Our temples - II
So how to get the best experience out of temple visits? The following are some don’ts based on my personal experience.
I don’t recommend going to temples on auspicious days, particularly the more famous ones. Maybe its just me. During those days, I don’t see any difference between the temple and the movie theatre which screens a Rajini film. Only that we do not hear whistles.
Please don’t go to temples to sign a deal with God. ‘Perumaalai sevicha paisa varum’. Oh no, please don’t see Perumal as a Sowcarpet Sait. He may not like it.
You may be a master in time management, but never practice all those tricks in a temple. I’ve seen people hurry up and down the prahaarams, as if some dog is chasing them from behind. If you have some important work to do, its better you leave the temple to attend that.
Our Gods may be depicted as romantics in our epics, but that does not mean you need to romance around with your girlfriend in the temple. I think Marina, Valluvar Kottam, Adyar Childrens Park are much better alternatives. In my opinion, the experience of temple is best felt when you are alone.
Never, never associate fear with God. Then there is no difference between God and Devil.
Dont think you are smart when you manage to avoid a Q by bribing someone. Unfortunately, people do this all the time. You are defeating the very purpose of temple visit.
I don’t believe in the theory that if you ask God, you shall be given. If only that were true, every soul in this country would’ve been a millionaire, lived a healthy life forever and would have their enemies killed under myserious circumstances just like its in those bhakthi movies. I know many people go to temples just because of this. If God expects you to ask, then what kind of God is (s)he??. Is (s)he not supposed to know the bhakthan’s needs and provide accordingly?? I think some of our puranams went overboard and distorted things to ridiculous extent.
I don’t think it’s such a direct relationship.
A more logical theory is that when you follow certain practices, your mind is peaceful and clear, when your mind is clear, you can think better and when you can think better, you solve your problems or learn to manage your problems. God and religion are merely tools, but it’s you who handle your problems. Anyway this theory is what i believe in:)
Take care of these things, visit temples in a relaxed mood, maintain silence as much as possible and I’m sure visiting temples will be a very positive experience, at least it was to me 
[While i’ve written about some shortcomings in Hindusim earlier which i feel is still valid, i also thought i need to highlight the positive aspects and its psychological relevance even today i observed in our places of worship. Nevertheless these are just my 2 cents :)]
September 28th, 2006 at 8:55 am
very well said. keep it up. good work. nalla irunthathu, vaazhthukal, naasam ponga, nachunu soneenga…
September 28th, 2006 at 1:42 pm
Very well written…
September 28th, 2006 at 2:12 pm
very well written PK, but these are not the shortcomings of Hinduism, but rather the faults of the people. Hinduism is correct, but the people interpret things incorrectly. Well that is a matter to be discussed. But anyways a good writeup! Btw, I too went for a pilgrimage trip recently and here are the photos - Temple Photos
September 28th, 2006 at 2:31 pm
Hmmmm, idhaye dhaan naanum pala naala veetulayum, velilayum solittu irukken…evan kekkuran???
September 28th, 2006 at 6:15 pm
Crowded temples irritate the heck out of me. Which is why I prefer the small quiet, perumal kovil near my place.
Nice post.
September 29th, 2006 at 2:21 am
PK,
long time ku aporama un blog pakkam varen…
good thoughts each one of them..
ivvlo theliva yosikkara, smart a irukka, photos ellam sooper a edukkara… aporama unaku yen GF illa?
illa adhunala thaan illaiyo??
September 29th, 2006 at 2:47 am
Well written,Pk
Ippo Web Darisanam facility irukum podhu nalla naalla kovilukku poganuma enna ? 
………..
September 30th, 2006 at 4:55 am
//A more logical theory is that when you follow certain practices, your mind is peaceful and clear, when your mind is clear, you can think better and when you can think better, you solve your problems or learn to manage your problems.
100% correct PK: very nice post!
September 30th, 2006 at 6:35 am
srikanth,
danks man:)
aprom ‘wonderful site, click here to find out the best automobile deals’
nu ellam adikadi comment varude adhukku nee daan karanama?? ;p
September 30th, 2006 at 6:35 am
bala,
nandri sir.
September 30th, 2006 at 6:39 am
r.prabhu
thank u. if a vast majority of a particular group are accused of a shortcoming, there is no point in distinguishing the principles of the group from its members.
it may be that the group /sect is not directly responsible. but its also that the group, acting through its leaders, has done nothing to discourage and avoid those shortcomings. right or wrong, this has always been my take. i think the same applies for hinduism too…
September 30th, 2006 at 6:41 am
r,prabhu..
i did check out your blog. wonderful to know abt the old lady!
