What happens in a visit to the (Hindu) Mandir?
January 03, 2013Research project; need help with what a typical visit to a Mandir would consist of, like the rituals and practices that go on in a given day,
(long answers would be preferred) Thanks 
(from a Western side of the world, specifically Canada)
The visit to a Hindu Mandir is a rare treat for all five senses.
While one experiences the external and the physical the focus is internal and spiritual.
Two of the most important aspects of visiting a mandir (which are at the center of connection building with God) are:
1. Taking a ‘Darshan’: Hard to translate but perhaps witnessing God’s presence in and around oneself while making a connection with the Murti (Diety: God who has been to be present in the ‘idol’). Also, presenting to God in one’s most humblest.
2. Taking an ‘Arati’: Taking God’s blessings, literally with hands, given by the priest in the form of a flame lit by a lamp to one’s forhead, eyes and top of head.
The link below is for a Free Download of a book called
‘What is Hinduism’ by a Hindu Monestary in Hawaii.
It will bring up the matter as stated under the link.
In ‘Section 3: How Hindus Worship’
go to ‘Chapter 25: Visiting A Hindu Temple’
and you will find what you are looking for and more.
Just to add:
Hindu religion is vast and in general in its most pristine state in South India, as North India has long been plundered by various invaders: Islam, British Colonialism and Christianity and many others. So temples, religiosity, rituals are similarly affected in North India. What is still the same is the spirituality in the general people in spite of it all.
Most temples outside India do not put too much emphasis on a lot of do’s and don’ts, except a general sense of reverence, a learning attitude and a meditative demeanor.
In India things can be a little strict, as the traditions are much established but the temple atmosphere is an experience of a lifetime with spirituality pouring down every speck of dust and humanity soaking every bit of it.
Actually most experiences are hard to describe, they just need to lived.
***************************************************************************
1. What is Hinduism: PDF Download http://www.hinduismtoday.com/modules/wfdownloads/viewcat.php?cid=2
A rare inside look at the world’s most venerable and vibrant religion, revealed in forty-six illustrated journeys into an intriguing realm of temples, Deities, yoga, philosophy, gurus, tolerance and family life. Choose from a section listed below to view the chapters in the printed book.
Items In This Category
Introduction and Table of Contents (1)
Section 1 The Nature of Hinduism (14)
Section 2 Hindu Metaphysics (7)
Section 3 How Hindus Worship (7)
Section 4 Spiritual Practices (7)
Section 5 Family Life And Culture (6)
Section 6 Hindu Ethics (5)
2. Educational Insight: From an American http://www.hinduismtoday.com/modules/smartsection/item.php?itemid=3095
Approaching God: Elements of Worship & From Shrine to Temple
Excerpts from Stephen P. Huyler’s Classic Work: Meeting God, Elements of Hindu Devotion
Published by yale university press www.yalebooks.com
January 3rd, 2013 at 12:14 pm
no clue
References :
January 3rd, 2013 at 12:26 pm
all your desires are fulfilled only if you go with dedication
References :
January 3rd, 2013 at 12:32 pm
Briefly in India,
First you remove your shoes outside temple and wash your leg with tap water or pond water.
Pray to Elephant God first and do 3 situps with holding your ears(cross handed) and knock your knuckle on your skeleton (mildly).
Pray to other Deities outside and finally visit the Main Deity inside the temple.
Prayers are done by offering coconut, banana, betelnut leaves, incense sticks and camphor.
Priest collects all the items from you and ask for your birth star, name etc to perform the prayer in your name. It is usually done in Sanskrit.
He lights the camphor and people waiting outside pray with devotion and get half of coconut, banana back as their blessings from God. Little monetary offering will be dropped in priest plate (most of them make their living with that money).
They will also get holy ash or bindi from the priest, which is usually applied to forehead.
Some people just get on the floor flat to show their will to surrender to God.
Then they go around the temple 3 times and sit in a quiet place for few minutes. Some groups sing songs with music during special occasion. Later exit out of the temple, give alms to beggars, wear their shoes and get back to their chores.
