Questions tagged [temple]
A temple is a place and structure reserved for religious or spiritual activities, such as prayer, worship and sacrifice, or analogous rites.
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What was the traditional justification for why Chandalas were not allowed in temples?
Traditionally, Chandalas and I believe even Sudras were not allowed in temples.
What was the justification for this and is it based on scriptures?
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Are there 2 pindi's in vaishno devi for darshan?
I noticed that there are 2 queues for darshan at bhavan, but after entering the cave in one queue I did not see the other queue anywhere till exit. But my friends who were in the other queue also had ...
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Why does my Hindu Temple ring its bell so loud for so long?
I stay next to a Hindu temple dedicated to goddess Kali. On its rooftop, there is a gigantic bell. The bell is rang every morning at 8am, at noon time and around 6pm. Each session lasting a good 12 ...
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Are these claims about Puri Jagannath Temple really true?
Now I am interested to visit Lord Jagannath temple in Puri after reading
following facts about it (source). Are these claims true?
The flag always flaps in a direction opposite to the ...
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Why should temples be closed during an eclipse?
Any reference in the Hindu scriptures (Vedas, Agamas, shastras, etc.) on why temples should remain closed during an eclipse (grahana)?
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Bhasma-Aarti at Mahakaleshwar temple Ujjain
I Have been visiting Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga for a couple of times this year.
Every time I visit there, it is a must for me to witness the awesome bhasma-aarti being offered to lord shiva i.e., ...
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Why Priest give flowers and again take them back with money?
First Priest give flowers to devotee. After Puja is over and priest collect Flowers with money from devotee. Why so?
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Why to ring bell while entering temples? [duplicate]
When I entered a temple, I saw people ringing the bell, and also Hindus keep small bells in their houses, which they ring during worship. What is reason behind it, and also notice about "dhup" ?
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Which of the Divyadesam Sthala are presided by Vishnu's Varaha AvatAram?
Divya Desam are the group of Vishnu sthalam that are revered by Azhwargal in their spontaneous divine poetry - the Naalayira Divya Prabhandam. This collection of poetry was collated by Nathamuni, an ...
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Why two Rakshasa idols are kept near the main idol of Govindaraja Temple, Tirupati?
I was listening to Chaganti Koteswara Rao's speeches about the Govindaraja Temple, Tirupati. He said that there 2 Rakshasas are kept near main idol.
Why 2 Rakshasas are kept near the main idol of ...
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Did Sri Rama visit Hatya Haran teertha (Prabhaskar Teertha) to purify himself?
Did Sri Rama visit Hatya Haran teertha (Prabhaskar Teertha) to purify himself of the sin of Brahma Hatya due to killing of Raavana?
The Sthala Purana of Hatyaharan Teertha as it is popularly known in ...
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Is the Vamana deity in Thirukoilur considered an incarnation of Krishna?
I'm currently visiting India, and I just went to the Ulagalantha Perumal Vamana temple in Thirukoilur. It's most famous for being the "Naalayira Divya Prabandha Avatara Sthalam", meaning the ...
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What is the story of the Thiruvalavendhai Varaha temple in Mahabalipuram?
I'm currently visiting India, and I may try to see the Adi Varaha Perumal temple in Mahabalipuram, more commonly known as the Thiruvalavendhai temple. It's a difficult temple to visit; it's closed ...
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is temple in dwarka still visible [duplicate]
People say that there once existed a "Dwarka Nagri" that Sri Krishna had made
Is temple in Dwarka still visible?
Are any remains visible under water?
What is the proof that there once existed a ...
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Are pregnant women allowed to go to temples?
Is it allowed for pregnant women to go to temples?
If it's not allowed, what are the restrictions?
And are those restrictions based on scriptures or are they just traditions that have been followed ...
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Which scripture explains Fire Walking practice in temples?
There is practice of walking in fire in temples by devotees. I have a few questions about that:
Which scripture explains Fire Walking (Themithi) practice in temples?
