Hindu Temples

On the way home from bathing, let us visit a temple. Already at this early hour it may be a busy place. The sounds of the little bells, which can be struck by the devotees as they come and go, mingle with the lowing of stray cows munching a heap of yesterday's discarded flowers. If it were Benares, monkeys would be chattering on the roof, and certainly from inside will come the chanting of the priests and the fragrance of incense. Those people on one side, sitting on mats on the ground are trying to meditate. But all the noise does not seem to bother them.
Approaching the steps we remove our shoes. Will there be room for us? We may have to push. Temples are of all sizes, from those large enough to admit only the priest and a few others, to huge colonnades. This one, being a village temple, is rather small . But many families have a shrine in the home itself, so no one feels obliged to go to a temple.
Before us is an altar, or shrine, as it is called, and in or upon it, an image or picture . Shrine and image may be elaborate or very simple. Hindus sometimes use the simplest geometric shapes to represent God -- a pillar, a round stone or a triangle. Their idea is that although God really dwells everywhere, He is gracious enough to make himself felt in special forms and in certain places. To make sure that God will dwell in their temple, the devotees appoint one or more priests to look after it and carry on its daily services. The priest will "keep house" for the Lord, treating the image as if it were a living presence. Of course he knows all the ancient hymns and rituals, for he is a brahmin, one whose family profession this is. But more important is his personal attitude -- how much he cares for the Deity. From before dawn, when he wakes him up" to the sound of music or a bell, through the many offerings of flowers and fruits and the waving of lights and incense going on now, to the closing of the gates at night, the priest attends his Lord just as he would a living king or queen. There is even a time for taking the image out for a drive, and for putting him to bed at night.
Like Mother and Father you will want to add your devotion to his, by bringing the Lord choice fruits or sweetmeats and by bowing before Him or Her, praying, and meditating on that special form of God living in that temple. In this way the villagers try to make Him feel welcome there and believe they will then receive His favour. Like devotees everywhere, they pray for many things: some for the cure of illness, some for more devotion, some for Enlightenment.