Places of Worship
India
is a land of temples. The Hindu temple is a house of worship with unique features.
This is because it is symbolically designed in such a way that the place where
it is built, the manner of its construction and the rituals that are traditionally
enacted within it all have spiritual significance. All these aspects are so
formulated as to indicate the spiritual path a Hindu has to follow to achieve
self-realization, which is the ultimate goal of their existence.
Many of the main temples in ancient India were situated on the tops of mountains or hills. The paths to these temples were narrow and rugged and the pilgrims had to walk up the hill in single file; they had to face many difficulties before reaching the temple shrine. They carried with them fruit and flowers to offer to the Lord in the temple. What is the symbolic significance of these features?
The hilltop site
The high altitude signifies that spiritual development is above everything in this world and that to gain self-realization one needs to put in a great deal of effort. The high location also made the temple visible from all around. Nowadays the altitude aspect is overcome by having a high-domed construction.
The narrow, rugged path
There is a need for great effort, determination and single-mindedness if the pilgrim is to overcome the temptations and challenges that he comes across on his spiritual journey. Today roads and transportation have been improved to reach the temples and this age-old spiritual practice has been lost.
Carrying fruit and flowers to offer to the deities
The offering of fruit and flowers represents an expression of love and devotion which helps to unfold the inner self. An individual without any desires is fully liberated and has realized the self. The visit to the temple therefore signifies exhaustion of ones desires and realization of God.
The Living Hinduism CD-ROM covers all the above aspects in lot of detail, as well aspects related to: the purpose of temples; the symbols of a temple; and temple architecture.