Why specifically wood is used and ...
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Srivaishnava scriptures/acharyas mentioning Pandharpur
Pandharpur is one of the sacred place for Vaishnavas.
Is there any Srivaishnava work or some Srivaishnava acharya's injunctions revering Pandharpur as sacred place.
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What is the meaning behind Shiva with 26 heads and 52 hands?
I was wondering what the meaning is behind Shiva's 26 heads and 52 hands in a temple in Tamil Nadu? I have never seen him in this form before.
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Navagrahas with their consorts
In most of the temples of Karnataka, the Navagrahas are present with their consorts. In contrast at other places in India, only the Navagraha are there - without their consorts. Why is there such a ...
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How was Srirangam Ranganathaswamy temple wall constructed?
The task was assigned to Thurumangai alwar who was then a king turned to thief. He constructed the temple wall by acquiring a gold Buddha idol from srilanka.
Anyone knows the story how he brought ...
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What are some of major Shiva temples in Karnataka?
I'm planning for a trip to visit major Shiva temples in Karnataka. I have done some research and there are close to 54 prominent ones. Which are the ones which holds much importance in Puranas or ...
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What is the need of temple in Hinduism? [duplicate]
Generally all Hindus Visit temple for to perform prayers. But according to Hindu ideology why we need temple as we can perform prayers at our home as well?
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Temple rules and regulations [duplicate]
This is my common observation. In all the temples one finds a notice
Photography inside temple is not allowed.
In other words, photography of the temple or deity is prohibited. I fail to ...
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What is story of Ati Varadar Swamy?
The main deity (moolavar) of Ati Vardar Swamy of Swamy Varadaraja Perumal is immersed in nearby pushkarini . It is taken out for public worship every 40 years, next time this is going to happen in ...
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What actually is the Daru Brahma In the idol of Lord Jagannath?
I have heard that the heart of Lord Krishna which was unburnt is kept inside the idol of Lord Jagannath in Puri. Is it True???? Probably the heart is termed as 'Daru Brahma'. Does anyone know the true ...
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Is there temple worship in the Vedas?
Do Vedas talk of temples? Were there any temples in the Vedic era?
If yes what are some of the references?
If no then is temple worship a post Vedic concept?
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How many Lord Indra temples are there in India?
Are there any temples in India which are exclusively dedicated to Lord Indra?
If yes, then where are those temples located?
If no, what are the reasons for Lord Indra not having temples dedicated ...
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Why does Lord Jagannath suffer from fever?
It is believed that Jagannath suffers from a high fever after the Snana-Yatra. During this time, devotees are prevented from seeing Him. After taking special care, the deities gets cured and the ...
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What is the importance of Dhwajasthamba in any of the temples that we go?
It is said to be the respect that the King Mayura Dhwaja has earned by donating his complete left half of his body to Lord Sri Krishna in one of his leelas?
Is that the reason why we need to pray to ...
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Why are nava grahas in a temple placed such? [duplicate]
When we visit a navagraha mandapa(where the nine planets are placed) in a temple, we observe a distinct placement of the planets. No planet faces other planet. But in reality, a planet faces other ...
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Origin of Srisailam Hills
Srisailam is a Holy place known which is called kshetra, amongst other things, for hosting Sri Mallikarjuna Jyotirlingam and Goddess Bhramaramba Devi, one of the eighteen Mahashakthi peethas.
The ...
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Mystery of Ancient Hindu Temples?
Our Ancients built Hindu Temples in a Straight line (From Kedarnath to Rameswaram - all are Lord Shiva temples), at that time without having proper Maps and Satellite's how can they built in straight ...
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What is the oldest hindu temple? [duplicate]
which temple among the Vaishnava/Shiva shrines are the oldest?
Thanks.
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What scriptures describe night being caused by mount Meru?