This may be very different in western part of the world.
In Western part,
Leave your shoes outside, Pray to Elephant God, Pray to main Deity, Priest formalities will be same, he takes the offerings and do prayers in Sanskrit. Ghee (clarified butter) wicks are used instead of camphor. Remaining things are same.
All temples do 3 rituals in a day, Morning, Afternoon and Night serviing Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner for the Deities. Palmful of food is kept before the idol either in banana leaf or silver plate and water is sprinkled around the leaf (I think this is for keeping the ants and other insects out). During that ritual no one is allowed to see idol and there will be a screen to cover it up. Remaining food from the container is sold for reasonable price.
All deities are given a quick shower in the morning with water, some might sponsor a grand shower for the main deity which include water, milk, yogurt, honey, fruit salad, oil, aromatic powder, saffron or turmeric or sandal etc. The deity will be covered after this for a dress change and later shown to public.
Weekends there might be songs or bhajans or mantra recital
followed by prayer and short discourses from ancient texts. Small feast to fulfill devotees hunger will be served at the end.
References :
January 3rd, 2013 at 12:58 pm
The visit to a Hindu Mandir is a rare treat for all five senses.
While one experiences the external and the physical the focus is internal and spiritual.
Two of the most important aspects of visiting a mandir (which are at the center of connection building with God) are:
1. Taking a ‘Darshan’: Hard to translate but perhaps witnessing God’s presence in and around oneself while making a connection with the Murti (Diety: God who has been to be present in the ‘idol’). Also, presenting to God in one’s most humblest.
2. Taking an ‘Arati’: Taking God’s blessings, literally with hands, given by the priest in the form of a flame lit by a lamp to one’s forhead, eyes and top of head.
The link below is for a Free Download of a book called
‘What is Hinduism’ by a Hindu Monestary in Hawaii.
It will bring up the matter as stated under the link.
In ‘Section 3: How Hindus Worship’
go to ‘Chapter 25: Visiting A Hindu Temple’
and you will find what you are looking for and more.
Just to add:
Hindu religion is vast and in general in its most pristine state in South India, as North India has long been plundered by various invaders: Islam, British Colonialism and Christianity and many others. So temples, religiosity, rituals are similarly affected in North India. What is still the same is the spirituality in the general people in spite of it all.
Most temples outside India do not put too much emphasis on a lot of do’s and don’ts, except a general sense of reverence, a learning attitude and a meditative demeanor.
In India things can be a little strict, as the traditions are much established but the temple atmosphere is an experience of a lifetime with spirituality pouring down every speck of dust and humanity soaking every bit of it.
Actually most experiences are hard to describe, they just need to lived.
***************************************************************************
1. What is Hinduism: PDF Download http://www.hinduismtoday.com/modules/wfdownloads/viewcat.php?cid=2
A rare inside look at the world’s most venerable and vibrant religion, revealed in forty-six illustrated journeys into an intriguing realm of temples, Deities, yoga, philosophy, gurus, tolerance and family life. Choose from a section listed below to view the chapters in the printed book.
Items In This Category
Introduction and Table of Contents (1)
Section 1 The Nature of Hinduism (14)
Section 2 Hindu Metaphysics (7)
Section 3 How Hindus Worship (7)
Section 4 Spiritual Practices (7)
Section 5 Family Life And Culture (6)
Section 6 Hindu Ethics (5)
2. Educational Insight: From an American http://www.hinduismtoday.com/modules/smartsection/item.php?itemid=3095
Approaching God: Elements of Worship & From Shrine to Temple
Excerpts from Stephen P. Huyler’s Classic Work: Meeting God, Elements of Hindu Devotion
Published by yale university press http://www.yalebooks.com
References :
Welcome to Hinduism:
It is all about human quest to reach God within.
1. The most authoritative Hindu resource on Hinduism in the West: http://www.HinduismToday.com
2. Encyclopedia on Hindu Civilization:
http://www.HinduWisdom.info/quotes101_120.htm