Who am I?
What do I have around me?
While visiting me what are the Do's and Don'ts?
Where am I?
Do you know?
100
I am the residing place of bhagavAn. Many bhaktAH (devotees) visit me. Who am I?
अहं मन्दिरम् / देवालयः |
ahaM mandiram / devAlayaH |
Let us see what is a temple/mandiram
100
I welcome devotees coming in from all four directions through a gateway. This gateway is tall and is decorated with beautifully carved sculptures. It is the first structure anyone can see as they approach me. Can you guess what it is ?
गोपुरम् (gopuram)
100
When you visit me, what are 3 things you do first before entering me?
Step 1. Worship at the temple gateway (गोपुरम्)
Step 2. Remove shoes and rinse feet
Step 3. Worship at the flag pole (ध्वजस्तम्भः)
100
Otherwise called as "deva-bhUmiH", bhaktAH every year visit this place. Where is this place in bhAratam? Why is it called deva-bhUmiH?
It is also known in a different name. What is it?
Uttarakhand is known as "deva-bhUmiH". deva-bhUmiH means Land of Gods. It is called so due to the numerous Hindu temples and pilgrimage centers found throughout the state.
Chota Chardham is a set of four piligrimage places of India. It is believed that visiting these sites fills one with goodness.
Let us know a little bit more about these temples.
https://www.bookwidgets.com/play/4B3NN43
100
Can you name some famous temples and some interesting facts about them? Why are Temples unique?
Temples are primarily energy centers
Temples are located strategically where positive energy is abundantly available (Hill tops, River banks etc.)
There is a lot of science behind each temple structure
100
1. Why am I considered magnificient and glorious?
2. What are my different features?
1. The very science behind the construction of a temple including the unique architecture, intricately detailed sculptures, technically perfect construction, the channelling of positive devine energy flow into the surroundings and many other factors make me magnificient and glorious.
2.
a. शिखरम् / shikharam
b. मण्डपः / maNDapaH
c. गर्भालयः / garbhAlayaH
d. लघुमण्डपः / laghu maNDapaH
e. गोपुरम् / gopuram
100
I have a water body near me. Devotees take a dip in it before coming in. It has several steps to get in. What is this place ?
पुष्करिणी (puShkariNI)
100
Once you enter, name 3 things you do before reaching the garbhAlayaH (main temple sanctum) to have a darshanam (sight) of bhagavAn / vigrahaH?
Step 4. Pray first to gaNesha-devaH (गणेशः)
Step 5. Ring the shrine bell (घण्टा)
Step 6. Pray to the deities (देवताः)
100
What is the financial capital of bhAratam? There is a landmark temple there. Do you the know the name of that temple? Take a guess!
Mumbai is the financial capital of bhAratam. Siddhivinayaka mandiram is a very famous temple in Mumbai, Maharashtra.
https://www.bookwidgets.com/play/4B3UZ4J
100
Unique Traditions / Festivals
Jagannatha Puri Ratha Yatra, Odisha state
The world famous Jagannatha Puri Ratha Yatra is a majestic festival celebrated by devotees all over the India.
https://www.bookwidgets.com/play/2B8BX24
100
Have you visited me in Bharatam (India) or in USA?
Name a temple you visited. Who is the main bhagavAn (vigrahaH) of that temple?
Here are some famous temple in Bharatam
1. Vaishno devii mandiram 2. Golden temple 3. Somanatha mandiram 4. Siddhivinayaka mandiram 5. Sri Sai mandiram 6. Venkateshwara Balaji mandiram 7. Ramanathaswamy mandiram 8. Jagannatha mandiram 9. Mahabodhi 10. Kashi Vishwanatha mandiram 11. Kamakhya mandiram
100
It stands tall just infront of me facing the vigrahaH. It has a flag on its top. It can be seen from far away. What is it?
dhwajastambhaH (ध्वजस्तम्भः)
1. Temples have dhwajastambhaH per Agama shAstram
2. dhwajastambaH is a long pillar-like structure commonly seen with three horizontal perches arranged on its top - (flag - ध्वजः)
100
Now that you took a good look at the vigrahaH and did namaskAraH, what are a few things you do next?