Lalla's Shishyavriddhida Tantra is a Hindu astronomical work dating to the 8th century. In this chapter of the Shishyavriddhida Tantra, Lalla attempts to refute various astronomical theories he ...
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Were there any temples in Satya yuga?
Is there any reference of temple of lord in the time of Satya Yuga?
Around that time people used to worship which God/Goddess?
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What are the "Daśa bhāskara kṣetrās"?
Srisailam is one of the most ancient kshetras in our country. There are legends associated with this sacred place. Srisailam is one of only three kshetras which is a jyotirlinga Kshetra and also a ...
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Why animals other than Goat, Chicken and pigs are not given as animal sacrfice?
Goats, roosters and pigs are given as sacrifice to gods.
There are also many other animals and birds living but they are not Sacrificed.
QUESTION :
Why certain animals like Goat, roosters, pigs are ...
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What do the Snake Idols in Binded form Indicate?
In many Hindu Temples we can see Snake Idol which has two Snakes, bound to each other like a DNA.
QUESTION :
What does this form of two snakes indicate and why do we worship it ?
Below is a picture ...
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Why is Gangotri so far from mount Kailash?
As I discuss in this question, Vishnu's incarnation sage Kapila burnt the sons of the Rama's ancestor Sagara to ashes. And at the time there was no sacred body of water in the area to put the ashes ...
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What technique they used earlier to make idols stand for centuries
We all know there are lot of Hinduism temples where idols are standing from many centuries best example is Lord Venktaeshwara in Tirumala, Tirupati.
This idol is standing from many centuries it ...
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Pandharpur Mahatmya, Importance of Pandharpur
Vitthala means the one who stands on veeta(Brick), is an avatar of Shriman Naryana aka Panduranga(whose colour is like that of mud pandu).
Vitthala is worshipped by Vaishnavas all over the world and ...
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Is it allowed to preserve a body in a temple's premises?
Ramanujacharya's body is preserved in Sri Rangam temple by mummification. Is it allowed as per agama or other shastra to bury/preserve a body inside a temple premises?
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If giving Dana to anyone is adharma then why temples give AnnaDana to anyone?
EXPLANATION :
Scriptures oppose giving Dana to those who that does not deserves it.
In temples AnnaDana is given to Anyone who comes to the temple.
In my personal experience i had seen many people ...
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How to position nandi statue in Hanuman temple? [closed]
In a Hanuman temple near our house there is a nandi statue. Temple is very old . Nandi statue is now coming near the road. I want that it should be placed some where away from road. Hanuman temple is ...
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Who is Tripura Sundari? [duplicate]
I am from Tripura.Our (unofficial) state goddess is Tripura Sundari devi.
Due to the similarity in appearance, people of our state think that she is an another form of Kali.
But Wikipedia says that ...
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Why is money offered to God as ₹101, 1001 etc. and not ₹ 100, 1000 etc? [duplicate]
I have noticed that after performing rituals, Hindus give dakshina (or fees) to the pandit (priest) in the form of ₹ 101, 151, 501 or ₹ 1001 and not ₹ 100, 150, 500 or simply any round figure. Even ...
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What do scriptures say about Irāvān (son of Arjuna) who married Mohini avatar?
In common folk manner it is told that a Warrior named Irāvān or Aravan (Reference from Wikipedia is because it is at folk manner) who was a great warrior and son of arjuna.
It is told that he was ...
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How to worship a Bilva tree
Bilva tree is situated in a Devi temple complex.
How to worship the Bilva tree.
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What should a Hindu son do after the death of his father? [duplicate]
I am the youngest son of 3 brothers and my father passed away yesterday. I went to the temple yesterday to seek the help of a pandit for funeral and cremation, when at the temple he mentioned that I ...
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Do piśācas' (ghosts) exist in temples or in our homes?
I was once said by an elderly man that we should not touch the backside of a temple while doing pradakshina because ghosts and rakshasas live there and touching that part will wake them. Supporting ...
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