Mandir

The Gopuram of temples, in south India, are adorned with colourful icons depicting a particular story surrounding the temple's deity.

A Mandir is a Hindu temple. It is usually dedicated to a primary deity, called the presiding deity, and other deities associated with the main deity. In Western nations however, most mandirs are dedicated to multiple deities.

Most practising Hindus maintain a mandir in their homes for daily worship and meditation.

Prana Pratishta

Prana Pratishta is the ceremony to invoke the divine spirit-energy into the statue made in the god's form. Once this ceremony has been performed the murti, or 'image,' must be worshipped daily.

Elements of worship

Although the devotee is free to worship in any manner as long as it is respectful and not offensive, some common elements of worship in a mandir are darshan, puja, bhajan, pradakshina and prasad.

Mandir construction

There are two main styles of Hindu temple architecture: Naagara (Northern) and Dravida (Southern). Most major temples are constructed per the aagama shastras. The gopuram or distinctive temple tower is an integral element of most Hindu temples.

Basic norms to be followed in a mandir

File:Akshardhamindelhi.jpg

The Akshardham Hindu temple, Delhi

Most priests take elaborate measures to maintain mental and physical purity. While most devotees cannot maintain such regimens, there are some basic rules that must be followed:

• Footwear is not allowed inside.
• Feet should not be pointed toward the deities. Feet are preferably folded.
• Modest clothing should be worn. Many women and some men cover their heads as a sign of respect.
• One must not sit with back towards the sanctum sanctorum.
• Non-vegetarian foods, alcoholic beverages, tobacco and intoxicants should not be brought inside the temple. Garlic and onions should be avoided.
• Women should not enter the mandir in the first four days of their menstrual cycle.
• Smoking is not allowed.
• One must not enter the shrine or touch the deity without permission.

Management

In the most recent developments, the Archeological Survey of India has taken control of most ancient temples of archeological importance.

See also

• Katha, Aarti, Chalisa
• List of Hindu temples
• Wat
• Hinduism
• Hindu deities
• List of Hindu deities
• List of Hinduism-related articles
• History of India
• Hindu scriptures

External links

• Great Temples of Sri Vishnu
• Swaminarayan Akshardam, Delhi
• Temple Information, Pariharams, Poojas site.
• The construction of a Hindu Temple by Sri Nitin Kumar.
• Stuladarshanam - Hindu Temple Maps
• Hindu across North America.
• First Online Hindu Mandir
• [http://www.panchamukha.org/ Website of the Sri Viswaroopa

Panchamukha Hanuman Murthi]