Things to follow in temples - Aalaya Niyamaalu

గురు బ్రహ్మ గురుర్ విష్ణుః గురుర్ దేవో మహేశ్వరః

గురు స్సాక్షాత్ పరబ్రహ్మ తస్మై శ్రీ గురవే నమః

 

శుక్లాం బరధరం విష్ణుం శశివర్ణం చతుర్భుజం

ప్రసన్న వదనం ధ్యాయేత్ సర్వ విఘ్నోప శాంతయే

 

శ్రుతి స్మృతి పురాణానాం ఆలయం కరుణాలయం

నమామి భగవత్ పాదం శంకరం లోక శంకరం

 

ఓం నమః శివాయ

There are few things that we have to follow when visiting temples.

1.    When we enter a temple there will be a big pillar (Dhwaja Stambham) obstructing our direct view to the God. The reason for keeping this is that we should not stand directly in front of the God in the temple. Even if there is a place which allows you stand in front of the God, never stand there and pray. One should stand on either side, preferably facing north while praying. The main God of the temple always face East (except Dakshinamurthy who faces South) in temples. Even at home while performing Pooja, its better to face North and perform Pooja. In houses, the vigrahas face west. Look at the picture above to see how Sri Sri Sri Jagadguru Bharathi Theertha Swamiji is performing the pooja.

2.    Pradakshina (going around) should always be in Clockwise direction ensuring that the God is always on our right side. This is the reason why one should stand facing north so that God is on the right hand side, if possible.

3.    When there are other small temples within the main temple compound, never do a saashtanga pranaamam (prostrating - completely lying down on the floor) as your legs might point towards another god in the same vicinity. If there is a great person in the temple, one should not prostrate in front of that person. This can be done just outside the temple.

4.    In a Siva temple, never walk between Nandi and Shiva, even if there is space.

5.    Generally, we are told to sit in the temple for some time before leaving. The reason for that is this. One should have a very good look of the god from head to toe. Whenever we sit for praying and when we remember that god, then we will be able to recollect the entire image as is, which will enable us focus during our meditation. So once we are done with our darshan of the Lord, we should sit there for some time and recollect Gods image and paint the picture once more so that it is imprinted properly. Sitting in the temple after darshan is not for discussing about the quality of Prasaadam or politics.

6.    While leaving the temple, try moving backwards instead of turning back and leaving, as much as possible.

7.    Maintaining silence is a must in temples. This is to ensure that even if we are not able to pray properly, we should atleast not disturb others who are able to. Temple is not a place to talk about general things. Small kids should be educated on this aspect so that they don’t keep shouting there.

8.    Teertham and Prasaadam (offerings) are very important. This is an offering from God. One sixth of the portion that we consume has direct impact on our heart and mind. They get purified.

9.    Also when flowers are offered to us, those should not be thrown on the floor lest someone should step on those. Whatever we are not able to use, we should place them on a wall or somewhere in the temple where people will not be able to place their feet on.

 

సర్వే జనాః సుఖినో భవంతు

PS: There could be typos and other mistakes in telugu and english, kindly pardon me with big hearts.