Temples

[Yaruki]

Ive never been to one but I want to go. The problem is that I have this anxiety/fear thing toward the unknown. Its hard to explain but several times ive told my self "ok this time im going to visit the temple" but then dont.
I guess one of the main things is not knowing anyone there and not knowning what to do. Ive heard you take your shoes off, but where do you put your shoes? stuff like that.
This is the temple near my house.
http://www.hindutempleaz.org/

[sm78]

Everything is a bit nerve racking to do and experience for the first time. Try to visit taking your anxieties with you, for it is unlikely you can leave them at home. Do what common sense tells you to do, common sense like keeping the shoes where other visitors are keeping theirs or simply asking someone at the temple.

[Agnideva]

Namaste Yaruki,

Just do it!

If you visit temple during the weekend, it will be more busy, and you can then see what others are doing. Generally, there's an outer room at the entrance where shoes are kept. Chances are no one will ask you anything. And if someone approaches you, then they are very eager to tell you about the temple, the Deities, etc.

The first time might feel a little strange because temple is not like a church. If you go when a lot of people are there, it may even be chaotic and noisy. Generally people come in, perform individual worship/prayer, or ask the priest to perform a short puja for them, and then leave. If the priest is performing a puja on someone else's behalf, you can also join in, and receive the aarti (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arati) and holy water. On special holidays, people may gather to participate in group puja.

And don't be surprised if people stare at you (it's not considered impolite to stare at others in Indian culture). If they stare at you, just smile and they will stop! :)

If you go first time when it's more busy, you will know the conventions and next time you can go when it's more peaceful.

Another rule of thumb: always use your right hand for everything, and if using both hands, place the right hand over the left. Left hand is considered the "dirty" hand in most Asian cultures.

OM Shanti,
A.

[KiranDev]

Namaste Yaruki,
I felt the same way when I first entered a temple in Sacramento almost 9 years ago. What I found was a community ready to welcome me and teach me the ways of devotion. Of course there were children staring at the white man in their midst but the look was one of curiosity and friendlieness. Later, I thought about what a great lesson for these kids - that the Sanatana Dharma was something for everyone, that both they and their faith are welcome in our country (its theirs too). Making those first steps into the temple (after months of reading and soul searching), was one of the best decisions of my life.

Are you nervous because you are not of Indian descent? So was I. Our souls have no nationality, regardless of the body we are currently wearing. I'm sure the people you find in the temple will welcome you with open arms.

Ironically, I'll be moving to Arizona in a little over a year and I hope to see you at this temple. Please let us know how it goes.

OM shanti,

Kiran

[satay]

namaskar,

Like Agni says, Yaruki, just do it!

In our local temple, there are many 'locals' from different backgrounds that visit the temple, participate in puja and everything. There are also some sikh families with their traditional turban gear and everything that attend.

In fact, our temple priest is married to a 'local'. His wife and kids are always there doing all the things a priest's wife and kids do in a temple i.e. offer their seva. And people respect her the same way as they would an indian hindu priest's wife, in fact, perhaps even more...

Normal steps as you enter the temple are:
- take off your shoes (there is a separate room usually just outside the puja room) or if there isn't just leave your shoes with the hundreds others that you spot.

- wash your hands, normally there is a restroom right beside the shoes room or a place to wash your hands

- enter the puja room , normally people have their hands closed as the walk in, I sometimes do, sometimes don't or sometimes I can't becacuse my daughter holds my one hand.

- when you enter the puja room, you will see that men are sitting to one side and women to the other and there is a pathway in the middle, normally covered with a piece of red material or white that leads you directly to the center of the main murthi of the puja room.

- there might be several murthis spread around the puja room and you will notice that the priest is usually sitting in the front (depends on the time of your entrance) or walking around lighting the diyas in front of murthis.

- you can choose to go all the way to the center murthi by walking on the path in the middle of the room or you can just simply choose to acknowledge them from by the door and just sit with the people of your gender. Then while sitting you just observe what's going on, how people come in the room, what do they do, etc. then the next time you visit you can do the same as they do.

