7

Why is that black color clothes are avoided or not allowed to wear in some temples?

They are also avoided when Hindus celebrate festivals like Diwali, Navratri etc, generally on auspicious days

I know that our temples don't allow belts, wallets etc when they are made of animal skin but whats wrong in wearing black clothes or having black colored objects with us?

Improve this question
8
  • 4
    I have seen in some temples where only black colored clothes are allowed like Ayyaappa swami and Lord Shani temples.
    – Mr_Green
    Jun 21, 2014 at 11:39
  • 1
    @Mr_Green Yes, I've seen tamils wearing but I'm Vaishnav and we don't wear black clothes on auspicious days
    – Mr. Alien
    Jun 21, 2014 at 15:20
  • @all I don't think so, We are north Indian, I have never heard about this.
    – Trikaldarshiii
    Sep 22, 2014 at 8:39
  • Black color indicates only ignorance and it is not inauspicious at all. This is a wrong belief borrowed and does not belong to Hindu philosophy. We bring in black color to ward off evil - make a small black bindi on the face also. Add one black color bangle during auspicious ceremony etc. - Malathi
    – Malathi
    Oct 18, 2015 at 14:20
  • 1
    @AnuragSingh Some astrologival scriptures advice us to wear specific clothes to please deities of respective planets. I am not sure what exactly they are. I heard it in a talk by a scholar.
    – Sarvabhouma
    Jun 10, 2017 at 16:15

2 Answers 2

Reset to default
6

Black is the symbol of unhappiness. That's why, we don't wear it in temples. Although, some murtis in temples are normally black, like that of Shiva. This is because Gods and Goddesses are free from happiness and unhappiness.

Above all, its just a symbol. (You can think of it as another superstition...)

In Hinduism, we have a lot of colors symbolizing things. Below are a few others:

  • Red indicates both sensuality and purity.
  • Saffron indicates sacred and holy things.
  • Green indicates festive season and happiness.
  • Yellow indicates knowledge and learning.
  • White is a mixture of seven different colors hence it symbolizes a little bit of the quality of each.
  • Blue is a symbol of nature; the sky, the oceans, the rivers and the lakes.
Improve this answer
3
  • A point I missed about Lord Shani is (rightly) added by a commenter and another answerer. Yes, black coloured is favoured by Lord Shani. It is also favoured by the Lord of Mountains.
    – user3459110
    Jun 21, 2014 at 11:47
  • What is this- White is mixture of all colors, so it represents all. Saffron is mixture of Red and yellow, so does saffron mean- Sensuality and knowledge?
    – user9392
    Jun 8, 2017 at 22:08
  • 1
    "Black is the symbol of unhappiness" so it is tradition and not religious by nature?
    – Wikash_
    Sep 22, 2019 at 8:41
7

Black is considered bad and evil. It is avoided in anything cultural, not just visiting temples.

However note that black is not completely avoided, people visiting Sabarimala temple actually wear black colour. It is favourite colour of Shani and people wear it to please him.

Improve this answer

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .