Why do we go to temples?

Hinduism is a religious belief that emphasizes worshipping divine entities. Though we can offer our prayers to the deities from anywhere, most of us might find it hard to concentrate. As per the belief systems, there are four ancient periods, which include the Krta Yug, the Treta Yug, the Dvapara Yug, and the Kali Yug. The building of temples started in the Kali Yug, which began around 3102 BC. Unlike the other three periods, the Kali Yug focuses on anger, pride, and reliance on materialism. The ancient sages brought forward the concept of constructing temples as a place of worship so that people could move away from such issues. Some works suggest that the past people built the first Temple during the last epoch of the Vedic age.

Another significant belief related to Temples falls back to the two concepts of Hinduism. They are the Niguuna Brahma and the Shagun Brahma. As per Nigunna Brahma, God does not have a manifested form. Whereas in Shagun Brahma, people believe that God can have different representations. Based on it, we have various images of Gods and Goddesses. It also led to the construction of Temples in India.

Significance of going to Temples: Most of us visit a Temple to offer our reverence and prayers to the Gods and Goddesses. There are different Temples dedicated to the worship of various deities in India and across the world. The place in which a Temple is located is auspicious and contains positive vibrations. The constructors of Temples built them based on ancient scriptures written by skilled architects from the past eras. Before setting up a Temple, the builders choose the Gharbahriha (sanctum sanctorum) or the location of placing the idol. It is where the positive vitalities have the maximum presence as it can gain the magnetic energy prevalent in the surrounding area.

There is both religious and scientific significances of going to a temple. The architecture of the Temples plays a vital role in emanating positive energies and improving us spiritually as well as religiously.

1. The Gharbhagriha is in the core center of a Temple. It is the first location chosen for a Temple. The priest or the Purohit places the idol or the Murthi in the Gharbhagriha. It is after the completion of the rituals of Pranpratishta. When a person visits a Temple to offer his or her prayers, he or she can imbibe the positive energies emanated from the Gharbagriha.
2. Before entering into a Temple, it is essential to remove our footwear. The reason behind it is that the floor of the Temple is one of the chief sources of conducting positive energies to our bodies. When our feet touch the ground, they absorb the energy and allow it to flow through our bodies. Another reason for removing footwear while visiting a Temple is that our footwear contains impurities, and it is disrespectful to the deities residing in the Temple when we enter the Temple wearing our footwear.
3. Temples are places with calmness and can aid in providing us with peace of mind. They are one of the best places to meditate, contemplate, and gain mental peace. It is because there isn't any noise in the Temple. The ringing of the bells, the blowing of the conch, the chanting of Japas, and mantras can improve our focus and concentration.
4. As per the Sanatan way of life, the devotees believe that God resides in every atom. Panchbhootas include water, air, sky ether, and sky play predominant roles in our lives. As per Ayurveda, the human body comprises these five elements. While constructing a Temple, the constructors give focus to these principles. When we visit a Temple, any imbalances in these elements in our body could get cured.
5. In Kali Yug, as mentioned earlier, people focus on material benefits like wealth, property, money, new clothes, etc. However, when we structure our lives primarily based on materialism, it can adversely affect our mental peace and solace. If we have to move beyond the material realm to a transcended and non-materialist way of living, we have to concentrate and meditate on the divine figures. By visiting a Temple regularly, we can ascend ourselves to non-materialism.
6. A Temple can invoke the five senses of our body. The ringing of bells can unify the left and right brains. For instance, the vibrations of the bell last in our ears for seven seconds. It aids in activating the seven chakras and also invokes the sense of hearing. The lighting of camphor and touching it after the completion of Aarti is a way of appealing to the sense of touch. The offering of flowers and burning of incense sticks aid in improving our sense of smell.
7. Theerta offered to the devotees in a Temple is yet another significant factor. A Purohit places water in a copper or silver vessel with Tulsi leaves dipped in it for at least eight hours. As per Ayurveda, Theerta can cure the imbalances of our three doshas. They are Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. They can also help in curing fever, common cold, sore throat, heart disorders, etc.
8. Walking around the Gharbagriha of a Temple is known as Pradikshna. It can help in absorbing the positive energy emanating from the Gharbhagriha.

Benefits of Visiting a Temple: There are several benefits of visiting a Temple and offering our prayers to God. In a Temple, we are communicating with an idol (Murthi). It is a way to improve our connection with the Lord. There are other benefits, as well.

1. Visiting a Temple and offering our reverence to the divine entities can help us in building a routine and providing peace of mind.
2. By sitting in a Temple and reading religious works can awaken us spiritually and provide us cooling effect.
3. When we visit a Temple, we can touch the steps and place our hands on our forehead. It is a way of healing the imbalances of our Third Eye Chakra. It can also destroy Raja-Tama particles in our bodies.

Visiting a Temple plays a crucial role in the Hindu belief system. It is a way of improving our concentration and connection with the Divine figure. You can also move beyond the material realm to a transcended way of living by visiting Temples and offering prayers to the Gods and Goddesses.