- there are no 'benches' to sit on as they have in a church, you have to sit on the floor. most people sit in a cross legged position but sit in a position that is comfortable to you but never with your feet and legs exteneded towards the murthis! When a few of my christians friends came to visit the temple they sat on the chairs in the back for a while because they couldn't sit long on the floor. They kept switching, sitting on the floor with me and sitting on the chairs. :)These chairs in the back are for the elderly or for those who can't sit on the floor. You won't be sitting on bare floor, there will be carpet and white clothes covering the carpet.

- go there on a sunday when it is the busiest and around 11 am or check the time of puja of your temple. try to sit close to the front so that you can observe properly.

- people will probably stare, not to worry, they stare at everyone including us indians. It is a common habbit of indian culture to 'stare' but as agni suggested, just smile and they will smile back but there might be some that will not stop stairing...well, just ignore them and observe what's happening at the front.

- also, there might be someone that will approach you and ask a question like what's your name, or say something like, "first time in temple?" they are just trying to be friends and help you with any questions. there is no preaching or convincing of converting people etc.

- it could also be that there will not be anyone that approches you, or people just ignore you and mind their own business, this is also normal. in this case, you can just observe what's going on in the temple and mind your own business too.

-most temples are like a social place in that after the puja people hang out and chit chat and some just take off right away.

- there is usually a lunch for all, hosted by a family. After the puja, they might approach you and request you to join in the lunch (usually the lunch room is downstairs in canadian temples). you can choose to join in the lunch or not. it's up to you.

go there this sunday...

tell us how your visit went...

going to temple is a great spiritual experience, you feel the positive engery and vibe in the puja room. it is really amazing. (actually, i felt the same in a church too so how about that) I suppose people are at their best and their hearts light up with calmness etc. :)

[Kaos]

Ive never been to one but I want to go. The problem is that I have this anxiety/fear thing toward the unknown. Its hard to explain but several times ive told my self "ok this time im going to visit the temple" but then dont.
I guess one of the main things is not knowing anyone there and not knowning what to do. Ive heard you take your shoes off, but where do you put your shoes? stuff like that.
This is the temple near my house.
http://www.hindutempleaz.org/


Namaste Yaruki,

Since the temple is near your house, why not pay it a visit? You can join them as a guest and observe them during puja. I assure you, they don't bite. :)

Don't let the anxiety and fear "of the unknown" stop you.
After all, in this world of illusions, there is nothing to cling on to.

I was probably around the same age as you, when I joined as a guest, congregational chanting (sankirtan) of the Hare Krishna Maha Mantra.
At the age of 14, I didn't know very much about what I was chanting or why I was chanting it. I just enjoyed and liked taking part in it.

So go ahead, and visit the temple and tell us about it. It will be a unique spiritual experience.

[Agnideva]

Namaste Yaruki,

You can also read about Visiting a Hindu Temple (http://www.hinduismtoday.com/archives/2004/10-12/41-48_hindu_temple.shtml) from the Hinduism Today magazine.

OM Shanti,
A.

[Eastern Mind]

Yaruki, I do hope you made it to the temple. For most Hindus, the temple is more or less integral. Not all though. I live by "Never lose the opportunity to enter a Hindu temple". Whenever my wife and I travel, I am always on the lookout, and you do find them in the most unexpected places sometimes. A few years back, I was in Toronto and probably went to 7 or 8 different ones. (Now there are probably 50!) It is always a sense of 'kindred spirit' no matter what the sect, size, sampradaya, architecture, puja style etc. There is nothing to fear at all. After awhile you get used to being white. Here I am an elder devotee at the temple I volunteer at so I don't even think the 'regulars' notice my skin color.
Aum namashivaya

[saidevo]

A Golden Temple for Goddess Mahalakshmi



One of the biggest Hindu shrines in southern India, the Sri Puram Golden Temple a grand golden temple built by a spiritual organization in Tamil Nadu at an approximate cost of Rs 600 crore, the consecration (kumbhabhishekam) was performed on August 24, 2007, presence of over 30,000 devotees.

