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Amala
24 June 2011, 10:05 AM
Namaste,

There are a few temples in India that don't allow untouchables, others, as is mentioned in another thread that don't allow non-Indians but there are still many (to include here in the USA) that expect menstruating women to stay out. Obviously, it's un-enforceable, but that sort of exclusive thinking is not for me, regardless of any rationale. But I'd still like to participate at a temple. I contacted ISKCON and they are open to all. Does anyone here know of other branches of Hinduism whose temples are open to all? Or is that the only one?

kallol
24 June 2011, 11:07 AM
Ramakrishna Mutt may be another (it is open to all religions also).

Same is with Gaudia mutt.

Most of the temples in Bengal are open to all as far as I know.

Love and best wishes

charitra
24 June 2011, 02:14 PM
amalaji,

the title of thread should read: which mandirs are NOT open to everyone?
I do agree wiht the idea of coming up with the list of trouble makers in order for all hindus to make collective representation to bring change in their discriminative policies. I do respect their reasons, but then we have to move on with the times.Brahman doesnt discriminate.

It is much easier to come up with a short list of culprits rather than postings all those thousands of mandirs spread across the globe that places no restrictions on anyone. Puri Jagannath mandir, Bhuvaneswar, Orissa, India makes the list refusing entry to caucasians; the next one is Pashupathinath mandir of Katmandu, Nepal that faces the same accusation..this I say from what was posted here and elsewhere.

AmIHindu
24 June 2011, 03:14 PM
Namaste,

LOL

which mandirs are NOT open to everyone? :goodpost:


People look for negative things first, especially when it comes to Hinduism and Indians.

Jainarayan
24 June 2011, 03:37 PM
Puri Jagannath mandir, Bhuvaneswar, Orissa, India makes the list refusing entry to caucasians; the next one is Pashupathinath mandir of Katmandu, Nepal that faces the same accusation..this I say from what was posted here and elsewhere.

I just found this. It's a shame the temple had to take such drastic actions.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jagannath_Temple,_Puri#Temple_today

(The bold is mine)

Temple today
In modern times the temple is busy and functioning.The temple is selective regarding who is allowed entry & most non-Hindus are excluded from premises,[13] (http://www.hindudharmaforums.com/#cite_note-12) as are Hindus of non-Indian origin. Visitors not allowed entry may view the precincts from the roof of the nearby Raghunandan Library.[14] (http://www.hindudharmaforums.com/#cite_note-13) There is some evidence that this came into force following a series of invasions by foreigners into the temple and surrounding area. Buddhist (http://www.hindudharmaforums.com/wiki/Buddhist), and Jain (http://www.hindudharmaforums.com/wiki/Jain) groups are allowed into the temple compound if they are able to prove their Indian ancestry.[15] (http://www.hindudharmaforums.com/#cite_note-14) The temple has slowly started allowing Hindus (http://www.hindudharmaforums.com/wiki/Hindu) of non-Indian origin into the area, after an incident in which 3 Balinese (http://www.hindudharmaforums.com/wiki/Balinese_people) Hindus were denied entry, even though Bali (http://www.hindudharmaforums.com/wiki/Bali) is 90% Hindu.[16] (http://www.hindudharmaforums.com/#cite_note-15)

^ (http://www.hindudharmaforums.com/#cite_ref-12) "Jagannatha Puri" (http://web.archive.org/web/20060715031144/http://www.iskcon.com/culture/holy_places/j_puri.html). Archived from the original (http://www.iskcon.com/culture/holy_places/j_puri.html) on 2006-07-15. http://web.archive.org/web/20060715031144/http://www.iskcon.com/culture/holy_places/j_puri.html (http://web.archive.org/web/20060715031144/http://www.iskcon.com/culture/holy_places/j_puri.html). Retrieved 2006-09-12.

