any advice for going to a temple

[MochaRadha]

First of all anyone know any temples in Minnesota
Second what are so does and donts besides no meat and dressing modestly

 

[zenzero]

Friend MochaRadha [stephanie],

Google offers the following:

Hindu Temple of Minnesota
www.hindumandirmn.org
4.5
15 Google reviews · Google+ page
10530 Troy Ln N
Maple Grove, MN, United States
+1 763-425-9449
Sri Venkateswara (Balaji) Hindu Temple
Sri Venkateswara (Balaji) Temple
4 Google reviews
7615 Metro Blvd
Edina, MN, United States
+1 952-835-2250
BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir
BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha - Home
Google+ page
2300 Freeway Blvd
Brooklyn Center, MN, United States
+1 763-278-2288
Tirupati City Online
Tirupati City Online | Just another WordPress site
Google+ page
1120 Town Centre Dr
Eagan, MN, United States

Am sure if you contact the temple authorities they will guide you on customs, code of conduct etc.
Best Wishes on your journey!

Love & rgds

 

[Vinayaka]

First of all anyone know any temples in Minnesota
Second what are so does and donts besides no meat and dressing modestly

I've been to the one mentioned, but generally you can find more if you search. Google maps, and the 'Search Nearby' function generally helps. As far as 'do's and don'ts, goes, what exactly do you have in mind? Here's an article on the first visit. https://www.hinduismtoday.com/modules/smartsection/item.php?itemid=464

 

[Pegg]

apparently if you are menstruating you are not allowed in a hindu temple.

I was just wondering what would happen if a woman did enter a temple during menstruation.... how would the priests in there even know??? Is there a log book where people have to answer yes or no before they can enter??

 

[Vinayaka]

Pegg, maybe you could ask a respectful question in a new thread in the Hindu DIR. This kind of irrelevant and off topic to where temples are in Minnesota.

 

[Pegg]

Pegg, maybe you could ask a respectful question in a new thread in the Hindu DIR. This kind of irrelevant and off topic to where temples are in Minnesota.

is the question not respectful?? It isnt' asked to be critical of the practice...but i am curious how anyone would know a woman is menstruating when mensturation is not outwardly visible.

 

[Vinayaka]

is the question not respectful??

It's off topic, needs a new thread to it's own, in my opinion. I'll answer if you do that.

 

[Pegg]

It's off topic, needs a new thread to it's own, in my opinion. I'll answer if you do that.

ok, will do.

 

[Vinayaka]

ok, will do.

Thanks.

 

[Aupmanyav]

Second what are so does and donts besides no meat and dressing modestly.

Thanks for no meat, that is a nice gesture. Dress modestly will perhaps be the only requirement as it is at most temples in India. Leave the shoes outside the temple hall. Bringing flowers or incense would be nice. Perhaps some Indian sweet made from milk, fruits. The priest will place it before a deity and return a part to you. That is deities blessing. Covering the head with a scarf would be a nice gesture too, showing respect. Some temples may require you to leave any leather item behind. You are going to the temple for the first time. No elaborate worship is necessary. Just get the feel.

 

[Vinayaka]

Thanks for no meat, that is a nice gesture. Dress modestly will perhaps be the only requirement as it is at most temples in India. Leave the shoes outside the temple hall. Bringing flowers or incense would be nice. Perhaps some Indian sweet made from milk, fruits. The priest will place it before a deity and return a part to you. That is deities blessing. Covering the head with a scarf would be a nice gesture too, showing respect. Some temples may require you to leave any leather item behind. You are going to the temple for the first time. No elaborate worship is necessary. Just get the feel.

I know you're just trying to be helpful, but since this particular temple is South Indian in style, so two of the things you mentioned don't apply ... the bringing of food offerings, and the scarf. All the rest makes sense.

 

[MochaRadha]

Thanks for no meat, that is a nice gesture. Dress modestly will perhaps be the only requirement as it is at most temples in India. Leave the shoes outside the temple hall. Bringing flowers or incense would be nice. Perhaps some Indian sweet made from milk, fruits. The priest will place it before a deity and return a part to you. That is deities blessing. Covering the head with a scarf would be a nice gesture too, showing respect. Some temples may require you to leave any leather item behind. You are going to the temple for the first time. No elaborate worship is necessary. Just get the feel.

Are only women expected to cover their heads or sure men too. Heat is the religious purpose behind it?

 

[Vinayaka]

Are only women expected to cover their heads or sure men too. Heat is the religious purpose behind it?

Not men. In Sikhism men do though.

 

[MochaRadha]

apparently if you are menstruating you are not allowed in a hindu temple.

I was just wondering what would happen if a woman did enter a temple during menstruation.... how would the priests in there even know??? Is there a log book where people have to answer yes or no before they can enter??

I must say forgive my ignorance please but I'm surprised to see someone of your faith on a non Christian section

 

[MochaRadha]

Not men. In Sikhism men do though.

Oh man hope there's no sexist reason behind that

 

[Poeticus]

Oh man hope there's no sexist reason behind that

You're operating under
different paradigms. To
view it as sexism and
evaluate it as sexist,
would be misleading.
​

But if you really want to know,
research the Purdah System and its origin.​

 

[MochaRadha]

You're operating under
different paradigms. To
view it as sexism and
evaluate it as sexist,
would be misleading.
​

But if you really want to know,
research the Purdah System and its origin.​

Ok then what is the purpose behind women wearing a veil?

 

[Poeticus]

Ok then what is the purpose behind women wearing a veil?

There is no purpose.​

It's a foreign implementation.​

 

[Vinayaka]

Oh man hope there's no sexist reason behind that

This was about wearing hats.

 

[ratikala]

namaskaram vinayaka ji :namaste

congratulations on the prompotion

I know you're just trying to be helpful, but since this particular temple is South Indian in style, so two of the things you mentioned don't apply ... the bringing of food offerings, and the scarf. All the rest makes sense.

do south Indian women not cover their heads ?




namaskaram Mocha Radha ji :namaste

although some temples might not require women to cover their heads it is a good measure if one is not wearing a sari to wear a chunni or dupatta , (the long scarf worn with trouser suits or skirt and long blouse) just becase it is polite to cover ones head and sholders , if one sudenly finds that all others are covering their heads it might feel uncomfortable even embarasing and as it can feel a little uncomfortable on the first visits it is nice to feel that one dosent stick out like an outsider ....so many times I have had to lend one to visitors as when one wants to go up close to the shrine for darshan , or participate in particular ceremonys or even receive the blessing of the preist or guru .... each temple will be different so it is a good measure to wear one just incase .

I would deffinately agree with bringing flowers or fruit as these can be offered , but dont take pre cooked food some temples might allow it but many would not quite know what to do with it , as many temples will only offer food (appart from fruits ) which have been prepaired by temple pujaris .

the question of menstration , ...many temples do admit women but it is a quietly observed tradition to sit towards the back on those days , ...aupmanyav ji is correct , it is concidered a time for women to take rest .

no one has mentioned yet that in many temples people will allways bow and pay pranamas before entering the temple , many will kneel and touch their forhead to the ground , and in many cases never turn ones back to the shrine ...

it is just good to observe ...

enjoy your visit :namaste