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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Why are women advised to tie their hair in temples?
Once when I visited a Durga temple, a man who was giving out flowers to all devotees told me to tie my hair and not leave it open in the temple. I genuinely want to know the reason.
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What scriptures describe Shiva whispering Rama's name to those who die in Kashi?
The Rama Bhujanga Stotra is a hymn to Rama composed by the Advaita philosopher Adi Shankaracharya. Here is what he says in verse 3 of the hymn:
yadāvarṇayatkarṇamūle'ntakāle
śivo rāma rāmeti ...
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What is the significance of Lord Ganesh & Lord Hanuman's statue in Shiv Temple?
When we enter into Shiva temple, we can see that Lord Ganesh and Lord Hanuman's statue before the Shiva Lingam.
What is the significance of these two statues in Shiva Temple?
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Why each day of the week is dedicated to a particular god?
As the title explains, why do we have specific days to worship specific gods? For example
Sunday - Lord Surya
Monday - Lord Shiva
Tuesday - Lord Ganesha
Wednesday - Lord Vithal
Thursday - Sai Baba, ...
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Legend behind origin of Vayu Lingam in Srikalahasti and its meaning
There are many legends behind Srikalahasti temple, which is one of the Panchaboota Kshetras. But none of these legends explain origin of Vayu Lingam which is believed to be "Swayambhu" (self-...
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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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Why is Sri Krishna idol turned towards a window in Udupi temple?
In most of the Hindu temples, the main deity faces towards east. The devotees seeking darshan have darshan directly from the front. But this is not followed in Udupi Krishna matha, Karnataka. This ...
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Are there any temples for Mohini avatar?
We see many temples of Lord Vishnu, Rama, Krishna, Narasimha. Also temples for Varaha, Kurma, Hayagriva etc.. Are there any temples for Mohini avatar? Also, which avatars don't have temples and why?
user16895
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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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What is the story behind the famous Shiva linga of Amarnath, India?
is considered to be one of the holiest shrines in Hinduism.
The cave is surrounded by snowy mountains.
Hundreds of thousands of Hindu devotees make an annual pilgrimage to the Amarnath cave on ...
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Where can i find scriptural references for vaahan puja?
It is a custom to take the newly purchased car to a nearby temple, where the pujari consecrates it. It typically involves tying a lemon somewhere on the hood, breaking a coconut in front of car etc. ...
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What is the story of Indra being turned into an elephant by Saraswati?
I'm currently visiting India, and I just went to the Varadaraja Perumal Vishnu temple in Kanchipuram. It's such an important temple that Sri Vaishnavas refer to it simply as "Perumal Koil" or "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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Why is the family deity of Venkateshwara the Sami tree?
As I discuss in this question, the book "Venkatachala - Its Glory" is a translation of the Sthala Purana (temple scripture) of the famous Tirupati temple, and this temple scripture consists of ...
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Are there any temples exclusively for women?
I have listen that, there are some specific god's and temples where women are not allowed to go and touch the idols. And men only can worship them, or go to their temple or touch them like Shani Dev ...
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Why is aarti performed to deities in temples?
In all temples Aarti i.e a lamp with camphor or ghee is lit and is shown in circular motion in front of the deities. Is this just a ritual for revering Agni or does it have a deeper significance?
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Which is the largest Hindu temple in the world?
Which is the largest Hindu temple (in terms of area) in the world?
Some say it is Angkor Wat in Cambodia. Although, others say it is a Buddhist temple.
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Why are the deity and devotee called by the same name 'Swami Ayyappa' in Sabarimala?
Sabarimala temple is a famous temple in South India which is located in the state of Kerala. See the website1. Many people visit the temple every year during the pilgrim season. Swami Ayyappa is the ...
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What do the sculptures on hindu temples represent?
No offence, What do the sculptures of khajuraho and konark temples represent as they are too erotic(hope you understand,refer those pics once if not, westernized)?
Not just sculptures of khajuraho and ...
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Why restriction on taking images and publishing 'some' mantras
Why people are not allowed to take images of god/goddesses in Garbha gudi (sanctum sanctorum) of a temple. Is it a sin according to scriptures? or any other reason behind such restriction?
In addition ...
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What are the benefits of undertaking a pilgrimage to Pushkar Tirtha?
The Pushkar Tirtha{pilgrimage place}, is a very holy place in India{located in the state of Rajasthan}.
It is believed that taking a bath at Pushkar Tirtha,destroys the sins of the devotees{...
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What is the story of Kasi Vishwanatha Jyotirlinga?
Lord Shiva has been worshipped in Linga form from time beginning as described in answer here. Among the Lingas there are 12 Jyotirlingas which are of special importance.
Mahatmya of 12 Jyotirlingas is ...
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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 mentions Vasishth praying to Tantrik Goddess Tara?
The Tarapith Temple in West Bengal Goddess Tara, one of the Dash-Mahavidyashas, and has an interesting legend associated with it:
Another oral legend about the temple states that sage Vashishtha ...