The Mahalakshmi temple, located on a sprawling 100 acres of land at Sripuram, near Vellore, about 125 km from Chennai, has been constructed by Vellore-based Sri Narayani Peetam, headed by spiritual leader Sri Sakthi Amma.

"The Taj Mahal was built as an expression of love for a single person but the Sri Puram Golden Temple stands for unconditional love for the entire humanity," says Amma, 31, who also goes by the name of Shakti Siddha.

"We know it is also the sign of the universal goddess - Lakshmi," says William, who gives only one name and says he is of Canadian origin.

The steps that lead to the innermost section are laid with polished black and grey granite from the neighbouring South Arcot and Dharmapuri districts. A cubic metre of black granite is priced at 0. So is the grey stone called "Paradiso" because of its wavy patterns of violet with the colour of iron. And this too has been used in large quantities.

"If we had built a hospital, factory, educational institution or a business, it would have ended up serving a small community. But now, Amma's temple will sow the seeds of goodness in the hearts of everyone who visits here," Amma, clad in ochre robes, says in Tamil.

The temple, covering 55,000 sq ft area, has intricate carvings and sculptures in gold. Except the walking path, the entire structure has been made of gold and copper. This would be more grandeur than the Golden Temple in Amritsar , mutt sources said.

About 400 goldsmiths and coppersmiths, including craftsmen from Tirumala-Tirupati Devasthanams, have completed the architectural marvel in gold in six years..

More than one and half tone of pure gold was glitter and gleam under the sun, Devotees hail the temple as 'one of the wonders of the world' and say that it is the only temple covered fully with gold.

According to official sources, the gold bars were purchased through RBI in "a transparent manner." First the coppersmiths set to work creating a copper base on the temple structure with engravings and etchings before the gold, beaten into nine layers of foils, was draped around it.

The sanctum sanctorum will hold the deity of Mahalakshmi made of stone granite, but covered with gold kavacham (adornments).

"The Sripuram or Spiritual Park is Amma's dedication to the world and mankind," said P Murali, a trustee of the Peetam.

The temple has been designed in such a way that visitors can reach the golden temple only after going through a star-shaped pathway, which has the quotes from Gita, Bible and Quran displayed on either side.

Surrounded by mountains and lush and scenic beauty, the temple, entirely conceived and designed by 'Amma', would be open to people of all religions. "The temple is Amma's gift to mankind," the sources said.

"When one enters the Sripuram, their focus is just on the magnificent temple. But when they leave, they cannot do so without taking some messages and gaining some wisdom," according to a booklet detailing the 'services' rendered by the Peetam. "In this quagmire of materialism, Sripuram rises as an inspiration to man to find the divinity within him," adds a brochure.

Murali said arrangements were being made to hire personnel to throw a security cover around the temple. "But the gold sheets have been laid out in such a manner that it would cost more to rip it off than purchase the gold," said a top Vellore district official.


Ironically, this important news item is covered in detail only at http://modernbarbarian.blogspot.com/2007/10/golden-temple-near-vellore.html . This Website also has beautiful pictures of the golden temple.

[Eastern Mind]

I love the way that Hinduism can hide its glory from the west. In the west the archaeologists and their ilk make such a fuss over Egyptian pyramids, and anything else close to Europe, like Roman or Greek ruins, or Stonehenge. All from long gone cultures. They think that some carved faces of US presidents on a mountain, out of sandstone are so special and unique.
Then in India there are huge temples entirely carved of stone, entire chunks of heavy heavy granite sitting atop other huge chunks, stone windows, stone chains, magical musical pillars all coming down throughout history from Agamic texts, which originated obviously from very tuned in minds. Statues carved from single rubies, entire temples covered in gold. Within the context of a living vibrant culture.
And the west doesn't even notice, and I'm glad. We are indeed blessed. Aum Namasivaya

[c.smith]

It's great to finally see this information all presented here. It's truly what I needed when I began my encounters some time ago. Guess I didn't know which questions to ask to get the goldmine you got here. Please - for those of you that posted - please post more!!! IE: it took me some time before I was comfortable ringing the bell upon entry.

