiva, the Destroyer, Brahma’s work of creation is seen as complete. The universe is already made; it is preservation and destruction that keep it alive. Some scholars say this philosophical idea naturally reduced the need for his worship over time. Yet, in quiet corners of India, his temples whisper that creation never truly ends.
5 Temples Where Brahma Still Lives
1. Pushkar Brahma Temple, Rajasthan
Architecturally, the temple is simple yet profound, marked by a striking red spire and silver turtle motif. The sanctum houses a four-headed idol of Brahma, his gaze fixed eternally in every direction, a reminder of both his cosmic role and his inescapable curse.
2. Brahmapureeswarar Temple, Tamil Nadu
Inside the temple precinct, there is a rare shrine exclusively for Brahma, where he is depicted seated with a flowing beard and Vedas in hand, a serene sage-like figure, far from the restless Creator of myth.
3. Khedbrahma Temple, Gujarat
This temple has long been a pilgrimage spot for Brahmins, who believe that a visit here cleanses one’s karmic burdens. Its modest architecture contrasts with its profound spiritual significance, drawing those who still seek blessings directly from the Creator.
4. Brahma Karmali Temple, Goa
The deity is worshipped as Lord Brahman, often depicted holding the Vedas and a scepter of knowledge. The annual jatra (festival) sees vibrant processions, music, and rituals that keep this forgotten facet of Goa’s spiritual heritage alive.
5. Nandikeshwar Brahma Temple, Andhra Pradesh
Though not grand in scale, the temple stands as a symbol of Brahma’s subtle endurance in the cultural fabric of South India, an ever-present witness to the cycles of time and fate.
Why These Temples Matter
Brahma’s rare shrines also hint at a deeper truth about Hindu philosophy. Creation, preservation, and destruction are not separate acts but an eternal cycle. To worship Brahma is to honor the infinite potential within us, the power to dream, to build, to imagine anew. In an age obsessed with preservation and destruction, the Vishnu and Shiva within us, we often forget that every ending demands a new beginning.
What These Temples Teach Us
So, if you ever find yourself at one of these ancient shrines, pause for a moment. Close your eyes. Offer your silent prayer not just to the god who creates the world, but to the Creator within, the spark that can shape your destiny anew.
May the curse be a lesson and the temples be a reminder: true creation can never truly be destroyed.