WHY WE SHOULD GO TO TEMPLE?

Temple is the focus for all aspects of everyday life in the community. Jagadguru K.K. Shankaracharya Swami wrote:"Our temples are not organised as places for meditation, nor for congregational worship. The purpose of temple is different. We enjoy the good things in life such as house, food,clothing, ornaments, music, dance, etc. We pay a tribute in the form of taxes to the king or to the government, for making it possible for us to enjoy them by giving us their protection and other facilities. We are bound to render our gratitude to God who has primarily given us the good things of life".  Hindus believe that their lives are merely stages in the progression to ultimate enlightenment. The temple is a place where it is believed that God may be approached and where divine knowledge can be discovered. All aspects of the temple - the principles of design and construction, the forms of its architecture and decoration, and the rituals performed - focus on the goal of enlightenment and liberation. And all of these are determined by ancient texts or shastras.

The temple is the place where  offerings are made on behalf of the collective community. Even if people do not go to the temple, it is enough if these offerings are made to God on behalf of the community. The duty of the people at the place is to see that these offerings are made in the proper manner.

Each of the five senses contribute to our joy in life. It is this offering of the objects of the five fold joys that is known as Panchopachaaraas to God, the offerings during puja namely Gandha (Fragrant sandalwood), Pushpa (flowers),  Dhoopa (incense), Deepa (lamps) and Naivaday (Food). If our organs of sense perceptions and their stimuli are reverentially offered to the Lord, then we shall not be inclined to misuse these sense organs. By such dedications to God, we deflect these from evil propensities and sublimate them to a divine goal.

Besides the requirements which are the minimum sources of material pleasure, there are other things which make for life`s comfort, like house, clothes, conveyance, etc. These too are to be used only after they are offered to God. All such offerings are inclined in what is known as Shodasopacharas(sixteen offerings). All these should also be offered to God and they are included in the 64 or Chatushti Upacharaas. 

There are hundreds of temples all over India in different size, shape and ocations but not all of them are considered to be in the Vedic way.

Generally, the temples are located in a place where earth's magnetic waves pass through. In simple terms, these temples are located strategically at a place where the positive energy is abundantly available from the magnetic wave distribution of north/ south pole thrust.

Because of its location, where high magnetic values are available, the Main Idol is placed in the center, and also because they place a copper plate written with some Vedic scripts, which is buried, beneath the Main Idol's placement known as "Garbhagriha" or Moolasthan, the copper absorbs the earths magnetic waves and radiates to the surroundings. Thus a person who regularly visits a temple and makes clockwise pradakshina of the Main Idol's placement, automatically receives the beamed magnetic waves which get absorbed by his body. This is very slow and a regular visit will make him absorb more energy, known as positive energy. 

In addition, the Sanctum Sanctorum is completely enclosed on three sides. The effect of all energies is very high in here. The lamp that is lit radiates the heat and light energy. The ringing of the bells and the chanting of prayers gives sound energy. The fragrance from the flowers, the burning of camphor give out chemical energy. The effect of all these energies is activated by the positive energy that comes out of the idol. This is in addition to the north/south pole magnetic energy that is absorbed by the copper plate and utensils that are kept in the Moolasthan. 

The water used for the Pooja is mixed with Cardamom, Benzoine, Holy Basil (Tulsi), Clove, etc is the "Theertham". This water becomes more energized because it receieves the positive-ness of all these energies combined. When persons go to the temple for Deepaaraadhana, and when the doors open up, the positive energy gushes out onto the persons who are there. The water that is sprinkled onto the people passes on the energy to all. That is the reason why, men are not allowed to wear shirts to the temple and ladies have to wear more ornaments because it is through these jewels (metal) that positive energy is absorbed in ladies. It is proved that Theertham is a very good blood purifier, as it is highly energized. 

In addition, temples offer holy water (about three spoons). This water is mainly a source of magneto therapy as they place the copper water vessel at the Garbhagriha. It also contains cardamom, clove, saffron, etc to add taste and Tulsi (holy Basil) leaves are put into the water to increase its medicinal value! The clove essence protects one from tooth decay, the saffron & Tulsi leave essence protects one from common cold and cough, cardamom and benzoine known as Pachha Karpuram, acts as a mouth refreshing agents. This way, one's health too is protected, by regularly visiting Temples!