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Can anyone worship in ISKCON Mandirs?
- Thread starter Onkara
- Start date
Gaura Priya
IRL
Not really... just come. As a regular at my local ISKCON temple, just take off your shoes, wear appropriate clothing, and go on the proper side.
Of course, do not bring meat, alcohol, cigarettes or marijuana.
Clap, dance, enjoy the kirtana, and when it comes to Krishna-prasada, do not be shy to ask for some more!
Hare Krishna!
Gaura Priya
IRL
Namasté Gaura Priya
I hadn't realised for some reason that you attend one.
Now that you've mentioned it, you can always wear something nice, like a silk dhoti and kurta if you have one.
You will notice generally two or three types of people in the temple room when you come. You will see the actual Gaudiya Vaishnava devotees and you can spot them from their Gaudiya tilaka and neckbeads. Then, you will also notice the general Indian populace who just come for the temple program. And you may get some interesting characters who come for the food.
Of course, every temple in every city differs. Some have become more generalised Hindu these days, and others still retain Gaudiya Vaishnava teachings.
You will also notice that when the devotees bow down before their guru, Srila Prabhupada (their may be a murti in the temple of him), and then to the main Deities on the altar, the men usually give full 'dandavat pranams' by extending the whole body on the floor in prostration with one's left side towards the Deities, instead of completely in front of them.
And of course, enjoy. The Krishna-prasadam there is not bad either, lol.
~*~*~*~*~*~*
Aside from Sunday Feasts, generally the bigger ISKCON temples will have darshana times every day, and are generally open at 4:30am or so for mangala-arati until about 8:30pm. So if you just want to have darshana of their Deities, the temple or temple website should have times for darshana.
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Anyone can go and you don't have to dress up.
Gaura Priya
IRL
I hope you're not suggesting that he comes in his kaupina! :cover:
A kaupina only covers the front!?
I wouldn't object to wearing a dhoti. This is a beautiful one.
:: Dhoti - ready to wear :: - on Rudraksh Ratna-Rudraksha necklace,Yantra,Malas,Hindu Meditation Items
I am surprised that silk is used considering that the silk caterpillars have to be killed (boiled) to yield the silk thread. Though of course, we do use leather.
I wouldn't object to wearing a dhoti. This is a beautiful one.
:: Dhoti - ready to wear :: - on Rudraksh Ratna-Rudraksha necklace,Yantra,Malas,Hindu Meditation Items
I am surprised that silk is used considering that the silk caterpillars have to be killed (boiled) to yield the silk thread. Though of course, we do use leather.
Gaura Priya
IRL
A kaupina only covers the front!?
I wouldn't object to wearing a dhoti. This is a beautiful one.
:: Dhoti - ready to wear :: - on Rudraksh Ratna-Rudraksha necklace,Yantra,Malas,Hindu Meditation Items
I am surprised that silk is used considering that the silk caterpillars have to be killed (boiled) to yield the silk thread. Though of course, we do use leather.
Well, for formal temple wear, cotton is most comfortable and useful. Plus, you can wear OM t-shirts and the like and a cotton dhoti and look casual.
Although the 'ready-folded' dhotis to me are as cheesy as the already-made saris that are pretty much just slip ons, lol.
Although in an ISKCON temple, try to avoid orangey dhotis... they may think that you're a renunciate brahmachari with that colour.
http://www.rudraksha-ratna.com/dispProduct.php?white-silk-dhoti&prodId=1196
I like the white one! And silk is nice with traditional, really formal kurtas, sherwanis, and whatnot.
LOL, I guess they will have to make new kaupinas with backside covers. The Sikhs have to wear their kacchera all the time, which resemble more or less boxers.
Cool!
True, lazy is as lazy does.
Hmm... didn't think of the orange thing. I do like white. I like yellow too, as it was Sri Krishna's color.
Gaura Priya
IRL
Not true... I mean, my ex-boyfriend wears short-sleeved kurtas when coming to the temple. Coloured cottons, especially when it gets hot, and long-sleeved silk kurtas for special occasion.
I've never read anything about men having to cover up their arms, lol.
One more thing: One size of dhoti, literally does fit all. That is also the same with a sari, lol.
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I read somewhere that to go "topless" is allowed only if you wear a sacred thread.
Gaura Priya
IRL
*shrugs*
Men go topless all the time, from what I've seen in pictures of India, lol.
I know... who comes up with some of this stuff? Though it was referring to shirtless in mandir.
I occasionally attend a Kirtan group at an ISKCON meeting place.
They've always been down with me being there, even after saying most of my dharma experience has been through teachings of Gautama Buddha, they were happy to have me sit and rejoice with them.
They've always been down with me being there, even after saying most of my dharma experience has been through teachings of Gautama Buddha, they were happy to have me sit and rejoice with them.
Chewbarker1054
Member
I think one of the main reason men go topless in India is the heat and probably a chance to that they are wearing the tilak marks on their body. In know certain people will wear certain colours when the go to the temple to worship the deity.
Ardhanariswar
I'm back!
To be honest, its what you're comfortable with.
I've always held the belief that if you don't follow that specific swami, or even don't know who they are and what they're about, then you have no business being in a place dedicated to that swami. Unless of course you go with the intention to learn or experience what that swami preached.
I went to an ISKCON temple in Bangalore a few years ago, when I was a practicing Hindu. It's a very nice temple, the architecture was amazing, and the paintings were very beautiful. But I was slightly uncomfortable with the touristy nature of it.
I recently went to a Swaminarayan temple in Delhi called Akshardam. It's similar to the ISKCON one, but taken a step further with the whole theme park addition. I understand they need to make money, but the whole 'exit through the gift shop' makes them seem a little desperate.
I should add, I had no ideas that these "temples" were dedicated to swamis and their philosophies before I visited them. Quite the surprise.
As for the dress code, try to gauge how others dress around you. India has been influenced heavily by western standards of modesty, it's terribly ironic. Bare-arms? Top-less men? Just have a look at the sculptures at a traditional Hindu temple. That's if you can get past all the erotic posing.
I've always held the belief that if you don't follow that specific swami, or even don't know who they are and what they're about, then you have no business being in a place dedicated to that swami. Unless of course you go with the intention to learn or experience what that swami preached.
I went to an ISKCON temple in Bangalore a few years ago, when I was a practicing Hindu. It's a very nice temple, the architecture was amazing, and the paintings were very beautiful. But I was slightly uncomfortable with the touristy nature of it.
I recently went to a Swaminarayan temple in Delhi called Akshardam. It's similar to the ISKCON one, but taken a step further with the whole theme park addition. I understand they need to make money, but the whole 'exit through the gift shop' makes them seem a little desperate.
I should add, I had no ideas that these "temples" were dedicated to swamis and their philosophies before I visited them. Quite the surprise.
As for the dress code, try to gauge how others dress around you. India has been influenced heavily by western standards of modesty, it's terribly ironic. Bare-arms? Top-less men? Just have a look at the sculptures at a traditional Hindu temple. That's if you can get past all the erotic posing.
lovebabaji
New Member
I hadn't realised for some reason that you attend one. I have never been but have considered visiting it, so that is encouraging, thanks!
Aupmanyav
Be your own guru
Well, I think dhoti is not necessary anywhere for a casual visitor. Even Indians everywhere go to temples in Western dress. Leave dhoti for a time when you have become familiar with it. For Indian climes, it is a wonderful airy dress. ISKCON temples are very welcoming.