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Which goddess (Ishta devi/Kula devi) sits legs folded & holding shiva linga?
Goddess sitting and holding shivling on one hand. And sitting folding both legs.Please help me find this goddess and details about the temple I'll find her if possible.
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What is the significance of 'teertham' offered to devotees?
In temples, Devotees often receive 'teertham' which comes in various forms.
Sometimes it is just plain water mixed with camphor or at times it is something as rich as 'pachamrut'.
What does it signify?...
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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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Worship of combined deities of "Krishna, Balarama, and Subhadra" as in Jagannath Puri?
Where else other than Jagannath Puri, is the worship of combined deities of "Krishna, Balarama, and Subhadra" done? i.e., any other temples such as the Puri Jagannath temple?
From the official ...
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Why oil is offered to Lord Hanuman on Saturday?
If you visit Hanuman temple especially on Saturdays, we see a number of devotees offer oil (especially gingili oil).
Why oil is offered to Lord Hanuman
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Why does Periyalwar say that Krishna was born in Thirukottiyur rather than Mathura?
The Alwars (also spelled Azhwars) are a group of 12 ancient Vaishnava saints who lived in Tamil Nadu and are famous for their devotional poetry in praise of Vishnu. The collection of their 4000 poems, ...
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Is it acceptable to sleep in same room as Murti (Idol)?
Naively speaking one might expect that it would be acceptable to sleep/ live in same place as a Murti of some God or Goddess, as can occasionally be seen in some temples. For example, the question ...
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What is the story behind the legendary temple of the virgin Goddess, Kanya Kumari?
As the question title says I would like to read references from some authentic resources (scriptures, if possible) about the story behind the legendary temple of the virgin Goddess, Kanya Kumari, like ...
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What is the story of Haridwar?
I want to know the details story of ritual place Haridwar and "Har ki pauri".
There are many famous places in Haridwar.So I would like to know the story behind Haridwar pilgrimage place.
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Who is the sage Pundarika who saw Vishnu coming out of a Shiva Linga?
I'm currently visiting India, and I just passed by a Vishnu temple in the town of Thiruparkadal in Tamil Nadu. Thiruparkadal is Tamil for "ocean of milk" (Kshirsagara in Sanskrit), referring to the ...
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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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Which is oldest known sacred place of Hindus?
Which is oldest known sacred place of Hindus?
I have found several temples & sacred places of the Hindu religion to be told as many thousand years old. Which of them is oldest known such temple ...
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Why are the black colored clothes avoided when visiting temple?
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 ...
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Why Saibaba is worshipped as a deity in Hindu temples? [duplicate]
Why Saibaba is worshipped as a deity in Hindu temples? Does Hinduism allow saint or sages to be worshipped too? If yes then why other Hindu saints are not worshipped?
I have seen people performing ...
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What is Chidambara Rahasyam?
It is believed that the one who understands chidambara rahasyam attains jnanam and gets enlightened.
There are many books and TV serials on this topic.
It is related to Sri naTarAja swami temple in ...
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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 story of Rameshwaram Jyotirlinga?
Lord Shiva has been worshipped in Linga form from time beginning as described in answer here. Among the Lingas there are 12 Jyotirlingas which are of special importance.
Mahatmya of 12 Jyotirlingas is ...
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What is the story of Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga?
Lord Shiva has been worshipped in Linga form from time beginning as described in answer here. Among the Lingas there are 12 Jyotirlingas which are of special importance.
Mahatmya of 12 Jyotirlingas is ...
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Etymological meaning of "mandir"
Wikipedia here states that mandir is a sanskrit word.
What is the etymological meaning of mandir?
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Why do people offer mustard oil to Lord Shani?
It is often seen that people offer mustard oil to Lord Shani, mostly on Saturdays and Tuesdays.
So, what is the significance behind pouring mustard oil over Lord Shani's Idol?
Image credits : blog....
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What is the story of Kedarnath Jyotirlinga?
Lord Shiva has been worshipped in Linga form from time beginning as described in answer here. Among the Lingas there are 12 Jyotirlingas which are of special importance.
Mahatmya of 12 Jyotirlingas is ...
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Why do people close their eyes in temple during darshan?
In Hinduism, People visits temples for God's darshan. One of the meaning of darshan is to see using your eyes. So in this case Why people close their eyes when they actually visit temple for their God'...
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Why are black rats treated as sacred at the Karni Mata temple?
I saw an episode about the Karni Mata temple in a TV Show - Mano Ya Na Mano ("Believe it or not").
They showed black rats and said that people treat them as sacred, and that people also drink the ...
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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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Who is the Kshetrapala god who lives on the Pariyatra mountains?
Most people only know about Chanakya's Artha Shastra, a work about Hindu statecraft. What is not as well-known is that it's based on an older work on statecraft called the Brihaspati Sutras, composed ...
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What is result of God's Darshan?
Most of the people goes to temple or Ashram to take a darshan of a god or a spiritual enlightened person(guru) respectively.
I know Darshan is different from "To See" or "To meet" from the answer of ...
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