Why Do People Visit Temples Theology Religion Essay

Taking the topic “Why people visit Temples?” as the basic for my research I have tried to gather as much of information as possible .With the given information ,I later on conducted a survey by visiting a nearby temple and asking questions to random people . In the end with the scientific research and the survey conducted a conclusion as been drawn.

The Presentation covers the following topics:

Temple and its origin?

What are the associated beliefs?

What does the Scientific Research say?

The Survey Conducted

Conclusion

#Temples

What is a temple?

A Hindu temple also known as A Mandir, Kovil or Devalayam is a place of worship for followers. Hindu temples can be seen throughout the villages, towns and cities of India..A temple can be any structure by the side of the road or an entire complex of buildings. Regardless of its size a Hindu Temple is essentially a dwelling place for the Gods. In Sanskrit this process of invocation of Gods is called ‘Parthista’.

ORIGIN

There were merely any temples in the Vedic period and the foremost object of worship during that time was fire that was stood for God , so under the open-sky this holy fire was lit and oblations were offered. Though it not certain as to when exactly the Indo-Aryans started building temples for worship but the main idea of building a temple was for idol worship.

Temples became more important as the race progressed as they served as the sacred meeting place for the community to come together and revitalize their spiritual energies. The architecture of Hindu temples has evolved over for a period of more than 2000 years with great variety of different shapes and sizes with different types of domes and gates.

#Associated Beliefs..

Belief is a kind of feeling of surety that someone or something exists or is true or trustworthy. It can be anything that a person thinks is true.

When it comes down to ‘visiting a temple’ and ‘why do people visit temples , there are numerous beliefs to this.

Most of the people in India who believe in God, they visit temples, churches, dargahs, gurudwaras etc and pray for their worldly requirements and think God will fulfill their wishes and in exchange to that these people offer something worldly to the imaginary God and this includes Coconut, Donation, Gold ornaments, A Coverlet etc.

Majority of the people specially the youth believe that although they don’t know the importance of all these rituals and practices but this tradition of going to the temple and worshipping god has been existent in their family since the time of their great grandparents and thus even they follow the same.

Many Hindus pray at home which is a usual practice. They usually have a small prayer room and pictures of devathas(Gods and Goddesses) framed. There are also small idols in gold, silver, brass, panchalohans(made of five metals) in different shapes. At home there are also many distractions like the TV, cooking, eating meat, talking loud etc, but when we go to a temple we also see many other people or devotees who come to worship and pray and the whole atmosphere of ringing bells, chanting of Vedic Mantras, singing of songs and bhajans ,also the prasadam cooked in the temples is done cleanly with devotion and everything is kept clean and all this brings so much of positive energy to the place and one feels very peaceful in such environment.

#SCIENTIFIC STUDY:

What Does Science say?

The visit to a temple is perceived as a tradition that needs to be followed as our elders have done themselves and the science behind this age old tradition has been completely overlooked. The Vedas have clearly laid down instructions as to the procedure for constructing a temple and all these instructions are backed by a strong scientific justification. Ideally all temples should be constructed in accordance with these guidelines.

The ideal location of a temple should be such that it falls on the wave path of the Earth’s magnetic field. The abundance of positive energy from the electro-magnetic field thrust is the reason behind this strategic positioning of the temple. Also the Main Idol is to be placed at the dead centre of the temple compound where the field is the strongest hence it has been clearly mentioned that the main idol is placed first and then the temple is constructed around it. Copper plates inscribed with Vedic texts are buried just under the main idol this is done as copper absorbs the magnetic waves and radiates them into the surroundings therefore a person regularly visiting the temple and walking around the main idol absorbs these waves therefore taking in greater amounts of positive energy which is the essence of healthy living.

The prayers and chants recited during the pujas put a person in a state of trance hence allowing him to forget his troubles for a period of time and thus relieving some of his stress. Scientific research has also shown that burning of camphor releases such chemical energy that brings a soothing effect to the mind and hence households have adopted this practice as well.

Also the water that is to be given to the devotees is not plain simple water but water charged with magnetic radiations as a result of being poured over the main idol. This is magneto therapy in principle. Also certain ingredients such as Cardamom, Karpura (Benzoin), saffron, Tulsi (Holy Basil), Cloves are added to the water. Many of these ingredients have proven medicinal properties e.g. Clove essence is a defense against tooth decay, tulsi protects against cough and common cold. Teeratham another commonly used ingredient is a blood purifier.

This science that goes in construction of a temple is rarely known to common people but is at heart of all great temples created.

#Survey Conducted :

Why do you visit temple?

Following is the list of people and their answers.

Name and occupation

Answers

Mr.Surinder Talwar(Documentry Film Maker)

Just Go at times as parents go to a temple so just followed what was practiced at home

Mr Vaibhav Sarkar (Student)

Have seen my parents go to a temple no other reason for it.

Mrs.Babita Bhutani(House Wife)

I go to the temple to thank God for everything and for the positive energy the place has.

Mrs Kalinidi Talwar (House Wife)

It is a place where community comes together to pray because they feel a positive vibe as the good and bad energies in people mingle and balance out. So we go to a temple.

Mr.Ishan Abrol (MBA Student)

Visiting a temple gives me inner peace.

Mr. Harish Nautiyal (Government Officer)

Visiting a temple gives me a sense of peace.

Miss Vashti Talwar (Air Hostess)

Just going to a temple helps bring a calming influence to the mind.

Mr. Surinder Kaw (Chef):

Faith in what elders have said so started going to the temple to pray.

Mrs.Indu Katyal (Business Women)

There are lesser distractions while praying in a temple as everyone is gathered for the same purpose.

Mr Rahul Tanwar (police Officer)

Its something I have been doing since childhood with parents and family.

Mr Laxman Sharma (Commis Chef)

Only go when parents ask me to. No reason as such.

Miss. Shivani Nayyar (Law student)

I like going to the temple because of its positive and peaceful environment.

Mr Satbir Thakur (Governtment Officer)

Faith that going to a temple regularly will bring a positive impact in our lives.

Mrs Ritu Kapoor (Housewife)

Go there to pray in peace and at times consult pandits about family issues

Mr. Dilip Padhi (Corporate Executive)

Started because parents wanted me to go to a temple.

Mr.Chetan Angra (M.Sc Student)

I go to the temple to thank God for everything,I also go as there are no distractions.

Mr Utkal Sethi (Bank Employee)

Praying in a temple brings peace of mind after a tiring day at work.

Mr. Sanjay Sharma(Economics student)

I go to the temple to pray for a beautiful future wife.

Mr. Atul Kapoor (Merchant Navy Officer)

Generally pray at home but go to a temple if some special puja is to be done as the pandits know mantras and shlokas that we dont.

Mr. Nibhay (Mill Owner)

Go to the temple as believe that will get blessing and problems would go away.

The number of people who visit Temple :

Because of their parents – 5

For the positivity of the place -5

To consult pandits about their mantras for puja and other problems – 2

Inner peace – 4

For a personal wishes – 1

Less distractions -3

#CONCLUSION:

It is quite clearly evident from the information collected that people are not aware about the science behind the construction of the temples and nor the fact that what they feel inside a temple is not the effect of a divine power but researched theories put into practical use.

People go to temples either out of necessity or because they are doing what they have seen their elders do. But the fact has been clearly established that going to temples is not just a religious binding but something much more. And whatever our reasons be we gain in one way or the other.