Of great comfort is that the Temple experience is just for you and your deity. Yes, observe the traditions and gestures as best you can, get to know people when possible, but above all know that it is YOUR experience and that your heart will guide you in the right direction and to the right people. (Or in my case to even the right deity.)

So yes, if you haven't already, GO!

[Arvind Sivaraman]

Ive never been to one but I want to go. The problem is that I have this anxiety/fear thing toward the unknown. Its hard to explain but several times ive told my self "ok this time im going to visit the temple" but then dont.
I guess one of the main things is not knowing anyone there and not knowning what to do. Ive heard you take your shoes off, but where do you put your shoes? stuff like that.
This is the temple near my house.
http://www.hindutempleaz.org/


Om Shirdi Sai Ram.
Namaste Yaruki.
1)First , identify which lord you are interested in offering your prayers.
The reason is, you will have some element of motivation and energy within to go to the temple and offer your prayers.
2)When you have a single pointed attention in offering your prayers to the Lord Almighty,it really does not matter whether you know anyone or not.
Before going to the temple you may enquire with some one who has already visited the temple as to what to do.Alternatively you may ask the priest.
3)Since the temple is near to your house,do not wear shoes and go to the temple.(You may leave the shoes in your house).

[saidevo]

Namaste C.Smith.



It's great to finally see this information all presented here. It's truly what I needed when I began my encounters some time ago. Guess I didn't know which questions to ask to get the goldmine you got here. Please - for those of you that posted - please post more!!! IE: it took me some time before I was comfortable ringing the bell upon entry.


1. I hope you read the news story about the beautiful Swaminarayan temple recently opened in Canada, posted in HDF by Satay, here: http://www.hindudharmaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1721&highlight=canada

2. I have posted a number of Website links to Hindu temples here:
http://www.hindudharmaforums.com/showpost.php?p=6618&postcount=5

3. This unique post in HDF by 'vainq' illustrates the power of prayer:
http://www.hindudharmaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1850&highlight=Prayers+Powerful

Here is more such news about temple and religious congregations:

1. Kauai monastery builds Hindu temple to last 1000 years
http://www.timesanddemocrat.com/articles/2007/06/28/features/doc46845b8072ffa474088175.txt

WAILUA, Hawaii - In a clearing within Kauai Aadheenam's lush gardens, the ping, ping, pinging of metal chipping at stone can be heard over the sounds of bird calls. A half-dozen artisans from South India put the finishing flourishes on the Hindu monastery's legacy for the ages.

Hand-carved in granite and shipped in pieces to the island from India, the Iraivan Temple is faithful to the precise design formulas defined by South Indian temple builders a thousand years ago. The $8-million temple to the god Shiva is the first all-stone Hindu temple outside of India, according to the Kauai monks. The project is a rarity even in India...

2. 30 Muslim Kanwarias offered holy water at Ujjain temple
http://www.dailyindia.com/show/165053.php/30-Muslim-Kanwarias-offered-holy-water-at-Ujjain-temple

Indore, Aug 12: As lakhs of Kanwarias, the Lord Shiva devotees, offered the holy water of River Ganges at Shiva temples in their hometowns in north India, a group of Muslims in Madhya Pradesh also offered the holy water at the Ujjain Mahakaleshwar Temple.

The group comprising 30 Muslims covered a distance of 80 kilometres from Sirpur to the Ujjain Mahakaleshwar Temple, on foot. They were accompanied by 1,200 other Hindu devotees carrying "Kanwars" or, the pots balancing on a bamboo pole to the temple. Clad in saffron dresses, just like other Hindu brethrens, these devotees known as "Kanwarias" or, the carriers of "Kanwars", kept singing hymns and shouting "Bol Bum" in the praise of Lord Shiva.

Everyone stayed on a vegetarian diet and followed strict religious guidelines through out their pilgrimage.