September 30th, 2006 at 6:41 am
krish,
correct dhaan!
September 30th, 2006 at 6:44 am
anu,
well u r not alone!
apdi kovilukku poganumnu avasiyamaee illa, i dont think God says anywhere even in Bhagwad gita to visit a temple in auspicious days!!
infact i doubt if he says abt temples shuud be visited at all. but i am not sure so i dont want to commmit anything now ;p
September 30th, 2006 at 6:45 am
prabhu
>>illa adhunala thaan illaiyo??
ejatlee!! naanga late a pudichlaaum latest a pudipom
(ponna dhaan)
Wait and see!:)
September 30th, 2006 at 6:47 am
adengappa,
>>Web dharisanam..
hm. enakku vera sila udharanam ellam sollanum nu thonudhu.
we’ll discuss it offline
September 30th, 2006 at 7:05 am
Came to your blog thro Syam’s. Very well written, when I was in India I went to Kukke Subramanya temple and was amazed to see how organized they were. We had to do so poojas and when all was done we gave dakshina for the poojari. He then introduces us to the treasurer and then whispers in our ears give him 51 atleast…for what, why? Such experiences hurt me..we go to temples to pray ,why this..
October 3rd, 2006 at 7:59 pm
Your experience and writing is good. You have thought well and hence the post. I stopped going frequently to temples long back because of so many reasons. Temple is a place of worship. People should go there only if they have pure thought and not for anyother purpose. Recently I was listening to a scholar in one of the TV’s about Temple going habits. He rightly said there is a great vibration in temples because of good people’s thoughts, bhajans, hymns being recited. Also in those days there had been a belief to visit temples on auspicious days. But commercialism has not left temples untouched. There is lot of commercial. People have stopped thinking. I know people from various fields, who lead their life illegal way, but paint their forehead and body with Sandal paste, and etc., and try to give attendance to the deity on such auspicious days. As you have said, people walk and run as if they are being chased by a mad dog inside a temple and want to finish their attendance. Also, many of the opinion to settle their account equivalent to dropping the value in cash inside the Hundi. I do not know which stockmarket announces the equivalent money value of their sin. Hmmmmmmm. As you have said it is being spoiled by romantic lovers nowadays. I do not understand why they chose a temple for their romance. Even TV Serials and movies are portraying their characters doing so. Why this wrong publicity? After all this, why there is competion in building temples in every streets. We know that there are thousands of massive temples which are left uncared for ages. Why cannot good clubs, charities, associations or corporate bodies, take up the responsibilities of maintaining them, instead of encouraging hundreds of temples springing up in every colony. I remember a dozen of amman temples, Pillaiyar temples, Perumal temples near my house and every one approaching the residents for donations. Of all, there is a culture of building temples as part time job within the compound wall of the house. A strict law should be framed to restrict people having temples within their residential compounds. I have come across few temples which came up just for their personal earnings. Shame on those. We all know that ‘ Kovil illa ooril kudiyurukka vendam ‘. By the way commercialism peeping into temples someone may say ‘Kovil irukkum ooril kudiyirukka vendam’.
October 3rd, 2006 at 9:50 pm
Interesting post ! Modhal la manasukku pattadha honest a sollidaren. Indha maadhiri “Dont’s” or “Do’s” ellam need not be acceptable to every one. Each person has his own expectations from God and his own reasons for visiting a temple. Indha Do’s and Dont’s might shake that foundation. These might work for you, but might not work for another person. That being said, I accept with almost every one of these..
Especially this -
“Dont think you are smart when you manage to avoid a Q by bribing someone”
This earlier post of mine had some similar thoughts.
“http://dinster.blogspot.com/2005/04/conversation-with-my-conscience.html”
October 3rd, 2006 at 11:46 pm
PK, ennaathu ithu ore kovil kulam nu post poda aarambichuteenga, veetla ponnu paarka aarambichutaangala
October 4th, 2006 at 2:41 pm
Nice post! Enna koyil ellam visitng :>
Anyting intrstng>????
November 7th, 2006 at 5:00 pm
shankari
sorry for the delayed response.
>>He then introduces us to the treasurer and then whispers in our ears give him 51 atleast..
idhellam thirundhara jenmangal illai!