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Dharamkira
The great tower of the Brihadisvara Temple lit at dusk, the Nandi pavilion in the foreground

Visiting a temple

Shoes off, hands folded, walk clockwise, receive prasad in the right hand — and ask when unsure.

Photo: Rainer Halama (edit: UnpetitproleX)CC BY-SA 4.0CC BY-SA 4.0

Most temples welcome visitors of any background. A few — Jagannath Puri and some temples in Kerala, for example — admit only Hindus, and a sign at the gate will say so. Dress modestly: shoulders and knees covered is safe everywhere. Some temples ask visitors to cover the head or to leave leather items outside; follow the notice.

Leave your shoes at the entrance. Wash your hands and feet if water is provided. Inside, walk clockwise around the shrine — pradakshina — keeping the deity on your right. Ring the bell if there is one; it announces your arrival. Stand before the murti, fold your hands, and say whatever you wish, silently. Do not touch the image unless invited, do not point your feet at it, and photograph only where allowed.

The priest may bring the aarti flame: cup your palms over it and touch them to your eyes. Prasad is received in the right hand, or the right over the left. A tilak on the forehead is a blessing, not a membership badge.

An offering to the temple's box is welcome and never required. Leave slowly. Most of what a temple asks of you is attention.

In the tradition's words

मातृदेवो भव । पितृदेवो भव । आचार्यदेवो भव । अतिथिदेवो भव ।

mātṛ-devo bhava, pitṛ-devo bhava, ācārya-devo bhava, atithi-devo bhava

Let your mother, your father, your teacher and your guest each be as a god to you.

Taittirīya Upaniṣad 1.11.2

See it

A temple visit in five moves
  1. shoes offat the door
  2. ring the bellyou have arrived
  3. walk clockwisepradakṣiṇā
  4. see, be seendarśana
  5. receiveprasāda, in the right hand
Customs vary by region and temple; these five hold almost everywhere. Photography of the inner shrine is usually not allowed — ask, or look for the sign.

Where it lives

Where this comes from

Living custom; practices differ by region and temple, and the temple's own notices take precedence over anything written here.

On Dharamkira