Abdul Ismail Chishti, a Muslim devotee, said: "This Kanwar pilgrimage has been going out of this city for the last ten years. There are about 30 to 35 Muslims who participate in this annual pilgrimage. Nobody can differentiate (between the Hindus and the Muslims) since everyone participates with equal religious fervour. All of them greet the pilgrimage with brotherhood and peace,"

3. Muslim couple to visit 101 temples
http://www.organiser.org/dynamic/modules.php?name=Content&pa=showpage&pid=198&page=15%27

A Muslim couple has collected holy water from the Ganga in Haridwar and taken an oath to cover 101 temples along the Kanwaria route before offering it to Lord Shiva at Gauri-Shankar temple in Delhi. Abdul Rehman Khan, 42, and his wife Fatima, who started out for Neelkanth along with other Kanwarias, offered prayers at Laxmi Narain temple in this town of Ghaziabad district on NH-58. “I have full faith in Lord Shiva as He has blessed me with two sons and I want to fulfill my wish of completing the journey in His service,” Khan said. Fatima added with pride, “Of course we are Kanwarias!”

4. Hindu temple to draw crowd
http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?s_hidethis=no&p_product=AT&p_theme=at&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&s_dispstring=hindu%20temple&p_field_advanced-0=&p_text_advanced-0=(hindu%20temple)&xcal_numdocs=20&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&xcal_useweights=no

Religious chanting wafts through the sparse line of trees that separates the D ickens Trail neighborhood in Lilburn from one of the largest Hindu temples in the United States.

The seven-story wedding cake of a structure, with its lace-carved spires and arches of shimmering white limestone, dwarfs the neighborhood's modest frame houses.

"They've been singing since Friday [a week ago]," said Cathy McCollister.

"I think it's pretty cool," said McCollister, who has lived in the neighborhood 28 years.

At the corner of Rockbridge Road and Lawrenceville Highway among Lilburn's strip malls, the 30,535 square foot temple evokes India's iconic treasure, the Taj Mahal.

"I'd rather there be a temple over there than a shopping center or a filling station," McCollister said.
...

Tens of thousands of Hindus from all over the U.S. are expected Sunday to hear the sect's guru, His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj, bless the $19 million structure. The guru arrived from New Jersey last week by chartered plane and Rolls Royce.

Thousands of visitors have arrived in recent days. Women in brilliant pink, yellow and orange saris climbed the broad white steps of Turkish limestone to the temple. Children ran around the reflecting pool.

Building a temple requires attention to a million details. Laborers were brought from India. Volunteers gave an estimated 1.3 million construction hours.

In the last three weeks, more than 900 volunteers have worked virtually around the clock tending to last minute details. Carved swans appeared in the reflecting pool this week. Mexican workers were still busy with the air conditioning.

Throughout, temple builders have not neglected the neighborhood.

At Christmas, during construction, people from the temple distributed candy door to door.

"I thought it was awfully nice," said Joyce Russell, 57. "Very forthcoming."
...

The Lilburn temple will focus on youth programs, including lessons on traditional Indian drums and Gujarati (the language of Gandhi, spoken by 46 million people), said spokesman Mitesh Patel. If there's demand, the temple may add yoga classes, he said.
...
The new temple is the largest BAPS temple in the United States, ahead of structures in Houston and Chicago. It's larger than the traditional Hindu temple in Clayton County.

The Lilburn temple is 74 feet high and boasts 34,671 stones. Red and white flags signifying the triumph of good over evil will fly from its pinnacles.
...

"The temple encompasses all that is Hinduism," said Patel. "Tolerance, peace, love, and peaceful coexistence."
...

The holy man arrived Thursday in a Rolls Royce covered with flowers. Lilburn Mayor Jack Bolton presented him the key to the city and received a blessing for the city.

Police, hired by the temple, have directed traffic on and off on Rockbridge Road, at the temple entrance, as pedestrians cross the street.

5. Christians in this Indian village still frequent Hindu temples
http://mangalorean.com/news.php?newstype=local&newsid=50991%27

Does conversion to a new religion change caste equations in India? Do social customs and traditions change with religious conversion? Or do Indians continue with their Hindu customs and traditions despite conversions?
...

Fathom this: Tony Fernandes' forefathers converted to Christianity in the 16th century but the 48-year-old Fernandes still carries on the practice of visiting the Hindu temples and seeking blessings from his village Deity -- Shri Shantadurga Kunkolkarin. The practice is in conflict with the Catholic Church, which comes down heavily on idol worship and demands loyalty to only one god.