^ (http://www.hindudharmaforums.com/#cite_ref-13) "Puri - Jagannath Temple" (http://www.planetware.com/puri/jagannath-temple-ind-oris-jag.htm). http://www.planetware.com/puri/jagannath-temple-ind-oris-jag.htm (http://www.planetware.com/puri/jagannath-temple-ind-oris-jag.htm).

^ (http://www.hindudharmaforums.com/#cite_ref-14) "Jagannath Temple" (http://www.odissi.com/orissa/jagannath.htm). http://www.odissi.com/orissa/jagannath.htm (http://www.odissi.com/orissa/jagannath.htm). Retrieved 2006-09-12.

^ (http://www.hindudharmaforums.com/#cite_ref-15) Puri temple in Hindu gaffe (http://www.telegraphindia.com/1071108/asp/nation/story_8524891.asp), The Telegraph, Calcutta - November 08, 2007

Eastern Mind
24 June 2011, 03:53 PM
Namaste,

There are a few temples in India that don't allow untouchables, others, as is mentioned in another thread that don't allow non-Indians but there are still many (to include here in the USA) that expect menstruating women to stay out. Obviously, it's un-enforceable, but that sort of exclusive thinking is not for me, regardless of any rationale. But I'd still like to participate at a temple. I contacted ISKCON and they are open to all. Does anyone here know of other branches of Hinduism whose temples are open to all? Or is that the only one?

Vannakkam Amala: This thread http://www.hindudharmaforums.com/showthread.php?t=3700&highlight=menstrual+custom discusses it a bit.

Aum Namasivaya

Divine Kala
24 June 2011, 07:22 PM
See now I have a problem with the 'no menstruating women or wounded persons allowed' policy because over a period of five years I suffered from a chronic open wound and had I been where I am now with easy access to temples I would not have been allowed in! During a time of chronic injury I believe temples can actually HELP. The good vibrations within them and the palpable presence of God can go a long way to helping a person get better.

Amala
25 June 2011, 08:17 AM
Namaste,

Thank you all for your thoughts.


Ramakrishna Mutt may be another (it is open to all religions also).

Same is with Gaudia mutt.

Most of the temples in Bengal are open to all as far as I know.

Love and best wishes

Thank you. Do you know if those temples are under the guidance of a particular priest? ..or an organization that keeps them from perpetuating rules that exclude?


amalaji,

the title of thread should read: which mandirs are NOT open to everyone?
I do agree wiht the idea of coming up with the list of trouble makers in order for all hindus to make collective representation to bring change in their discriminative policies. I do respect their reasons, but then we have to move on with the times.Brahman doesnt discriminate.

It is much easier to come up with a short list of culprits rather than postings all those thousands of mandirs spread across the globe that places no restrictions on anyone. Puri Jagannath mandir, Bhuvaneswar, Orissa, India makes the list refusing entry to caucasians; the next one is Pashupathinath mandir of Katmandu, Nepal that faces the same accusation..this I say from what was posted here and elsewhere.

This has not been my experience. Many I have spoken to not only will not discuss the topic of this thread, but they get side-tracked into defending the practice of keeping menstruating women out of temples. Of the 4 temples I've contacted here in Michigan, only one is open to all.


Vannakkam Amala: This thread http://www.hindudharmaforums.com/showthread.php?t=3700&highlight=menstrual+custom discusses it a bit.

Aum Namasivaya

Thank you, but that's not the topic that I'm interested in. I understand there are reasons for choices, but I am hoping to find the path that fits me.


See now I have a problem with the 'no menstruating women or wounded persons allowed' policy because over a period of five years I suffered from a chronic open wound and had I been where I am now with easy access to temples I would not have been allowed in! During a time of chronic injury I believe temples can actually HELP. The good vibrations within them and the palpable presence of God can go a long way to helping a person get better.

I agree. I hope there are more paths than ISKCON that will openly state they whole-heartedly support, in all their temples, welcoming all. That's what I'm looking for.

Om s'aanti: s'aanti: s'aanti:

kallol
25 June 2011, 09:14 AM
Ramakrishna and Gaudiya are organisation - well proliferated.

