Temple Worship And What We Should Do

This article has been contributed by Sri Holy Tree Balasubramaniar Temple's Mr A. Ganesan and it deals with what we should do before visiting a temple. The following need to be observed.

BEFORE VISITING A TEMPLE WE SHOULD:

Have the desire to visit the temple
- if we want Him, then we must seek Him with the greatest desire
- a temple visit is mere pretence if it is not motivated by Godly love
- we should immerse ourselves in Godly thoughts before visiting a temple
- try to go as a family in order that all may receive the Lord's blessings

Shower ourselves
- a bath refreshes the mind and re-invigorates the body
- the reinvigorated body helps the refreshed mind to temporarily overcome worldly concerns and
  unwholesome thought waves
- we are able to focus our minds better on the Lord Almighty

Wear clean clothes and dress up simply
- cleanliness leads to godliness
- simplicity gives us humility, whilst vanity breeds egoism which blinds us from God

Avoid clothes that are revealing or body-hugging
- such outfits distract others' concentration and shift their focus away from God

Wear traditional attire (wherever possible)
- western attire is not convenient for our ritualistic practices such as prostrating or sitting in
  meditative (yoga) posture
- to some extent, wearing traditional clothings also provides us the conservatism necessary to
  maintain mental discipline when we are within the temple precinct

Use religious emblems such as thiruneeru (holy ash) and kumkumam or sindooram
- religious emblems add more vibrance and meaning to the spirit of worship

Bring along a simple offering to the Lord (eg. fruits, flowers, incense, garlands)
- every single belonging we have in this life is given by Him through His kindness
- so when we visit our Lord, we should always remember to bring along a simple offering as an
  expression of our heartfelt love and gratitude for His kindness and grace
- we should remember, however, that it is not the material offriing but the love and faith underlying
  the offering that brings God closer to us.