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 is it said not to eat before worshiping God?
Even for worshipping god everyday in the morning, it is said to have breakfast only after worshipping god. Or it can be said in other way that if one worships god, he or she has to complete pooja ...
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Are non-Hindus allowed inside Tirumala Veṅkaṭēśwara Temple? Do they need to sign a waiver?
Are non-Hindus allowed inside Tirumala Veṅkaṭēśwara Temple?
I heard that for a non-Hindu to enter the temple, they need to sign a waiver. Is this true? Also, is it a recent development or restriction?
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In most of the TV serials, it's shown that Lord Vishnu or Krishna apply Urdhva Pundrak and Lord Shiva applies tripundra. Is there a scriptural basis?
Kindly provide with any scriptural basis for the answer. Thank you.
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Can anyone explain about lord Ayyappa irumudi kattu?
Devotees visiting the Sabarimala Temple carry with a specially designed bag with two compartments called Irumudi Kattu. I need to know more about that which is followed for many years.
Can any one ...
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Why are Tirupati temple priests restricted from traveling overseas?
From this news article:
When Pandit Venkatacharilu Samudrala first headed West 32 years ago, he wasn't steered by visions of the good life. In fact, Samudrala strongly resisted joining the newly ...
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Upper shape of Temples
Why all Temples, Mosques, Churches, Gurudwaras, etc have a structure such that the main area on the ground is broad and on top it is pointed something like '/\'. This upper part varies a bit in shape ...
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Does this sculpture of Lord Shiva really exist somewhere?
Does this sculpture of Lord Shiva really exist somewhere? Or is this only a painting. I found it online many weeks ago and have been awe-struck by its sheer beauty. I would like to visit the place ...
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What restrictions should we follow when visiting temples?
What are all the niyama (restrictions) before, during and after visiting temples ? Regarding cleanliness, dress, prostration, pradakshan etc.
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What is the story of Omkareshwar 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 is the top of a temple pointed? [duplicate]
Many temples have a pointed top. Other structures have a decreasing diameter as the height increases (near the top).
Is there any significance behind this?
For those interested, this question ...
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Curse on Tanjore big temple
Is there any curse on Tanjore big temple by sage karuvuraar and that's the reason politicians doesn't enter the temple through main entrance?
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Is Makara Jyothi on Makara Sankranthi in Shabarimala real?
Shabarimala is popular Hindu pilgrimage in South India. Here on Makara Sankranthi, a jyothi (light) appears at the top of hill. A lot of people go there to see that jyothi.
Is that jyothi a man-made ...
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Why is there a Bheem temple in Gorakhnath Mandir ,Gorakhpur?
There is a temple of Bheem also known as Bhimsena or Mahabali Bhim in the premises of Gorakhnath math in Gorakhpur. What is the importance of this temple? Give references from scriptures to validate ...
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What is the history of this Kali form of Lord Shyama-sundara?
Ths Shyama-sundara mandir of Khardaha, West Bengal was establised by Sri Virabhadra, the son of Sri Nityananda Mahaprabhu.The beautiful idol is believed to be carved out of a black basalt on which Sri ...
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Why is the idol of a lizard kept in front of the Divine Mother at Dakshineswar?
As the enclosed image shows, there is an idol of a golden lizard (svarna-godhika) to the left of Mother Bhavatarini at Dakshineswar.
What is the scriptural reason of this idol of lizard?
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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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History behind the Kamakhya Temple?
Do you know history behind the Kamakhya Temple located in Guwahati Assam, why it is called the Famous Shakti Peeth ?
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What scriptures describe the story of Vishnu's "subservience" to Lakshmi in the Nachiyar Koil temple?
In most Vishnu temples, the statue of Vishnu is in the center of the shrine, with his wife Lakshmi (and sometimes his wife Bhumidevi) at his side. But I recently went to a famous Vishnu temple near ...
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Attaining the 107th Divya Desam
The 107th Divya Desam - Kshira Sagara( Thriuppaarkadal having deities - Kadal Magal sametha Parkadal Natha Perumal.
This Divya Desam is not located on Earth, but in the higher realms. But it is ...
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What to do with lemon given at Durga temples?
Few temples in south India offer lemons to the Village goddess (a form of Durga/kaali) while worshipping.
When I went to a temple yesterday, they are giving lemons each to all the devotees.
What is ...
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Is there only single 'Gnana Saraswathi temple' In India?
When I search online, I can find only a single temple for Ganana Saraswathi in India. The temple is located in Basar, Telangana.
The legend of the temple is mentioned on the temple website
Legend ...
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What is the procedure to carry out temple renovations or relocation?
I read that a lot of temples have been demolished in Kashi in an effort to make the place visitor friendly. And that the same temples are now being relocated elsewhere in the kashi kshetra
I would ...
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Any Specific Reason for not having Raam Lala in Mandir at Home
Most of the Hindus, in there Mandir at home have Laddu Gopal, but very few (in fact I have seen none) who have Raam Lala (Bal Raam), is there any specific reason for such behavior? Are Hindus allowed ...
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What are some old temples dedicated to parshuram?
What are some old temples dedicated to parshuram,temples before medieval era will be appreciated.
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What is the Vedic ritual for Bhumi Puja of Mandir?
Recently the historic Bhumi Puja for Ram Mandir was conducted at Ayodhya, after at least 1000 years.
Which scripture details the exact method for doing Bhumi Puja, especially for that of a Mandir?
Is ...
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Do Rama's sacrifical posts still exist in Ayodhya?
The Sankalpa Suryodaya is an play by the 13th century Sri Vaishnava Acharya Vedanta Desikan. At one point in the play, a king goes around the world in a Vimana looking for a good place to meditate. He ...
