Temples in Hinduism hold immense importance as they serve as a central hub for multiple dimensions of everyday life within the Hindu community. These include religious, cultural, educational, and social aspects. Hindus view their lives as a progression towards ultimate enlightenment and consider temples to be sacred spaces where they can seek connection with the divine and acquire divine wisdom. The pursuit of enlightenment and liberation is reflected in every aspect of the temple, from its design principles and construction to its architectural forms, decorations, and rituals.
The temple dissolves the boundaries between man and the divine through its design. The principal shrine must have its entrance to the east, facing the rising sun. The architecture reflects the importance of movement towards the sanctuary along the east-west axis and through consecrated spaces. Each temple has its own unique themes, as not every temple is the same. Hindus worship over altars in both their homes and at temples. Daily prayers are performed at family altars, while temples are visited for important matters or significant events and occasions.
Hindu temples are constructed as places of devotion, resembling man-made mountains, with the purpose of housing the idol of a specific deity. According to the Upanishads, these temples represent the eternal Lord residing within the ever-changing world. Unlike traditional places for sermons, temples primarily serve as a setting for worshippers to engage in personal reverence towards deities and foster social connections with fellow devotees. In ancient times, temple access was exclusively granted to kings, Brahmin priests, and esteemed nobles.
Even in modern times, individuals who are not Hindus are generally prohibited from entering Hindu temples. These temples typically comprise of two main parts: a mandapa, which serves as a prayer hall, and a garbhargriha or central shrine located within a sanctuary or inner sanctum. Within the sanctuary, an icon representing the specific Hindu deity to whom the temple is dedicated is placed and only priests are allowed access to this area. Surrounding the sanctuary and prayer hall is a covered space where worshipers can walk in a clockwise direction. The focal point of the temple is the elevated platform underneath the central tower, where the inner sanctum is situated.
The sanctuary, which symbolizes a womb, is the most sacred part of the temple and can hold either a statue or image of the god, or a linga representing Shiva to channel divine energy. In addition to this, there are shrines for other gods in a specific order for worshipers to follow. Furthermore, there are smaller secondary shrines surrounding the main temple dedicated to other gods or avatars who are consorts of the primary deity.
In Rochester, NY, I discovered a Hindu temple that stands out among the many temples in the world. Unlike others, this temple has a distinctive design with only one section containing an altar, shrines, and statues of different deities, priests, and incarnations. Nevertheless, its most remarkable aspect is the incorporation of symbols like Jesus on the cross, verses from the Quran, and a suspended Star of David statue on the wall. These additions serve to highlight equality among religions by emphasizing that no religion is superior to another.
Upon entering the prayer area, numerous statues, an altar, and pictures of individuals cover the walls. It is essential to recognize that the main altar is designed in the form of a reclining female figure. The head portrays a face, the left ear resembles an elephant, and the right ear represents a dripping water. Additionally, the altar contains a bust of the female it portrays. The reason behind this depiction is attributed to the beliefs of the temple’s creator. He maintained that children gather more willingly when summoned by their mother rather than their father.
Additionally, the hips and shoulders are added to the female body by other statue areas to emphasize the significance of God. Each individual statue represents a significant deity who was once a human being. It is important to note that every deity worshipped by Hindus used to be a person, but became a God due to their extraordinary abilities. Finally, it is crucial to acknowledge that the images of people on the walls depict influential Brahmins who impacted the temple’s leader.
This temple distinguishes itself by its unique approach to each shrine. There are two main reasons why this temple is criticized. Firstly, the temple’s leader welcomes non-Hindus into the premises, as he believes it is crucial for individuals to understand and become familiar with Hinduism. He acknowledges that every religion has distinct features and people should not disregard other beliefs around them. By promoting interactions between non-Hindus and Hindus, this temple allows for an observation of both the differences and similarities between these religions.
The temple faces extensive condemnation due to its treatment of women, which is the main cause for its unfavorable reputation. Women are frequently barred from engaging in the temple’s services on grounds like menstruation, pregnancy, or simply their gender. This exclusion perpetuates a notion that half of the Hindu community remains uninformed about their own faith. The temple’s founder acknowledged the significance of women in society and consequently designated them as leaders of the rituals.
Constantly faced with disapproval, he strives to educate others about his religion and advocate for women’s rights. Despite its similarities to other temples, the Rochester, NY temple is met with disdain due to its distinctiveness. Its founder envisioned a sanctuary for prayer and spiritual connection. In addition to preserving its Hindu identity, he endeavors to educate people about his faith to combat ignorance surrounding Hinduism.
During the rituals, an offer is made to each deity as part of their practice. Upon arrival, the group of HWS students had no knowledge of the significance of the fruit. However, after visiting the temple, they now understand the purpose behind the offering and its importance. Unfortunately, the Hindu religion often goes unnoticed and unappreciated. The man’s objective is to promote awareness and understanding of the religion, revealing its true essence. The temple serves as a space for individuals to learn, pray, and interact in a positive environment while also gaining insight into their own selves.
