Approaching a Hindu Temple Deity: A Primer for Beginners

A lot of meditators to Hindu temples are not coming from traditional Hindu, or Eastern, backgrounds. Many practitioners today are coming from the yoga culture that has permeated the world. These wonderful souls seeking to find the depths of yoga practice, and its origins, make their way into the holy temples of the Hindu faith seeking to stretch their new flexible wings. With a few pointers, anyone can feel right at home at any mandir, temple, math, mut, ashram or monastery/temple complex!

Approaching a Hindu Temple might be intimidating for the unfamiliar. Fear not, a Hindu Temple and its devotees welcome all souls seeking the divine darshan of a Hindu deity. In fact, you may even leave the temple having joined into a large new family. Don\

t be surprised to be called Auntie or Uncle! '

Observe others to find out what the shoe protocol is for that specific temple and do what others are doing. Traditionally shoes will need to be removed at some point during the temple approach.

Walk, or circumambulate, around the temple if it has access to do so. This begins a mental purification process so you can peacefully enter the temple having shed any worldly concerns or excessive thoughts. Now would be a good time to turn off your cell phone.

Have your fruit offering ready to give to the deity. An offering says you are humbly seeking the blessings of the deity and you have fresh prana, or energy, to offer in return.

Have a flower ready! If you can\

t get a fruit offering then try to have a flower in hand. Both offerings are the perfect pair if you can manage it. Usually a tray sits in front of the shrine for such offerings. Lay it in the tray or at the deity itself if the temple allows. Again, now is the time to see how others make their offering. '

A devout Hindu will prostrate before the deity, humbly offering themselves to the grace of the God. Men stretch out, head first, in full fashion. Women go halfway and genuflect in Balasana.

Now is the time to be an empty cup. Try not to overload the deity with mental questions or concerns, just be as you are. God is there, God is working. Be empty and available to be filled with an insight from the deity.

Stare into the deity\

s eyes. Reflect on love and energy flowing out from the shrine into your aura. Remain as an empty cup and just look as a child looks in awe of fireworks in the sky. Let the deity perform their work. There is a letting go in all of this, a surrendering known as prapatti in Sanskrit. '

Sit down and meditate. Never poke your feet and legs out at the shrine! This is not allowed for any Hindu Temple. Just sit and breathe. The yoga practitioners excel at this point and can dive within with the help of the deity. You may prostrate again when you are leaving, or simply touch the ground and namaste as you depart. Hopefully this gets you a good start at enjoying a Hindu Temple, which can be lively at times. Don\

t worry, observe the customs through other people and you will be fine. Divine, in fact. '
}
];

transitionSpeed:150});