Indian Temples Built Over ‘Cursed’ Ground

India’s rich spiritual landscape is dotted with temples that are not just places of worship but also centers of deep myths, legends, and sometimes eerie curses. Among these, some famous temples stand on grounds believed by locals to be cursed, with stories that have been passed down through generations. Here’s a look at three such iconic temple sites — Talakadu, Kiradu, and Padmanabhaswamy — and the curses that surround them.


Talakadu, located on the banks of the River Kaveri in Karnataka, is known for its haunting curse that turned a flourishing city into a vast desert of sand dunes. According to local legend, the curse was pronounced by Alamelamma, the queen of the Vijayanagara Empire’s Mysore region in the 17th century.
When the Mysore king attempted to forcibly take Alamelamma’s jewelry after she fled Talakadu, she cursed the land with three devastating calamities:
1. The entire town would be buried under sand.
2. The royal family would die without heirs.
3. The land would remain barren.
Talakadu indeed has ancient temples partially buried in sand, and the region’s terrain is dominated by sand dunes — a striking contrast to the lush surroundings. The temples, many dating back to the 10th-12th centuries, are periodically excavated, revealing ruins swallowed by sand. Locals firmly believe the curse is active and responsible for this natural phenomenon, reinforced by the absence of significant habitation in the ancient city’s ruins.


Kiradu, known as the "Khajuraho of Rajasthan," houses a cluster of intricately carved 11th-12th century temples in the Barmer district. The site was once a thriving city under the Chauhan rulers but was mysteriously abandoned, and local folklore attributes this to a curse.
According to legend, a local ruler or priest was angered by the invading forces or desecration of the temples, and he cursed the city to be deserted forever. The curse supposedly caused the city to fall into ruin overnight, forcing inhabitants to flee. Since then, the temples and the city remain isolated and forgotten beneath desert sands.
Archaeological evidence shows Kiradu’s abandonment likely resulted from invasions, drought, or shifting trade routes. Yet locals passionately believe the curse explains why the city vanished suddenly and why the temples remain desolate. The region’s harsh desert environment reinforces the belief that the curse has kept life away from this once-vibrant settlement.


Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, is famed for its legendary hidden vaults filled with immense treasures. Among six underground vaults, Vault B remains unopened due to an ancient curse. According to local belief and temple tradition, attempting to open this vault would unleash a deadly curse, bringing disaster or death upon those who dare disturb it.
The temple’s lore says the vault is protected by divine forces and ancient spells, warning that even the royal family must respect the sanctity of the locked chamber.
While Vault B remains sealed, no scientific or archaeological evidence has confirmed a supernatural curse. However, the royal family and temple authorities uphold this belief strictly, and locals deeply respect the warning. The temple’s status as one of India’s wealthiest and most sacred sites amplifies the aura of mystery, and the curse remains a strong part of local faith.

In each case, the curses serve multiple roles:
1. Explanations for mystery: The curses help explain natural disasters, city abandonment, or unexplored areas that lack clear scientific answers.
2. Cultural identity: They reinforce local identity and keep the stories of these ancient places alive across generations.
3. Respect and preservation: The belief in curses often protects these temples and sites from damage or looting.
India’s temples are more than just stone and architecture; they are repositories of history, faith, and folklore. The curses of Talakadu, Kiradu, and Padmanabhaswamy continue to intrigue and caution, reminding us that the sacred and the mysterious often walk hand in hand.