Historical Places In India To Visit This Pride Month

Waquar Habib

Khajuraho Group of Monuments

Built between the 9th and 13th centuries by the Chandela dynasty, these temples feature carvings that openly depict same-sex intimacy, gender fluidity, and diverse expressions of desire rooted in tantric traditions.

Khajuraho Temples | Unsplash

Konark Sun Temple

This 13th-century UNESCO World Heritage Site contains erotic stone sculptures, including representations of same-sex intimacy, reflecting a time when Indian temple art embraced the full spectrum of human sexuality.

A view of the majestic Konark Sun Temple | Shutterstock

Chausath Yogini Temples

These ancient temples, often circular in design, celebrate 64 fierce female deities. They reflect esoteric tantric practices and embrace fluid, non-binary forms of gender and spiritual power.

Fifty-six of the 64 idols of the Chausath Yogini temple in Hirapur have survived | neo4mcal/Shutterstock

Koovagam Village

The Koovagam Festival is held annually in Koovagam village, this festival honours the trans Hijra community’s symbolic marriage to the deity Aravan, preserving ancient recognition of trans identities through religious and cultural celebration.

At the Koovagam Festival | @PARInetwork/x

Jamali-Kamali Tomb

Dating to the 16th century, this Mughal-era tomb in Mehrauli is believed to be the resting place of Sufi poet Jamali and his companion Kamali. Their shared tomb suggests a deep, possibly queer, bond.

Inside the Jamali Kamali Tomb | thedelhipedia/Instagram

Hijron Ka Khanqah

This 15th-century spiritual site in Mehrauli is associated with the Hijra community. It reflects early Islamic-era recognition of third-gender individuals, offering both refuge and sacred space for spiritual life.

A view of Hijron Ka Khanqah | Wikimedia Commons

Pride Month 2025: Unearthing India’s Hidden Queer Legacy

Close up of artful carved walls of Kandariya Mahadeva Temple, Khajuraho | Shutterstock
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