Amongst the Indians, bengalis are generally known to be more liberated in terms of the ritualistic and caste bases hindu religion. I do not say that they are not there but not as predominant as in most of the other parts.

It is because of the large numbers of philosophers from that region in the modern era - Chaitanya, Ramakrishna, Yogananda, Lahiri Mahasaya, Vivekananda, Aurobindo, Prabhupada, Raja Rammohan Roy, ....... and some more. These people have helped in removing the caste based and ritual based dharma and establish more of community based pujas and spirituality (sanatana dharma) based learning.

So in Bengal we have a few temples and mostly they are Kali temples. The other pujas (even the kali puja) like Durga puja, Saraswati puja, Laxmi puja, etc are all celebrated as community puja in a temporary erected cover (called pandal) and after the puja the idol is put in lakes or rivers or sea. There is no divide of caste, religion, etc. There are examples of a Muslim or Christian as part of the organising committee also.

This culture has percolated to most temples (the few which are there) and priest never asks for caste creed or religion.

Love and best wishes

charitra
25 June 2011, 09:52 AM
Wouldn’t it be better to shorten the list of demands to: entry to All hindus regardless of skin color, caste and gender (Swamy ayyappa mandir, kerala prohibits entry to ALL women over some 10 yrs age. This is the only mandir that prohibits women in all of the world!). Regarding monthly cycles of women, how is it going to be an issue, if it is between the woman and her creator, meaning how on earth another fellow would know about a devotee’s eastrous cycles, and why should any woman advertise it? Creator has no issues with it, we know that.

May be some scholars thought in those days that phremones abound during that week in woman’s cycle and the phremones in turn might cause some ‘issues’ to other male devotees. You are in my opinion stretching it too far, it is a different matter Iam on your side even on this... Its like going to Saudi king and demanding a right to wear bikinis to schools, whilst women cant even drive cars (in Burkha that is) there as we speak. Calm down Kaalimaataji, it is Saturday, the prayer day. Namaste.

Amala
25 June 2011, 10:54 AM
Regarding monthly cycles of women, how is it going to be an issue, if it is between the woman and her creator, meaning how on earth another fellow would know about a devotee’s eastrous cycles, and why should any woman advertise it? Creator has no issues with it, we know that.



Namaste,

For me it signifies the overall spirit of the temple, not if it's enforceable. Are we all welcome? As you say, The Creator has no problem with it. The spirit of the temple where I belong will not have a problem either. If there is only ISKCON temples, then at least there are those that do not exclude anyone.

@Kallol, So it's your opinion that if a woman were to look for Ramakrishna and Gaudiya temples here in the USA, they should not have a problem welcoming her - any day she wished to attend, regardless of the stage in her cycle?

Peace,
Amala

Ganeshprasad
25 June 2011, 04:59 PM
Pranam all

i agonized weather to post my views or not, it is one thing that the temples be opened to all Hindus, i must say that also within the boundaries and the rules of the temples, for instance a lot of temples in south india will insist on man wearing a dhoti, women in traditional dress but it is another to knock an age old tradition of women in their natural monthly cycle what to speak of going to temples, they are excused form doing any normal duties in the house. they are simply untouchable for that time, that has been a universal rule which was i believed very rigid in olden days, today mostly normal everyday routine is carried out without any fuss but anything spiritual a Hindu born lady would not dream of taking part. it is a self imposed discipline our family in uk, we say come it is ok, but they simply would not attend Norta or temple.

Hindus are no fool this rule must have been there for a reason besides i know during this period, all my nieces i know, is that they want to be is left alone, that says a lot.

In nepal they worship and choose a living Goddess, as soon as they reach puberty they no longer worship her and choose another.

Jai Shree Krishna

smaranam
25 June 2011, 05:33 PM
Obviously, it's un-enforceable, but that sort of exclusive thinking is not for me, regardless of any rationale. But I'd still like to participate at a temple.

Namaste,

May i first ask, what you expect or mean by "participate in a temple" ?

