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In this vlog, I take you along on my first visit to a Hindu temple in the USA, known as Sri Lakshmi Temple located in Boston. As a Muslim, I was curious to e...
- 12 min
- 241
- Umar Yousafzai
Experiencing Biggest Hindu Temple in USA | Visiting the Biggest Hindu Temple in USA! #bapsshriswaminarayanmandir #akshardhamusa Discovering BAPS Swaminarayan...
- 12 min
- 493
- Nikhil Vlog Show
Hi Friends, Today I am sharing with you our trip to Hindu temple. This will give you an idea how temples in America are. Heer I give you a sneak peak inside ...
- 17 min
- 5.8K
- Indian American Vlogger
- Overview
- Preparing to Visit the Temple
- Entering the Temple
- Moving Through the Temple
Hindu temples are gorgeous and sacred spaces, and visiting one should be at the top of your itinerary if you’re traveling abroad. Even visiting your local temple is a culturally enriching and educational experience not to be missed. But before you go, it’s important to familiarize yourself with some basic etiquette to make sure your time there is courteous and respectful. We’ll fill you in on everything you need to need to know, from what to do before you go, how to enter, and how to move about and respect the temple itself.
Take a shower and put on loose, modest clothes that cover your shoulders, back, and knees before you head to the temple.
Remove your shoes before you enter, and refrain from taking photos, chewing gum, or talking loudly once you’re inside.
Work clockwise through the temple and use your right hand or both hands to give a priest small offerings, like flowers, to be placed before each statue.
Take a shower or a bath before you visit.
Everyone is welcome to visit most Hindu temples, but practitioners of the Hindu faith ask that you come washed and clean. The temple is where many Hindu deities are enshrined, and you want to present your best self.
It’s a bit like visiting an esteemed elder—you wouldn’t want to show up disheveled, and a neat appearance shows your respect.
To prepare yourself mentally and spiritually, also take a moment to reflect on your visit and what you hope to experience. If you
, reflect on God or the deities present in the temple you’re visiting.
Cover your shoulders and back, or wear traditional clothing.
Turn off your phone and display your best self.
The temple is a sacred, holy space, so practice polite, constrained behavior when visiting. Before you enter, turn off or silence your phone and throw out any gum or other trash you might carry. Lower your voice and avoid loud conversation or laughter. Put away any cameras, as photography is often not permitted within the temple.
Also extinguish any cigarettes, and leave alcohol outside.
In addition, avoid any displays of affection, like holding hands, hugs, or kisses within the temple. This is a space for respecting the deities, so give the building and its features your full attention.
Remove your footwear outside the temple.
Most temples will have a space designated for your shoes: usually a series of cubby-holes along one of the temple’s exterior walls.
Bow before each statue you pass.
As you come across each statue, join the palms of your hands near your heart into a “namaskara” (a traditional pose) and bow.
This is the minimum act you should perform in front of each statue as a respectful gesture. Practicing Hindus often bow or fully prostrate themselves in front of statues as a sign of respect and reverence. If you feel comfortable, prostrate yourself as well, although it’s not required.
If you do prostrate or sit before a statue, avoid pointing your feet in its direction. Feet are generally seen as unclean, and pointing them at a statue may be seen as disrespectful.
Avoid touching the shrines or statues.
A single temple can house hundreds of statues—do not attempt to touch any one of them; this is seen as an inappropriate and disrespectful act. Also, never enter the cove or space that houses each shrine or statue. In Hindu faith, only priests are permitted to touch the statues and enter these spaces. Keep a respectful distance unless a priest invites you to take a closer look.
Sep 25, 2024 · It's open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Robbinsville, NJ -- August 2, 2024 -- Completed and encouraging visitors of all faiths to tour it’s artistic detail carved in marble, BAPS Swaminarayan ...
Hindu temples are sacred places to people of Hindu faith, behave calmly and respectfully at all times. Temple grounds are drug free, tobacco free and alcohol free zone; You should take a shower or bath before visiting the temple. It’s not necessary to wear traditional Indian clothing to a temple, both men and women should wear modest ...
Apr 24, 2024 · So take a look at the Top 10 Hindu temples in USA and prepare to reconnect with your soul. 1. Sri Maha Vallabh Ganapati Devasthanam, New York. Image Source: pixabay. The Maha Vallabh Ganapati Devasthanam is one of the most beautiful Hindu temples in USA and is dedicated to the God of beginnings, Lord Ganesha.
