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temple worship

Fireside_Hindu

Jai Lakshmi Maa
Not sure about there, but my temple never offers prasad in the temple itself, but the prasad offered to the Gods is taken downstairs to the cultural hall, where devotees help themselves.

Monkey see, monkey do is a good idea I think. You could also ask the priest or a regular there.

Thank you for your reply. I think I will see if I can find another devotee to ask next time. I generally go very early so there are only a few busy volunteers about, but I'm sure they will be happy to answer my question.

:camp:
 

Vinayaka

devotee
Premium Member
find another devotee to ask next time.

:camp:

Ask about 20 devotees, and go with the majority. :) Even devotees will vary on what they think happens, as you probably already know. Some are just too immersed in bhakti to notice much at all. I've found that here and elsewhere, the whole idea of taking prasadam, in terms of the importance of it, varies a lot. Some think you simply can't go to a temple at all without receiving some sort of prasadam, while others hardly care at all.
 

Sb1995

Om Sai Ram
Now I'm guessing. There isn't much info there. Sri Lankan run, (as most in Toronto are) and most likely Smarta leaning towards Saiva/Shakta.

It's all fairly confusing, especially from a distance.

I agree, in my eyes they're all the same :shrug: Someone more wise like you will definitely know the difference. :bow:
 

Vinayaka

devotee
Premium Member
I agree, in my eyes they're all the same :shrug: Someone more wise like you will definitely know the difference. :bow:

The differences are subtle. You'd have to go for quite awhile, talk to priests, find out their training, see who runs it, and more. Even in the same village in Sri Lanka or South India, you will find differences in tradition. For example, the very existence of an Ayyappan shrine, a Shakti shrine, or a Vishnu shrine can say a lot. The only real commonality is Ganesha. he one I rust there the most to follow the tradition I follow is the Varasithi Vinayagar temple in Scarborough.
 

Fireside_Hindu

Jai Lakshmi Maa
Yet another question!

I've noticed at the temples I go to that in addition to the main murti of a given deity there are sometimes one or more smaller brass or bronze statues of the same god that sit nearby or at the murti's feet. Is there a function for these or are they gifts from devotees?

At my Lakshmi Temple, there seems to be an entire collection of mini-murtis, silver deepas and other ritual objects, that I have never seen used in any way, but remain within the sanctum (they are only removed during abhishekam).

Does anyone have an explanation for a nosy devotee? :D

:camp:
 

Vinayaka

devotee
Premium Member
Yet another question!

I've noticed at the temples I go to that in addition to the main murti of a given deity there are sometimes one or more smaller brass or bronze statues of the same god that sit nearby or at the murti's feet. Is there a function for these or are they gifts from devotees?

At my Lakshmi Temple, there seems to be an entire collection of mini-murtis, silver deepas and other ritual objects, that I have never seen used in any way, but remain within the sanctum (they are only removed during abhishekam).

Does anyone have an explanation for a nosy devotee? :D

:camp:

They`re for parades at festivals. Wait until the temple has a festival.
 
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