Before going any further, let me first say, ISKCON, Gaudiya MaTh or not, Deity pujA and anything near the Deity area is out of the question. ISKCON and Gaudiya MaTh have twice initiated women pujAris but this rule obviously applies to them.

Do you see yourself attending Temple along with a big group ? Then i can see how a planned trip can be a problem. Can you make sure nobody will expect you to arrive or miss you if you don't ? e.g. there is Ratha yAtra in town and you skip it and people are looking for you all over ?

If by participation you mean individually attending arati, kirtan, lecture, or ad-hoc last minute volunteering, i do not see any problem of staying away without having to tell anyone. Missing darshan or arati or kirtan as part of the crowd when no specific service is expected should not be a problem unless it means many people coming to know, and one should not insist on breaking the rule then.

It is only when one is commited to some service like sing Narsimha prayers on Tuesday, that one would have to arrange for a substitute, and usually that should not be a problem, but if it is, then i can see why someone would protest against this rule. I believe this is what happened at ISKCON / Gaudiya MaTh since it is all active seva-schedule-oriented, and some matajis asked for bending the rule.

praNAm

NayaSurya
25 June 2011, 05:39 PM
You should not agonize<3 I think it comes from a very good place and is very goodly.

Since my body contains the Mirena I do not have a real experience with this problem...as I have not had a period for decades between the pregnancies and Mirena.

But, I will say...Some may live these very comfortable lives with cars and air conditioning....but imagine going on a walk to a temple in sweltering heat and feeling poorly? Drawing water for your home may take an hour of back breaking labor and could perhaps need to be done several times a day!

We have often heard women labled "unclean" during these times...and I am sure they were. Again, before the advent of sanitary pads, tampons, tylenol and such...ugh...I don't know how those poor women survived.

Can you imagine how overall icky those poor ladies felt?

Not to mention, it is suggested that anyone who be feeling unwell to skip temple and activities...not just females.

For me, this rule is very common sense...I don't think it comes in the spirit of the abrahamics who said..."go filthy vile women you are unclean."

But more of a "Dear Goddess...in all your Beautiful Wondrous Incarnations....Please...take rest at this time and take care of Yourself<3"

Can you imagine how relieved those young ladies were when someone let them rest? I feel the relief to my bones.

Eastern Mind
25 June 2011, 06:07 PM
Vannakkam all:

Not going to temple is as important as going to temple, and there are many reasons, depending on which tradition one follows, caste, sect, etc. I know of no temple where everyone would go all the time. Some temples themselves sometimes close for everybody, even the priests, on days when some would consider just superstition. From my observations, its about as complicated and diverse as SD itself.

Here's a partial list ... applies to some temples, perhaps not all, in varying degrees. The concept of temple is very very different than the concept of church.
- on solar eclipses, some temples close completely, not even the priests are allowed
- only married men can be chief priests at some (mine here is an example ... we have a wonderful assistant priest, but he cannot become chief priest because he's single .. I don't like it but accept it)
- nobody except priests are allowed in sanctums of south India style
- many devotees won't go when they're angry or upset ... they believe that would disturb the peaceful vibration, this is unlike Christianity especially, when one might go for solace.
- funerals are never held in temples, grieving is done elsewhere, depending on area or sect. I've heard 21 days, 31 days, or even a whole year. Some close friends will follow this. On the day of the funeral or service which is held elsewhere, nobody who attends the funeral goes on to the temple.

