Five Things to Know about Visiting a Hindu Temple
On August 03, 2023There are certain things to be followed when visiting places of worship, whether it is a temple, church, mosque, synagogue, etc. Some rules of decorum are necessary, after all, when one is in the presence of the divine.
This article describes 5 things one should keep in mind when visiting a Hindu temple.
1) Temple etiquette
A temple is a sacred space and abode of God. It is where people come to offer worship and seek connection to the Absolute.
Most Hindu temples are open to the public, Some temples even allow entry to people of other religions. There are certain points of etiquette that one must observe in a temple.
One is to be clean and decently dressed. One should not wear shorts, and one’s shoulders must be covered. Different temples may have different traditions. Some demand simple attire. Men have to be shirtless or wear only unsewn cloth.
Devotees visiting a temple are like guests in God’s abode. One cannot wear shoes or slippers inside a temple. Most temples usually have a designated area outside the temple complex for keeping footwear. We go to many places, some dirty, in our footwear, so removing them makes us cleaner. It also indicates respect for God.
In a lot of temples, there is a brass bell hanging near the entrance. Devotees ring the bell before entering the temple. It is like knocking on someone’s door to announce your arrival. Ringing the temple bell is a way to convey to the deities that you’ve come seeking their association.
The next step is to pay obeisance. When we bow down and touch the head to the ground, it is to show humility and respect before God.
People offer flowers, fruits, etc., as offerings to the deity, just like we take some gift when we visit a friend. It is not mandatory, but making an offering is an act of service that enhances one’s devotion.
2) Worshipping the Deities
In a temple, there will be one or several idols of deities. These are called murtis. These deities comprise the focal point of the temple’s activities. True worship goes beyond visiting the temple now and then to seek blessings or forgiveness. It is more engaging all the senses in the service of God. Hindus believe that God is omnipresent, but when there is a physical form to worship, it helps us to use the five senses in our worship.
Murtis are made s per scriptural guidelines. It is an art that is handed down through generations. After performing certain rituals, the idols are installed in a temple. The mode of worship is through Pooja, where the priest offers flowers, water, incense, food, and a lamp.
Pooja rituals differ from region to region. At the Puri Jagannath temple, dances by skilled dancers form part of the offering. At the Madurai Meenakshi temple, where Shiva and Parvati are worshipped, there is a fire sacrifice in which oblations of different grains are offered. The Pooja items are then distributed to those present as prasadam.
In a temple, all our five senses are spiritually aroused – we can see the deity’s form, smell the flowers and incense, feel the water and light, taste the food, and hear the sound of the bell that the priest rings during the Pooja.
3) Mantra Meditation and Chanting
Hindu temple worship, Poojas, and other rituals are not typically congregational. The priest does not deliver sermons or talk to devotees who are present, as it is in other religious traditions like Christianity, where there is Mass and the Sunday sermon, etc.
But there is one important aspect of worship that is congregational in nature in some temples and communities. Vedic texts say that the first layer of Creation is sound. It is also the most subtle. Hence, Mantra meditation is a very powerful way to transform one’s consciousness.
The Sanskrit word “Mantra” comes from the roots “man” (mind) and “tra” (to deliver). It implies ‘deliverance of the mind from material suffering’. For this reason, Mantra meditation is very common in Hindu temples. People use rosaries made of Rudraksha beads for meditation usually. They chant the names of the deity they worship, and this purifies their thoughts, words, and actions and connects them to the divine.
Mantra meditation is also applicable to music. This is called kirtan. It follows a a call and response method, with one person leading and the others following. This creates a powerful kinship that helps connect and uplift people.
4) Temples in the home
One can have a temple at home as well. In Hinduism, spirituality is more of an individual experience. If one has a spare room or some space, one can use it as a place for prayer and meditation. To make it more spiritual, one can have an altar and place the idol or murti on it. One advantage of this is that one has a personal space for worship and meditation. It can also make a person maintain peace and cleanliness at home due to the divine presence.
5) Spiritual guidance
Sadhana means ‘daily spiritual practice’ in Hinduism. It is essential for making spiritual progress. When visiting a temple, you meet other people who are focusing on their spiritual lives. This can inspire you to focus on your own spiritual life as well. Being around others who are serious about their sadhana can motivate us to become more serious about our sadhana. This is called satsang or the company of like-minded people.
One should find someone who is more advanced on the spiritual path if one wants spiritual guidance. In other words, one should seek out a Guru. Such Gurus often give discourses or sermons in temples. It is worthwhile to listen to such lectures now and then for spiritual guidance.
2) Worshipping the Deities
In a temple, there will be one or several idols of deities. These are called murtis. These deities comprise the focal point of the temple’s activities. True worship goes beyond visiting the temple now and then to seek blessings or forgiveness. It is more engaging all the senses in the service of God. Hindus believe that God is omnipresent, but when there is a physical form to worship, it helps us to use the five senses in our worship.
Murtis are made s per scriptural guidelines. It is an art that is handed down through generations. After performing certain rituals, the idols are installed in a temple. The mode of worship is through Pooja, where the priest offers flowers, water, incense, food, and a lamp.
Pooja rituals differ from region to region. At the Puri Jagannath temple, dances by skilled dancers form part of the offering. At the Madurai Meenakshi temple, where Shiva and Parvati are worshipped, there is a fire sacrifice in which oblations of different grains are offered. The Pooja items are then distributed to those present as prasadam.
In a temple, all our five senses are spiritually aroused – we can see the deity’s form, smell the flowers and incense, feel the water and light, taste the food, and hear the sound of the bell that the priest rings during the Pooja.
3) Mantra Meditation and Chanting
Hindu temple worship, Poojas, and other rituals are not typically congregational. The priest does not deliver sermons or talk to devotees who are present, as it is in other religious traditions like Christianity, where there is Mass and the Sunday sermon, etc.
But there is one important aspect of worship that is congregational in nature in some temples and communities. Vedic texts say that the first layer of Creation is sound. It is also the most subtle. Hence, Mantra meditation is a very powerful way to transform one’s consciousness.
The Sanskrit word “Mantra” comes from the roots “man” (mind) and “tra” (to deliver). It implies ‘deliverance of the mind from material suffering’. For this reason, Mantra meditation is very common in Hindu temples. People use rosaries made of Rudraksha beads for meditation usually. They chant the names of the deity they worship, and this purifies their thoughts, words, and actions and connects them to the divine.
Mantra meditation is also applicable to music. This is called kirtan. It follows a a call and response method, with one person leading and the others following. This creates a powerful kinship that helps connect and uplift people.
4) Temples in the home
One can have a temple at home as well. In Hinduism, spirituality is more of an individual experience. If one has a spare room or some space, one can use it as a place for prayer and meditation. To make it more spiritual, one can have an altar and place the idol or murti on it. One advantage of this is that one has a personal space for worship and meditation. It can also make a person maintain peace and cleanliness at home due to the divine presence.
5) Spiritual guidance
Sadhana means ‘daily spiritual practice’ in Hinduism. It is essential for making spiritual progress. When visiting a temple, you meet other people who are focusing on their spiritual lives. This can inspire you to focus on your own spiritual life as well. Being around others who are serious about their sadhana can motivate us to become more serious about our sadhana. This is called satsang or the company of like-minded people.
One should find someone who is more advanced on the spiritual path if one wants spiritual guidance. In other words, one should seek out a Guru. Such Gurus often give discourses or sermons in temples. It is worthwhile to listen to such lectures now and then for spiritual guidance.