This is an article explaining the sanctity of the’ temples’
and some of the rituals, sanctity of the dress codes and at the same time
showing the shallowness or illogicality/irrelevance of some of the practices
followed by many of the temples.
Temples classification
There are thousands of temples throughout the length and
breadth of the country. Out of this there are many which are temples and many
which are labeled as temples but are an insult to the real temples and worship.
This article is about the real temples not the duplicate ones. By the tern
duplicate, I mean temples built overnight to encroach Government or other
innocent private land owners by unscrupulous, greedy and anti social people or organizations
using muscle power and connivance of the some persons in the departments
concerned. These temples have come up over a period of time in trickles but
after the Babri Masjid trouble created by Advani there was mushrooming of these
unauthorized and illegal and nonreligious temples.
What is the sanctity of worshiping in the
temples?
The genuine once are those built by the kings or rulers in
the prominent and auspicious areas of the human settlements most of which are
old. These are institutions not merely
for performing temple rituals/worships but places where people get rejuvenation
or energy for the body and mind. These temples had the proper way building the
structure, proper installation of the various idols of appropriate deities at
the appropriate places/shrines within the complex. These installations are done
under the experts of vaasthu, astrology, qualified experts and well learned pundits
all coordinately doing their work with the common goal for the sanctity of
the temple. They have observed all the rules and regulations appropriately
prescribed in the scriptures with the appropriate Mantras, Thanthras and
Yanthras etc as per the literature in the puranas evolved by the Maharishis. Place itself will be the peak positive energy
center in the whole surroundings. With the idols made from selected
stones/rocks by experts and sculptured by and under expert sculptures specialized
in temple idols the energy effect will be enhanced. Added to this is the effect
of expert chanting of the proper Mantras, tantras and yantras and other rituals
which all will redouble the energy level. The sanctum sanctorum will be the center
of the positive power energy in the whole complex and the idol will be
installed in the peak energy point. The
brass lamps lighted with the proper oil and cotton wick, the flowers, the
chanting of the mantras, the incenses, camphor light etc will make the sanctum
a power house of positive energy.
Sanctity of the dress codes inside the temples
When the doors of the sanctum is opened after for the aarti
for the darsan and benefit of the devotees the energy accumulated will overflow
towards the devotees who stand in two rows on either side of the entrance to
the sanctum. This energy is partly absorbed by the devotees. The holy water prepared
by the priest by chanting mantras and adding camphor, flowers etc also is an energy
material which when sprinkled on the devotees they are further charged with the
positive energy. It is for these reasons that the code of the dress for males
not to wear cloths above waist is prescribed. For the ladies though they wear
dress on upper part of the body, the gold or silver (metal) ornaments are
helpers to absorb the energy. Without understanding all these we talk loosely
about the customs of the temples. From these observations we can safely come to
the conclusion that these temples are not mere places of worship but are like the
battery chargers of the human body and mind energies. In addition to the above
points, if the devotees follow the procedures of going around the outer, middle
and inner layers of prakarams and the clockwise walking round the shrines in
the complex and the whole complex itself is it not a vigorous physical
activity. If these procedures are observed is there any necessity of going o
some park or deserted roads to do the jogging? Of course for this one has to
take bath early and keep the body and mind clean to get the maximum benefit.
Is it that everything about the temples are
correct or to be observed? 
Let us have a look at some of them
The practice of non Hindus not to be allowed inside the
temples is not as per the Hindu Philosophy. It is added by those who for vested
interests (the neo religious leaders) made several regulations like this to
continue their hold on the administrations of the temples. Their contention
that the temple will become impure by their presence is absurd. The
gods/goddesses treat every living thing with equal interest. There is no word
to the effect of non – Hindus anywhere in the literature of the Hindu Philosophy. What is meant by purity? By purity it is meant
that the body, mind (thoughts), words uttered, food and the work (karma) should
be kept pious. What is there in non Hindus which make them impure and what is
there in us which make us pure if we are not pious? There are the codes to be
followed for worshiping in the temples and people should only see that these
codes are not violated. I will give an example. Yesudas wanted to go inside the
Guruvayur Sri Krishna temple to offer worship. He is denied the opportunity for
the same because he is born in a Christian family. Music or for that matter any
art is considered as nearest to god. When he is nearer to god perhaps even more
than some of the poojaris of the temple who can go inside the sanctum what is
the harm of his going up to the sanctum like others? How many of us who are
borne in Hindu families observe the Hindu rituals properly except empty talking
about Hindu Philosophy? But Guruvayurappan
enjoys the music of Yesudas in his premises. Is it not an irony that this is
practiced at the temple dedicated to the first and foremost Jagadguru
(universal teacher of life principles) through his Geethas Bhagavad and uddhav)?
Yesudas at least is allowed in
Mookambika which is also an ancient temple following the Kerala worship
traditions and is closely connected with the Aadi Sankaracharya. Sabarimali
where people go with the observation of purity to the greatest extent allow any
human being irrespective religion, cast, creed or any other such compound walls
created by selfish human beings. All such people going to the Sannidhanam are
on equal footing to that of the Lord himself who welcomes the devotees with the
reminder ‘Tha Thwam Asi’ (thathwamasi) meaning that ‘you are that’.
There are some rituals followed in the temples especially in
Kerala like the usage of elephants in the utsavaas. There is no scripture
mentioning the requirements of elephants in these for these utsavaas to be
useful or successful. Which god will be happy to see these poor animals being
tortured in the name of utsavaas by making them to stand and walk in the scorching
sun and heat without being able to eat or drink properly? They may not be able
to see even properly due the large caparison used on their face. Is it not a
procedure to displease the god in the name of pleasing the devotees (to exploit
them for money) for generous contributions?
Similar is the case of the use of crackers which contribute
to a very high level of sound and other pollution of the atmosphere.
What is the sanctity of ballet, mimicry or break dance in
the functions of the temple festivals?
It is high time that we get rid of the unscientific rituals which
have no logic or intelligence. We should
also shun those who are against the temple and worship. Such people should not
be associated with any matter related to religions.
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