- the period immediately after a birth, again 21 days, or 31 days, no relatives including at least parents, and grandparents can go to temple. Sometimes even very close friends follow this. (Here each time when our chief priest had a grandchild, we hired a priest from Toronto to come serve ... its happened 6 times ...) (I've also seen a family refused service, someone from a different area of India where customs are different came with a 10 day old baby for a ceremony. Priest and manager asked them to go away and come back in 21 more days. I don't know if they ever came back.)
- Many people stay away if they are not meat free for at least 24 hours, so if they plan to go to temple, they are veggie for a t least 24 hours.
- Some people will stay away for 24 or 48 hours or more after sexual activity.
- Non-Hindus are excluded, and many non-Hindus wouldn't go in even if invited. I've seen people of mixed marriages wait in the car for at least an hour while their spouse is in the temple.
- Injured people sometimes don't go, but it depends on the person, and the severity of the injury.
- modest dress is almost universal, some temples have enforced dress codes. I know a few who provide dhoti/veshti, or sarong at least.
- no one goes ever without showering or bathing

These have only been my observations. Born Hindus, in general, take all this in stride, as they're just so very used to it. Perhaps not going to temple is no big deal. But like I said, it really really varies a lot, from temple to temple, and person to person. Some (temples and people) really error on the side of caution perhaps too much, while others verge on disrespecting all the customs. Especially with the western temples, its hard sometimes to tell what's temple and what isn't, as often a cultural hall is attached or on the property, or the temple has a basement. The boundaries are less clear than in India. Again some people would consider temple property or land to be 'at the temple'. Others wouldn't. In the end its really up to the individual and temple management. I personally would respect the management's wishes anywhere. I've been a temple trustee, and its a thankless thankless job some days.

Aum Namasivaya

Ganeshprasad
25 June 2011, 06:20 PM
Pranam Naya, thank you



But more of a "Dear Goddess...in all your Beautiful Wondrous Incarnations....Please...take rest at this time and take care of Yourself<3"

Can you imagine how relieved those young ladies were when someone let them rest? I feel the relief to my bones.

Preciously my point, i had never viewed this anything other then a well deserved break, although i had heard other reasons and i respect that.

EMji has also summed up quite nicely for all the other reason one may not attend a temple or perform puja, there are specific rules of does and don't during Sutak as EM mentioned during a birth or death in the family.

Jai Shree Krishna

Arjuni
25 June 2011, 07:37 PM
Edited to delete/move original posting.

Sahasranama
25 June 2011, 07:50 PM
I heard from a kannadiga that women in south India consider their periods as a mini vacation. During this time the men take care of the cooking and the women have time to relax. :)

Eastern Mind
25 June 2011, 07:54 PM
delete

Sahasranama
26 June 2011, 11:02 AM
Yes, but he also is proficiant in Dutch, otherwise I would not have understood him. ;)

Amala
26 June 2011, 12:47 PM
Namaste,

As the OP, let me please remind people that the topic is on which temples are open to all. If you could kindly take the discussion of why women go or don't or whether or not they should go during the time of menses to another thread, I would very much appreciate it.

Peace

NayaSurya
26 June 2011, 01:08 PM
Namaste,

As the OP, let me please remind people that the topic is on which temples are open to all. If you could kindly take the discussion of why women go or don't or whether or not they should go during the time of menses to another thread, I would very much appreciate it.

Peace


Amala, you asked what temples were open to everyone and one of the answers is...

Every temple has some "not allowed" for different reasons one of those reasons is menses.

Eastern Mind
26 June 2011, 01:11 PM
delete

Amala
26 June 2011, 02:53 PM
Vannakkam Amala: In my city it is none.

Aum Namasivaya


If you live in a large city, you probably have an ISKCON temple. I contacted their main office and they wrote back stating that they do not bar anyone entrance. They do not support the practice of excluding others. I am waiting to hear back from the Ramakrishna Mutt and the Gauriya Mutt on that topic.

Amala
26 June 2011, 02:55 PM
Amala, you asked what temples were open to everyone and one of the answers is...

Every temple has some "not allowed" for different reasons one of those reasons is menses.

As I wrote in the previous posts, ISKCON does not support the exclusion of others. Everyone is welcome.

The focus of this thread is not to debate the correctness of ones actions or thinking, but simply to locate those temples that would suit those who prefer an open temple best.

smaranam
26 June 2011, 05:26 PM
Namaste

If you have not received an answer so far, chances are less you are going to get one here.

