Hindu Temples vary greatly. They come in basically three kinds: Agamic temples, halls/houses of worship, and shrines. All can be referred to as temples, but they vary greatly, as can the vibration within each. All are open to all Hindus, and have opening/closing hours times. They can be run by individuals, communities, or families of priests. They can be much much more than meeting places.
Generally people sit on the floor, either carpet, or stone, and there are statues of our Gods. The statues (oft criticised as idol worship) are conduits for spiritual energy, and work in much the same way as copper conducts electricity. Some Hindus would see them more as symbols of the divine though.
Agamic temples - These are the real powerhouses of Hinduism. The architecture, the priesthood, the rituals, and more make these places sanctified. By following the strict rules set out in the Agamas (an ancient set of scriptures often used in the same phrase as the Vedas) the temple becomes quite literally and mystically the home of the Gods. The priesthood is trained b through the generations to run these places. In India, they are found mostly in the South, and are masterpieces of stone. Some have been built in the west. All Agamic temples have annual festivals where Hinduism is adored, the parade deities go outside for walks, and all the rituals get amplified by 5 times or more. These usually last at least ten days.
Most Hindus can feel the sannidhya (vibration) within such a place, and they follow certain rules like directions, only priests allowed in the sanctums, no photography, and quite a few purity rules. (Shoes, foot wash, birth and death not-entering times, no food from outside, in some cases no non-Hindus allowed) Devotees in the know feel the inside/outside sense when entering, and know they are in sanctified pure space. During the consecration (and reconsecration every 12 years) definite psychic boundaries are drawn out, usually in a domino rectangle, with 2 squares, and the residing God seated ion the very middle of the second square as one enters. This is the sanctum sanctorum or moolasthanam in Sanskrit and all energy radiates our from there.
Hall type Mandirs - This style is more congregational and generally doesn't follow a scriptural design, but is more created by humans to meet the needs of the community. There is often no directin associated, and all the deities will be in shrines along the walls, and in particularly on one end. They are much more open than in Agamic temples, as is the worship. Individuals can often do their own abhishekham etc. These are the common Sanatani temples on North India, and often the priest doubles as pandit, giving a talk once a week or so. (Not the case in Agamic temples, where priest only have the duty of caring for the Gods presiding there). There is often congregational style worship with group singing and bhakti. Food can be served in the temple, or an adjacent hall. In general the rules aren't as strict, and these halls can host weddings, but not funerals.
Shrines - Shrines are established by individuals to honor visions, or places. India has thousands of roadside shrines. But they aren't temples in the sense that they're not open large spaces where community worship is held. What goes on there is determined by the individual. Often a volunteer is in charge, and there aren't such elaborate rituals by priests. Other than being outside somewhere, they aren't much different than the shrine found in every Hindu's home. (Many Hindus dedicate an entire room of the house to a shrine, but at least part of a room.)
So if newcomers or interfaith people trying to broaden their knowledge were to go to a Hindu temple, it would be good to know roughly the style you were going to.
Generally people sit on the floor, either carpet, or stone, and there are statues of our Gods. The statues (oft criticised as idol worship) are conduits for spiritual energy, and work in much the same way as copper conducts electricity. Some Hindus would see them more as symbols of the divine though.
Agamic temples - These are the real powerhouses of Hinduism. The architecture, the priesthood, the rituals, and more make these places sanctified. By following the strict rules set out in the Agamas (an ancient set of scriptures often used in the same phrase as the Vedas) the temple becomes quite literally and mystically the home of the Gods. The priesthood is trained b through the generations to run these places. In India, they are found mostly in the South, and are masterpieces of stone. Some have been built in the west. All Agamic temples have annual festivals where Hinduism is adored, the parade deities go outside for walks, and all the rituals get amplified by 5 times or more. These usually last at least ten days.
Most Hindus can feel the sannidhya (vibration) within such a place, and they follow certain rules like directions, only priests allowed in the sanctums, no photography, and quite a few purity rules. (Shoes, foot wash, birth and death not-entering times, no food from outside, in some cases no non-Hindus allowed) Devotees in the know feel the inside/outside sense when entering, and know they are in sanctified pure space. During the consecration (and reconsecration every 12 years) definite psychic boundaries are drawn out, usually in a domino rectangle, with 2 squares, and the residing God seated ion the very middle of the second square as one enters. This is the sanctum sanctorum or moolasthanam in Sanskrit and all energy radiates our from there.
Hall type Mandirs - This style is more congregational and generally doesn't follow a scriptural design, but is more created by humans to meet the needs of the community. There is often no directin associated, and all the deities will be in shrines along the walls, and in particularly on one end. They are much more open than in Agamic temples, as is the worship. Individuals can often do their own abhishekham etc. These are the common Sanatani temples on North India, and often the priest doubles as pandit, giving a talk once a week or so. (Not the case in Agamic temples, where priest only have the duty of caring for the Gods presiding there). There is often congregational style worship with group singing and bhakti. Food can be served in the temple, or an adjacent hall. In general the rules aren't as strict, and these halls can host weddings, but not funerals.
Shrines - Shrines are established by individuals to honor visions, or places. India has thousands of roadside shrines. But they aren't temples in the sense that they're not open large spaces where community worship is held. What goes on there is determined by the individual. Often a volunteer is in charge, and there aren't such elaborate rituals by priests. Other than being outside somewhere, they aren't much different than the shrine found in every Hindu's home. (Many Hindus dedicate an entire room of the house to a shrine, but at least part of a room.)
So if newcomers or interfaith people trying to broaden their knowledge were to go to a Hindu temple, it would be good to know roughly the style you were going to.
