I have a question for Hindus about the Hindu Temple....?

Question

In my temple, the main shrine is to Sri Venkateshwara. On the wall facing that shrine however, is a shrine to Garuda. What I have always wondered about is this: if you bow to Garuda, you are having your back then to Sri Venkateshwara. Is this ok to do?

Thanks.

P. S. please don't answer if you cannot be respectful. Thanks.

Answer 1

The formation or construction of any Hindu temple will be - in the order - 1. the main Entrance, 2. - (Flag Staff) 3. Garuda (in Vishnu Temples) or Nandi (In Shiva temples) or the vahana of the main Deity 4. Balipeetam (these four form part of the shrine and finally the sanctum sanctorum. In between there may be some pillars, gates, Jaya Vijaya or Dwarapala statues etc.

As per Agama Procedures (Agama means temple rules) one should prostrate or bow down (it is called Namskram) only at the place that is - in between the main Entrance and the dwajastambam. Here there will be some blank space to do it.

This covers all the deities including main shrine in the temple. You may stand before every Deity and pray with folded hands and closing eyes. You need not seperately bow to Garunda or any other deity. Best of luck-

Answer 2

It depends on how the temple is built. A lot of temples in the USA are houses for many denominations and sometimes these temples house a lot of murtis. I have been to temples where the main murti of the deva that the temple is dedicated to is in the center as you walk into the sanctuary and other "main" devas are to the right and left and then on either side life or right facing into the sanctuary is even more devas that if you turn to face them you then have your back to the ones on the other side.

I have asked before how I should approach the devas and if it is okay to turn my back on others when visiting temples that have layouts like this. What the priests have said is "It's okay God understands that you aren't being rude." At my local temple the devas are all along one wall, so turning your back on them is not a problem.....but when there are special functions happening sometimes you are seated with your back to them. I asked if this was bad and again told "God understands your heart and knows you do not mean to offend." So having been told this not only at my local temple by priests but also by other priests at other temples (all the priests are immigrants from India and formerly worked at temples there) then I feel that this must be a concensus on the matter. It may be different in temples in India and perhaps in some of the Hindu temples in North America that are fortunate enough to only house one deva, but for those that seem to be multidenominational temples the priests seem to suggest that God is aware of our hearts intentions and thus is not offended if we should have to have our backs to God. One way of showing respect that I have seen at one temple with such a layout was that devotees would prostrate on the floor ...sort of like how muslims pray...you know get down on your knees and then bow down touching your head to the floor...this seems to work well since it helps avoid having your back to the devas on the other wall. Another way was to lay down on the floor completely...I've only seen this a few times, though. Otherwise most people stood with their hands together, bowed, and prayed that way before the murtis.

Answer 3

Usually in all Indian temples in front of the Deity his carrier or vehicle or vahana is installed. For ex. Shiva - Nandi, bull, for Durga - lion, for Ganesha - mouse, for Muruga or subramanya - a peacock etc,. There is nothing wrong according to me if Garuda is posited in the manner you have described.

When ever we perform pooja, on conclusion we take 3 rounds , that is what we call as Atmapradakshina ands then bow on the floor. During the course of taking the turn our back is towards the god We normally do not take any objection for that.

I think you must have read the story of Sant Tukaram. One day he was sleeping on the floor in a temple keeping his legs on a Shiv ling. A devotee who noticed this was little uncomfortable and asks Tukaram to take of his legs from the idol. Tukaram requests that devotee to move his legs to different place as he is old enough and unable to move. Then the devotee lifts the legs of Tukaram and places it away. To his surprise he found a sivling under his legs. He keeps on moving tyhe legs and where ever he places it he finds a shiv ling there.

Why I described this is God is not bothered about the back or front of the devotee. God wants more devotion but not the posture. Only we humans think front or back or showing back as disrespect. God will be able to understand the devotees sincerity in whatsoever way one stands.

Answer 4

For God all our parts are equal,nothing matters if it is back or side. Moreover the God Almighty himself wants Garuda as his vahana should get the respect in equal terms. So while bowing Garuda, if your back comes in front of the main diety, the main diety will not be having any displeasure towards you.

Answer 5

You can pay obeisances or bow down to Gaurda keeping your right to Garuda which is the normal practice and thus your bakc will not be towards Sri Venkateshwara.

To all the Vishnu deities, viz., Rama, Narasimha, Krishna, Narayana, Varaha, Vamana etc..., one offers one's respectful obeisances by keeping the deities to one's left side. By this way also, one's back or feet is not towards Garuda.

Other than Lord Vishnu, like Lord Shiva and other demigods one bows to them by keeping them on their right side.

Additionally, women offer their respectful obeisances to the deity by using five limbs of the body called as panchanga and men by falling flat like a stick called as dandavat.

Answer 6

It is okay as God is everywhere. U have to see within urself. The whole process of rituals is towards that end. Further as a support I quote an episode from the life of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, first Sikh Guru who cleared all doubts. Once he visited Kabaha and put his feet towards Allaha. The Muslims protested at that. He very calmly told them to put his feet in the direction they feel right and to everyone's amazement the Muslims saw Allaha on all sides. Sh. Guru Nanak Dev ji was an enlightened soul so he could prove. U ve to enlighten urself in true spirit. Hope u r clear now.

Answer 7

I understand your delima. Even temples have certain protocols to be followed. One of them as mentioned above one cannot face their back on God.

We are forgetting one more rule here. Nobody except the Pujari has right to stand in line with God. So if you or me were to pray God, we would be standing sideway and not in line with the vision of God. This protocol was introduced to get rid of above delima.

But hey, I am sure not many of us are following, knowingly or unknowingly, the rule which I just explained. So either way we are not following the protocols properly. So need to worry if back is facing God or not.

As far as you pray with good heart, God will not mind your action.

Answer 8

it is not a great mistake.as my father says me,that when you bow to lord garuda who is the vahana(or) vehicle of lord vishnu(venkateshwara)there is not a mistake at alldo you know?thateven i asked my dad the same question inmy child hood.after all it is agod towhom you are bowing !! bye!!my email ID is- [e-mail]

Answer 9

It's about the true devotion that is in ur heart.If you are truly devoted u need not worry,God loves you.God will not see whether u r physically turning ur back on him,what he would be concerned with is, ur mind & heart are turned towards him or not.
Best wishes.

Answer 10

no facing your back to venkateaswera is no good. first see gurada with out bending.then see both goddess andal and goddess lakshmi with out seeing venkateaswera. now go to venkateaswera shrine dont see face to face of the god.there is a process to see god. first see his legs(padalu).then see his stmoach(nabhi sthanam)then see both the goddess on his heart(vakshastalam)then see his sankam&chakram. finally see his face. in this method of seeing god lord venkateaswera wiil pleased and give blessings