Fernandes is not alone. Hundreds of his fellow villagers, following the customs of their forefathers, regularly visit the Hindu temples to evoke the blessing of their village Deity -- despite conversions.

But there is a broader spectrum to Fernandes and his fellow villagers' fling with Hindu beliefs.

Fernandes hails from a village that boasts a unique history. Tales of bravery and the valor of the people of Cuncolim, a small village in Goa, are recounted many times when the state experiences injustice.

The residents of Cuncolim tried to ward off Portuguese missionaries who were propagating forceful conversion to Christianity in 1583.
...
Shri Shantadurga temple at Fatorpa

The efforts of the Portuguese to force mass conversion on the residents and to desecrate the temples resulted in the shifting of the village Deity from Cuncolim to Fatorpa.

One of the traditions that the Christian converts from the village take part in together with their Hindu brothers is the festival of umbrellas (locally called Gulalustav -- festival of colors), also known as the Sontreo (umbrella) procession. It is a pompous occasion with great significance for the local residents.

The festival falls on Panchami day in the month of Phalguna on the Hindu calendar, which usually comes in the month of March. This day has an added meaning to the devotees, who commemorate the return of the deity from Fatorpa to Cuncolim in a festival spirit. The Deity is brought back along the same route it was moved to Fatorpa.

Young men of the village brave the heat to complete the five-kilometer procession in the company of the deity. The procession consists mostly of men who wear traditional headgear and color their bodies with dye and whatnot. The procession begins at noon and reaches Cuncolim at around 3 p.m.
...

The traditional procession was forbidden by the Portuguese government at the request of then-patriarch Antonio Sebastiao Valent of the Roman Catholic Church. The ban was subsequently lifted in 1910 after the Portuguese republic was set up.

6. Krishna Animated Movie

This movie file Krishna_Animated_2006_BBRG_NEW.rm (dl)(68.5 MB) can be downloaded here:

http://www.archive.org/details/krishna-animated

You can play the movie using the Real Player.

Rich in graphics, narration, music and good in characterization!

[saidevo]

10 Most Amazing Temples in the World

Tiger’s Nest Monastery, perched precariously on the edge of a 3,000-feet-high cliff in Paro Valley, is one of the holiest places in Bhutan. Legend has it that Guru Rinpoche, the second Buddha, flew onto the cliff on the back of a tigress, and then meditated in a cave which now exists within the monastery walls.

Wat Rong Khun, in Chiang Rai, Thailand is unlike any Buddhist temples in the world. The all-white, highly ornate structure gilded in mosaic mirrors that seem to shine magically, is done in a distinctly contemporary style. It is the brainchild of renowned Thai artist Chalermchai Kositpipat.

Prambanan, is a Hindu temple in Central Java, Indonesia. The temple was built in 850 CE, and is composed of 8 main shrines and 250 surrounding smaller ones.

Nearly all the walls of the temple are covered in exquisite bas relief carvings, which narrate stories of Vishnu’s incarnations, adventures of Hanuman the Monkey King, the Ramayana epic and other legends.

Shwedagon Pagoda - No one knows exactly when the Shwedagon Paya [wiki] (or Pagoda) in Myanmar was built - legend has it that it is 2,500 years old though archaeologists estimate that it was built between the 6th and 10th century.

Now, when people say "golden temple" they usually mean that the structure is golden in color. But when it comes to the Shwedagon Pagoda, golden literally means covered in gold! In the 15th century, a queen of the Mon people donated her weight in gold to the temple. This tradition continues until today, where pilgrims often save for years to buy small packets of gold leafs to stick to the temple walls.

As if all that gold wasn’t enough, the spire of the stupa or dome is covered with over 5,000 diamonds and 2,000 rubies (there’s even a 76 carat diamond at the very tip!). And oh, the temple housed one of the holiest relics in Buddhism: eight strands of Buddha’s hair.