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Why is Lord Jagannath shown as the Buddha Avatara in Puri?
On the inner wall of the Puri temple, a panel of the ten avataras are engraved (relief on stone).There we see Matsya, Kurma, Varaha, Nrisimha, Vamana, Parashurama,Rama,Balarama, JAGANNATH and Kalki.
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What are the different hasta (hand-postures) which Sri Vishnu holds in temples?
Sri Maha Vishnu resides as Archa-avatara murti (idol form) in many temples throughout Bharata, especially in 108 Divya Desas, most of which are in Tamil Nadu.
There is a sthala purana (story) behind ...
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Where did Thirumangai Alwar meet Narasimha?
The Alwars (also spelled Azhwars) are a group of 12 ancient Vaishnava saints who lived in Tamil Nadu and are famous for their poetry in praise of Vishnu. One of the Alwars was Thirumangai Alwar, aka ...
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How are the River, Vimana and Sthala Vruksha appropriately associated with respective temples?
The divyadesams of Vishnu has a connection comprising River, Vimana and Sthala vruksha. Example God Ranganathaswamy of Srirangam temple has cauvery as river, Vimana is Ranga Vimana and Sthala Vruksha [...
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What is the oldest scripture which explains how a temple should be built?
What is the oldest (surviving) Hindu scripture which explains how a temple should be built, maintained, and what should be its day-to-day affairs?
Is an English translation of the same available?
Is ...
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Where did Ramanujacharya's statue of Varadaraja come from?
I just came back from a trip to India, and one of the temples I visited was the famous Ranganatha temple in Sri Rangam. The temple has a shrine called the Udaiyavar Sannidhi, which contains the ...
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A priest died inside the temple beside the valmiki sage idol
My question is nearly about 24 years ago a priest died inside the temple beside an idol of sage shri valmiki rishi and after the death of the sage the temple was open and alternatively pooja rituals ...
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Do idols that receive worship in temples lose power over time and have to be re-energized?
I have seen an idol re-energized. Yagnas were conducted with kalashas filled with water placed next to the fire. The idol was then bathed in the energized water. Are procedures like this mentioned ...
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do temple deities acquire power from devotees?
i understand the idols are empowered by vedic chanting that is drawn into water and the idol bathed in the potent water.
is there also a hindu tradition that the deity is empowered by the devotees ...
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Did Madhwas squat on an ancient Siva temple at Kudupu?
From a user review from here
As per historical inscription dated 1679 this is one of the Shiva Temple dedicated to lord shiva. The inscription captures that Chouta Queen Rani Chennamma during her ...
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Is it true that Navagrahas should be worshiped after offering prayers to other Gods at temples?
At Hindu Temples, we see many dieties like Ganesha, Kartikeya (Muruga), Lord Shiva, Hanuman and Navagrahas. I heard that Navagrahas should be the worshiped only after offering prayers to other Gods ...
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What is the story of Narasimha in the Varadaraja Perumal temple?
I'm currently visiting India, and I just saw the Varadaraja Perumal Vishnu temple in Kanchipuram. As I discuss in this question this is the site of a Yagna performed by Brahma which Saraswati tried ...
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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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Story of Mookambika Temple from Puranas
Mookambika Temple at Kollur, Karnataka is a temple dedicated to Mookambika Devi. The story of it goes like Devi killed Mookasura, so it is called Mookambika Devi. It is believed that the story of ...
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How Sri Raghavendra Swami's Vrindabana was built?
All, I am a devotee of Guru Raghavendra Swami, as most of you're aware of his moola brindavana is located in Mantralayam, Andhra Pradesh. My query is how the brindavana is built up actually?
Like ...
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What scriptures mention the location of Kartikeya's marriage to Devasena?
As I discuss in this answer, Shiva's son Kartikeya, AKA Skanda or Muruga, has two wives, Valli and Devasena. Now I just came back from a trip to India, and one of the places I visited was the ...
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What scriptures describe Vishnu freeing the Bhutas from the curse of Shiva?
I just came back from a trip to India, and one of the places I visited was Sri Perumbudur. As I discuss here, it is the birthplace of the famous Sri Vaishnava Acharya Ramanujacharya. But my question ...
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Where is the story of Upilliappan in the Brahmanda Purana?
Most people only know about the Venkateshwara form of Vishnu (AKA Balaji or Srinivasa) in connection to the deity of the world-renowned Tirumala Venkateshwara Temple in Tirupati. But that is not the ...
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Is it possible to stay full time at a temple/religious location for an year or so? [closed]
Since over a year I've this disconnect with everything around me, people and work and everything else and now, sometimes have suicidal thoughts.
I wish to stay away from all this and find a meaning ...
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how the Gods permitted the desecration of Somnath, Kashi and Mathura temple by the invaders
This has vexed me for long. When the Hindu Gods were so powerful how could the Muslim invaders destroy the temples like Somnath, Kashi and Mathura where God were supposed to be living there after ...
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What are Char Dham?
What is the meaning of dham?
Why there are 4 only i.e char-dham.
If someone visit to char-dham, then will their sin be erased?
Means why people visit there and what do they get there?
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Why dandvat pranam has more importance? [duplicate]
In Hindu temples we can see that many people does Dandvat Pranam.
Why it is consider as more important than normal namaskara mudra ?
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Features in Temple architecture
What are the eight standard architectural features a Hindu temple should have?
The renowned archeologist KK Muhammed among others determined after long research that a large Hindu temple once stood in ...
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Is preaching recommended or mandatory to a temple priest?
Every temple in India has at least one priest. The act of preaching scriptures a recommended act or mandatory act for him?
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