WHY WE SHOULD VISIT TEMPLES?

There are hundreds of temples in India of various types and shapes dedicated to many gods. Most Hindus know that a visit to a temple is one of the necessities of their life. However, the devotees don’t know that there is a scientific reason for this, as there is for everything in Hinduism.

Many of the temples today have been constructed in a modern way without due regard to the ancient method of temple architecture. We are not talking about these temples. The temples which have been constructed in ancient times followed the basic methods as given in the shastras on the method of temple construction. They are located in places where the earth’s magnetic waves are predominant. They are strategically located at places where the positive energy flowing from the north and south poles, are actively felt. The idol is kept in the centre. A yantra (mystic design) or some mantras etched on a copper plate is kept below the idol. This room is known as the “Garbhagriha” which literally means a womb. This is also known as the Moolasthan. The copper absorbs the earth’s magnetic waves and radiates to the surroundings. The utensils that are used inside the sanctum are normally of copper or silver or gold, all of which are high conductors of subtle energy. So, the magnetic energy is absorbed by them effortlessly.

In addition, the Garbhagriha is completely enclosed on three sides so the energy is not dissipated. The ghee lamps also radiate heat and light energy. No other oil is used inside the Garbhagriha.

Thus, a person who regularly visits a temple and makes a clockwise pradakshina (circumambulation) of the Garbhagriha, automatically receives the beamed magnetic waves which will be absorbed by his body. Of course, nature does not work overnight. She takes her own time for everything. Thus, only by having regular visits to such temples will be able to absorb this energy. Just as we need to re-charge our phone batteries every day so also, we have to re-charge our spiritual batteries. Hence in in ancient times every village had one or more temples to which all villagers used to go before proceeding to their fields or shops or wherever they used to work.

Bells in temples were made of a special metal called “bell metal”. The ringing of these bells and the humming sound that is left after they are struck, gives forth a very special sound energy. Hence all temples have bells and all devotees are supposed to strike them as they enter. Of course, the chanting of the Vedic mantras also adds to the sound energy.

The smell of lighted camphor has been found to have a very positive type of chemical energy. But one has to be careful to use only pure camphor not the smokeless, chemical stuff which is being sold these days.

The effect of all these energies is activated by the positive energy that emanates from the idol.

The water used for the Pooja is mixed with Cardamom, Benzoin, Holy Basil (Tulsi), Clove, etc. This is called “charanamrit” or "teertham".

The clove essence protects one from tooth decay, the saffron & Tulsi leaves protect one from common cold and cough, cardamom and benzoine known as Pachha Karpuram, acts as a mouth refreshing agents.

This water becomes more energized by receiving all the other energies around.

During arati the doors are normally closed in order to light the lamps. After the lamps are lit, the doors are flung open and the positive energy gushes forth and engulfs all the people who are thronging just outside the door. The priest comes out and sprinkles the energized water on those who are standing outside, thus passing the energy to all who are lucky enough to be waiting there.

In south Bharat there is a strict dress code that has to be followed before entering temples. Men are not allowed to wear shirts. They should only use an uttareeyam (a piece of cloth) to cover their chests. This allows the water to be received on their bare bodies.

Of course, ladies cannot do this so they are asked to wear gold jewelry when they go to the temple since gold absorbs the energy.

Why are coconuts and bananas offered in temples?

These two fruits are considered sacred. All other fruits have seeds which have the capacity to reproduce. But if you eat the coconut and throw away the shell it will not reproduce. Similar is the case with the banana.

You should break a coconut by having this idea.

The outer shell is the ahamkara or ego which one has to break. If the ego is gone, the mind will be pure like the white tender flesh inside the shell. Then only pure “bhakti” or devotion will pour out of it like the water. The three eyes of the coconut on top of the shell stand for (the three gunas) sattva, rajas and tamas. They also stand for the three states of time, “past, present and future” and the three sheaths of the body known as “sthula, sukshma and karana. This is the physical, mental and causal sheaths.

All these will be controlled if we break a coconut at the temple with this knowledge.

These are the many reasons why our ancestors told us to visit temples on a regular basis.

Hari Aum Tat Sat