The Indian subcontinent is home to innumerable temples. Every day, millions of devotees visit the temples. If Almighty is present everywhere, why should we mainly go to temples? Can't we worship from the comfort of our homes?
Yes, we can pray/worship from any corner of the world. We need to understand that temples are NOT meant ONLY for worship. Temples are highly charged spiritualistic and powerful zones and not public worship places. Please note that whenever I say 'temple,' I refer to the ones built several hundred years ago.
Temples were the epicenters of the cities. In the beginning, a temple used to be constructed, and gradually, a town used to expand around it. Ancient Indians have built many marvelous temples that can be seen nowhere except in the Indian subcontinent.
1. The Strategic Architechture
The compares
on of Temple Design with Human Body.
This is based on the concept 'Yatha Pine, Tatha Brahmande'. (As is the micro-body, so is the macro universe.) The universe is similar to the human body.
The ancient temples of the Indian subcontinent were intricately designed. With the Garbhagriha as head, the structure of the temple complex resembled that of a human body. The ratio and proportions strictly adhered to the Agama Shastras and the Vaastu Shastras.
We can observe various parts in a temple complex. The majority of temples have a magnificent Rajagopuram (the entrance tower) at their entrances. Then, there will be a Dhwajastambha (the flag pole). Later, we come across Mukhamandapam, Ardhamandapam, Mahamandapam (various halls), Pradakshina path, and finally the Garbhagriha (sanctum Sanctorum) in which the statue of a deity is installed.
The Rajagopuram & Dhwajastambha, Murdeshwara
Starting from the Rajagopuram, as we move towards the garbhagriha, the doors' width decreases, narrowing the passage. This ensures that the energy is concentrated at the garbhagriha. Hence, Garbhagriha radiates energy.
Like this, we can reap the benefits of superior architecture.
2. Recharging our 'Earth Element'
A lady removing her footwear before stepping into a temple.
It's a common practice for devotees to remove their footwear before entering the temple space. This is to bring the feet in contact with the ground. The floors of ancient temples made up of hard rocks are such that they conduct positive energy and vibrations. As we walk over these floors, the fuel enters our bodies.
Like the electric appliances, our body too requires earthing. While being barefoot inside the temples, unwanted energy flows out from our bodies.
3. Soak into the Pool of Energy.
Monks are circumambulating a sacred place.
As mentioned earlier, the Garbhagriha emits beneficial radiation in every possible direction. Hence, to utilize it effectively, we do the Pradakshinas (Circumambulations). The number of Pradakshinas varies according to the deity.
In Several temples, especially in Southern India, men must remove their shirts, and women are asked to wear golden ornaments before entering into temples. This is to ensure that we absorb the best of energy.
4. Sync into the Blissful sounds
The bells hung at the entrances of temples.
We can hear the bells ringing and sacred hymns being chanted whenever we are close to any temple. In our childhood, every one of us has been lifted by elder ones to make us ring the bells hung at a higher height. The bells are made up of alloys that contain copper, bronze, cadmium, etc. Made up of heavy metals, the sound produced when a bell rings can destroy microbes.
The sound of bells helps us calm down and aligns the left and right hemispheres of the brain. Along with bells, the Vedic Mantras' continuous chants, which reverberate inside the temples. These mantras have beneficial effects on the human body. They reduce stress, increase positivity.
A conch being blown
Conches are blown as the symbol of auspiciousness. It's a kind of happiness to listen to the sound of the conch being blown.
5. The Abhishekam
Abhishekam of Sri Venkateshwara
Abhishekam (Bathing the Deity) is one such ritual done every day, yet very few people know the actual reason behind it. Abhishekam has two primary uses. One is that it conserves the idol on which it is performed, the other being that it is advantageous for the one who consumes it.
As the idols are made up of rocks, cracks begin to appear on them along with time. Hence, to avoid it, the models are regularly bathed by fatty substances such as milk, ghee, honey, curd, and many more. This ritual is called Abhishekam.
After the Abhishekam, these substances (Milk, Ghee, Curd, Honey) are distributed among the devotees in the form of prasaadam. As these substances have washed the idol, they have gained some unique property of that rock which is present as that idol. Therefore, it is beneficial for the one who consumes it.
6. Mood Refreshers
Tranquil Aarti on the banks of Ganga
Many fragrant substances are used in the pooja which makes our mood pleasant. Things like sandalwood paste, fragrant flowers, incense sticks, etc., make the environment more divine.
The lamps and fire add a golden glow to the ambiance. It gives joy to the eyes.
7. Experience the Beauty
Beautifully carved Chennakeshava Temple, Karnataka
Along with several invisible energies, temples are also an embodiment of eternal beauty. The Chennakeshava temple is living proof of the brilliancy of our ancestors. It has miraculous carvings which leave us speechless.
Not only this, there are several other temples such as the Meenakshi temple of Madurai, Brihadeeshwar Temple of Tanjore, Padmanabha temple of Tiruvananthapuram, and many more are examples of marvels.
They are so beautiful that it would not be wrong if we call them one of the wonders of this world.
Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai
Virupaksha Temple, Hampi 
Tirumala Temple
Places of Worship or Charging centers?
From now onwards, whenever you visit temples, please sit somewhere and meditate for a while. This helps you to activate all your senses. Don't look at temples as the place for worship. Look at them as the place to charge, charge ourselves with positivity.
What do you think about temples? Please let me know in the comment section below.
I thank you for reading till the end.
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