Temple of Heaven is a Taoist temple in Beijing, the capital of China. The temple was constructed in 14th century by Emperor Yongle of the Ming Dynasty (who also built the Forbidden City) as his personal temple, where he would pray for good harvest and to atone for the sins of his people.

The Temple’s architecture is quite interesting: everything in the temple, which represents Heaven, is circular whereas the ground levels, which represent the Earth, are square.

Chion-in Temple was built in 1234 CE to honor the founder of Jodo (Pure Land) Buddhism, a priest named Honen, who fasted to death in the very spot. At one point in time, the complex had 21 buildings but due to earthquakes and fire, the oldest surviving building is from the 17th century.

Visitors to the Chion-in Temple must first pass through the largest gate in Japan: the two-story San-mon Gate. The temple bell is also a record setter: it weighs 74 tons and needs 17 monks to ring it during the New Year celebrations.

Another interesting feature of the Chion-in Temple is the "singing" floor of the Assembly Hall. Called a uguisu-bari or nightingale floor, the wooden planks were designed to creak at every footstep to alert the monks of intruders!

Borobudur - In the 19th century, Dutch occupiers of Indonesia found a massive ancient ruin deep in the jungles of Java. What they discovered was the complex of Borobudur, a gigantic structure built with nearly 2 million cubic feet (55,000 m³) of stones. The temple has nearly 2,700 relief panels and 504 Buddha statues.

Until today, no one knows for sure when and why it was built, nor the reason for its complete abandonment hundreds of years ago. Some scholars believe that Borobudur is actually a giant textbook of Buddhism, as its bas reliefs tell the story of the life of Buddha and the principles of his teachings. To "read," a pilgrim must make his way through nine platforms and walk a distance of over 2 miles.

Golden Temple - The Harmandir Sahib (meaning The Abode of God) or simply the Golden Temple in Punjab, India is the most sacred shrine of Sikhism. For the Sikhs, the Golden Temple symbolizes infinite freedom and spiritual independence.

Vishnu Temple of Srirangam - The Temple of Srirangam (Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple [wiki]), in the Indian city of Tiruchirapalli (or Trichy), is the largest functioning Hindu temple in the world (Ankor Wat is the largest of all temple, but it is currently non-functioning as a temple - see below).

Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, and Bayon - Last but definitely not least is the largest temple in history and the inspiration to countless novels and action movies of Hollywood: Ankor Wat.

Angkor Wat [wiki] was built in the early 12th century in what is now Cambodia. The world famous temple was first a Hindu one, dedicated to Vishnu. In the 14th or 15th century, as Buddhism swept across Asia, it became a Buddhist temple.

Bonus - Here are some more amazing temples and sacred places that just couldn’t fit in the list above:

Potala Palace and Jokhang Temple - Potala Palace [wiki], built on top of the Red Mountain in Lhasa, Tibet, China was built by the first emperor of Tibet in 637 CE. The current palace was re-constructed in the mid-1600s by the fifth Dalai Lama.

Varanasi in India is not a temple, but ais ctually a famous Hindu holy city, located at the banks of the Ganges River. It is, however, often called the "City of Temples," where almost every road crossing has a nearby temple. A center of pilgrimage (as many as a million pilgrims visit Varanasi each year), the city has links to Buddhism and Jainism as well.

For beautiful pictures of the temples and more details, check:
http://www.neatorama.com/2007/09/19/10-most-amazing-temples-in-the-world/

[CommaKazi]

Veda Vedanta Mandiran - this is the temple that is closest to me here in Missouri, I'm just wondering, do the names of the temple mean certain things, as in which sect they are or anything like that, I'm definately planning on going in the future to check it out and stuff, just wanting a little info

[Indra]

Ive never been to one but I want to go. The problem is that I have this anxiety/fear thing toward the unknown. Its hard to explain but several times ive told my self "ok this time im going to visit the temple" but then dont.
I guess one of the main things is not knowing anyone there and not knowning what to do. Ive heard you take your shoes off, but where do you put your shoes? stuff like that.
This is the temple near my house.
http://www.hindutempleaz.org/

Im sorry that i dont have a temple near my house, i would have to drive 300 - 400 km to the next temple, impossible to make visits more often.