Whether you find an "open temple" or not, i think it is one's responsibility to not engage in making garlands for Deities or anything related to Deities at the time. Being just a spectator or audience is a different story.

That is why i asked "What do you expect or mean by participation ?" but did not receive any answer...

Jai Shri KrushNa

Amala
26 June 2011, 06:05 PM
Namaste,

In order to answer your question, Smaranam, I first have to correct your quote. What I wrote was "... [they] expect menstruating women to stay out," meaning they are expected not to enter the temple at all. I haven't been interested in "participating" at this point, just wanting to get in the door. :-)

Thank you for your gentle response.

Om s'aanti: s'aanti: s'aanti:



Namaste

If you have not received an answer so far, chances are less you are going to get one here.

Whether you find an "open temple" or not, i think it is one's responsibility to not engage in making garlands for Deities or anything related to Deities at the time. Being just a spectator or audience is a different story.

That is why i asked "What do you expect or mean by participation ?" but did not receive any answer...

Jai Shri KrushNa

smaranam
26 June 2011, 06:48 PM
Namaste Amalaji, it was this that you said that triggered my qn :

But I'd still like to participate at a temple.

The word participate rather than attend or visit. That is why i asked.

Jai Shri KrushNa

Amala
26 June 2011, 06:56 PM
Namaste Amalaji, it was this that you said that triggered my qn :


The word participate rather than attend or visit. That is why i asked.

Jai Shri KrushNa

Namaste Smaranam Ji,

My apologies. I looked back over my posts and missed that one. That *is* misleading, isn't it. By that I simply meant 'take part in' as in attend, as you surmised.

Peace

skanthan
16 February 2012, 09:25 AM
Here in Edmonton, all of the temples are open to everyone. While there are a few who are intolerant and try to bully non Hindus or Hindus of non Hindu origin, most of the Edmonton Hindus, say %99 of them, are welcoming of everyone. I have attended many bhajans, satsangs, pujas, yagyas etc at all of the temples and found the atmosphere so wonderful and had many an opportunity to sing some bhajans or chant some stotras. The people do not give any importance to me being white. All they see is my devotion and my eagerness to learn more and more about Hinduism. And when I go, I do not see the people destroying all the food after I came in. Rather, they give me some to eat as they do for all the people attending. I am really happy to be a part of the Hindu community and really appreciate the warm accepting nature of my fellow Hindus.

pandeyypoojaa
06 January 2017, 04:30 PM
Puri Jagannath Temple in Odisha (timings, transportation and significance of the temple described at - https://www.myoksha.com/puri-jagannath-temple/ ) is one of the 4 revered dhams in India and is open to everyone. But I will not mention a lost as there are lakhs of temples in India and Most of them are open to everyone. Few temples run by trustees or some pandits create unrequired differences.

Believer
16 January 2017, 10:57 PM
Namaste,


Puri Jagannath Temple in Odisha (timings, transportation and significance of the temple described at - https://www.myoksha.com/puri-jagannath-temple/ ) is one of the 4 revered dhams in India and is open to everyone
Welcome to the forum. Surprised to see a 5 year old thread revived.
It would have been nice if you had given us a brief intro. and the extent of your association with the JaganNath Mandir.

About the JaganNath Mandir in Odisha, I beg to differ with the assertion that everyone is welcome there. ONLY Hindus who look Indian are allowed in. It is quite restrcitive, unless thangs have changed in the last couple of years.

Anirudh
17 January 2017, 03:14 AM
Originally Posted by pandeyypoojaaSurprised to see a 5 year old thread revived.

Namaste

Joined in May 2016, first post in Jan 2017. That too cherry picking.

HDF gets strange hits

CedarTree
27 June 2017, 06:31 PM
Just makes me want to travel and see cool temples :)

EternalHindu
13 December 2018, 03:23 AM
Saberimala temple (https://www.livehindustan.com/national/story-saberimala-temple-is-going-to-open-for-everyone-amid-tensed-situation-know-10-points-here-2226193.html) is open to everyone:)