Step 7. Walk around the sanctum - garbhAlayaH (गर्भालयः)
Step 8. Present your offerings - naivedyam (नैवेद्यम्)
Step 9. Sit for pUjA (पूजा)
Step 10. Receive AaratiH (आरतिः) blessing
100
This goddess is the goddess of time and is also called as jagadIshwarI. Who is this devI? A famous mandiram is dedicated for her in Bharatam. Where is it?
kAlii devI is the jagadIshwarI.
dakShiNeshwara mandiram is in Kolkota , West Bengal , India is the famous Kalii mandiram
100
Unique Traditions / Festivals
Tirumala Brahmotsavam, Tirupati
The annual brahmotsavam festival of Shri Venkateswara swamy is celebrated with pomp and religious festivities in Tirumala, Tirupat. It is celebrated annually in Sept-Oct.
Here are some additional information on this festival
100
1. In ancient times who built me?
2. In recent times who build me?
3. What are the aspects of temple construction?
1. In ancient times, Kings gave their wealth to build the temples. The sthapatiH (architect), shilpakArAH (sculptors), artisans and workmen together built the mandiram.
2. In recent times (now) the devotees in the community contribute money, physical service towards constructing the mandiram. The shilpakArAH (sculptors), artisans and workmen construct the temple.
3. sthapatiH, the architect for the temple construction and shilpakArAH (sculptors) play major role in the construction of a temple.
4. They follow the Agama shAstram (the rulebook of temple construction and conducting service to the temple vigrahaH)
100
I have a large open space to my east. bhaktAH (devotees) gather here for auspicious occasions. Presentation of various art forms like bhartanATyam, shAstriya-sangItam etc. happens there. Teaching of vedAH also happens there. What is this space ?
मण्डपः (maNDapaH)
100
While you stand infront of the vigrahaH as the pUjA ends, what does the priest give you?
11. Holy ash - vibhUtiH (विभूतिः)
12. Blessed water - tIrtham (तीर्थम्)
13. Sandalwood powder and kumkum - candanam & kunkumam (चन्दनम् & कुङ्कुमम्)
14. Prasad and flower - prasAdam & puShpam (प्रसादम् & पुष्पम्)
100
This is very important in our lives to have healthy skin and healthy bones. All creatures wake up when this shows up. What is it?
There is a temple dedicated to worship this in bhAratam. Name the mandiram.
1. sUryaH (The Sun)
2. Konark Mandiram
Ler us know more about this mandiram
100
Unique Traditions / Festivals
Navaratri-utsavaH , Arasuri Ambaji Temple, Gujarat
Arasuri Ambaji Temple, important religious landmarks, is one of the 51 Shaktipeeths (place of worship consecrated to the goddess Shakti or Sati).
https://www.bookwidgets.com/play/MB8PTMN
100
Why were so many of us built in bhAratam (India)?
mandiram was built in bhAratam for the wellbeing and spiritual growth of a person and also for the wellbeing of a community.
In a mandiram, the energies are brought in a vigrahaH by following the science of prANa-pratiShThA (the science of consecration) from which energy is constantly radiating. The mandiram is a doorway to experience this energy.
Paying visit to the mandiram is not only to get blessing but to get a calm and better mind set.
100
I even house a car near me. bhaktAH (devotees) decorate the car and carry the utsava vigrahaH (idol used during festivals) around the me and around the town on special fesivals. Do you know what it is called ?
रथः (rathaH)
100
Finally after taking the prasAdam, what could you possibly do?
Is there any relationship between mandiram and science?
15. Monetary offerings to run the temple
16. Singing bhajan - bhajanam (भजनम्)
17. Japa and meditation - japam & dhyAnam (जपम् & ध्यानम्)
18. Temple service - sevA (सेवा)
https://www.bookwidgets.com/play/YB3MBYP
Science in mandiram:
100
You would see a setu (bridge) in this place connected to neighboring country of Bharatam. Where is this mandiram?
This mandiram in Rameshwaram, Tamilnadu.
100
Unique Traditions / Festivals
Thrissur Pooram Festival, Kerala
The Thrissur Pooram festival of Kerala takes place in the month of April-May holds great attraction for its spectacular celebrations. Let us know more about this 200 year old festival.
https://www.bookwidgets.com/play/NB854NV