Hindu Temples: First Understanding

We have come to a land that is rich in religious history and practice. Hinduism is most prevalent. The scattered presence of Islam is seen by men wearing white skullcaps, women dressed in black burkas and mosques with their minarets from which the muezzin cries the summons to prayer. Occasionally, we will see Sikhs in their colorful turbans. Buddhist priests in their saffron robes have not been seen at all. Christian churches are common in Bangalore and plentiful in Goa. It is with Hindus, however, that we have the most contact. We have opted to let bite-sized pieces of understanding enter us as we pursue our adventure here.

Worship for Hindus is called “doing puja.” There is a trinity of main gods worshiped: Brahma, the creator of the universe; Vishnu, the preserver of life; and Shiva, the destroyer of evil and ignorance. Temples to Brahma are not seen, but Vishnu and Shiva temples abound. There are hundreds of lesser gods.

In Mangalore we stopped at a large Shiva temple built in remembrance of Sri Rajiv Gandhi, the son of Indira Gandhi, who, like his mother, was assassinated while in office. The temple grounds were very spacious with many buildings surrounding the main temple and a huge bull statue. We ventured barefooted into the temple with our driver Manjunatha and watched as he and others did their puja. We witnessed a great reverence as people stood before the idol of Shiva housed deep in the inner sanctum sanctorum, slowly waved their right hand over an open lamp flame and immediately moved this hand over their head to bring the purifying essence of the flame into their body. They offered a few rupees to the bare-chested priests who are the only ones who can pass into the inner sanctum sanctorum. The priests then gave worshipers a small spoonful of holy water in their right hand that the people sipped and then applied the remainder to their heads with the same reverence with which they applied the essences of the flame. Prayers are offered in silence. Fresh flowers, usually marigolds, are frequently offered as well.

Our own observance of puja is deep in our American roots where religious rituals were made relevant and familiar by childhood contact, then matured to adulthood belief. As Unitarian Universalists, we find ourselves fortunate to be exposed to a new religious source that can expand our own spiritual growth and understanding. May it be so. Amen.