Entering in Bhubaneshwar temples

gianni66 · Feb 6th, 2007, 21:25

Does anybody know if is it possible for a non-hindu to enter in the many Bhubaneshwar temples? I have read that non-Hindus are strictly not allowed in the temple of Puri, what about Bhubaneshwar?

In that this rule is also applied, is it the same as in many Tamil Nadu temples (non-Hindus not allowed in the very inner shrines, but free to go around the rest of the buidling and the first belts of walls) or is it a FULL prohibiction to enter into the building completely?

I am getting more and more curious about visiting Orissa, but I don't know if it makes sense without visiting its temples...

Thanks: Gianni

nayan · Feb 6th, 2007, 21:51

as far as I know Lingaraj temple is out of bound for non-hindus.
dont know about the other temples.

rangers · Feb 7th, 2007, 16:57

Except Lingaraj temple..you can almost enter to those ancient temple.Coz they are maintained By Archologocal survey of India.
So realx..

sebin · Feb 7th, 2007, 18:48

Yes the main Tamil Nadu temples don't allow non-Hindus in the very inner shrines where the god resides (where the main puja is happening).

Basically, i feel it will not be suitable place for non-hindus. it may be just disturbing the devotees. Normally, the non-hindus don't interested in the pujas.

There are temples they don't allow non hindus in the entire temple(like the guruvayur temple in kerala).

I don't know, about the Orissa temples.

Jorge Reverter · Feb 8th, 2007, 00:22

I have visited all the temples in Bhubaneshwar with the exception of Lingaraj Temple. Unfortunately is the most interesting, that's life. Nevertheless things are changing in Orissa after the sentence of the Supreme Court about the harijan's assistance inside the temples.

Jorge

mt.kailash · Feb 8th, 2007, 03:24

About 20 years ago there was a plan to establish a second 'Golden Triangle' comprising Bhubaneswar, Puri, and Konarak.This failed to get off the ground when it was realised that westerners were unwilling to travel several thousand miles at great expense in order to peer over the walls of temples which they could pollute by their very presence.
When I've been around temples with 'no entry to foreigners' signs and ran into a person collecting for temple funds,I always explain that I am desperate to contribute to the temple but unfortunately the money I have has become polluted by close contact with my person and it would be an insult to offer it.
Oddly,in 30 years of travelling to India no one has even TRIED to counter that argument!

aghori · Feb 8th, 2007, 03:37

The sad thing that they judge by color of skin, if you are hindu or not. And on reply of belonging to hinduism say that only hindu by birth are allowed. And why westerner can't be hindu by birth.

So to me it is all just racism.

Palexurdy · Feb 8th, 2007, 03:51

There is a platform outside the Lingaraj, which you can climb for a good view into the temple grounds.

In Tamil Nadu, the practice seemed to be that you aren't allowed into the inner-sanctum during puja, but when it's finished, they will usually let you in. I guess this depends on individual temple policy & how generous the Brahmin is feeling.

Nick-H · Feb 8th, 2007, 11:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by aghori

The sad thing that they judge by color of skin, if you are hindu or not. And on reply of belonging to hinduism say that only hindu by birth are allowed. And why westerner can't be hindu by birth.

So to me it is all just racism.

I was biting my tongue so as not to turn the thread back to this argument

.

But perhaps someone had to say it. You did, and I entirely agree!

mt.kailash... neat argument

As we've said before, many (but, of course, not all) Hindus do not agree with this policy of exclusion. I've often been assured that it will change.

But it could take some time....

capt_mahajan · Feb 8th, 2007, 11:42

Not allowing non-hindu's doesn't make sense to me, but then I don't normally enter practicing temples even though I am allowed to

gianni66 · Feb 8th, 2007, 12:55

Very discouraging arguments, guys...

Independently from the touristy side of the problem (visiting or not the temples), I'm really tempted to change my plans not to support this kind of policy! And it's a pity, but maybe Orissa isn't so packed with tourists right for this?

It's a snake biting his tail, I see!

I will think about it...

gianni66 · Feb 8th, 2007, 13:03

I have another question, though I know very well that medical advice and concerns shall not be taken into account just from a travel forum: how is the malaria situation in Orissa (limited to the Bhubaneshwar-Puri-Konark triangle)? Are anti-malaria tablets necessary also during this season?

I cannot take any anti-malaria medicament now, so it's very important for me to know if the area which I'm going to is at risk or nor... otherwise I have to look for some very dry place where to go!

Gianni

zwala · Feb 8th, 2007, 15:52

How you feel about non-hindu’s entering hindu temples is something to resolve distinct from whether or not you visit Orissa.

Lack of basic infrastructure means Orissa is not the easiest place for tourists to access - therein lies part of the charm (for those willing to stick their neck out that is).

Besides there is so much more to Orissa than temples!

machadinha · Feb 8th, 2007, 18:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick-H

As we've said before, many (but, of course, not all) Hindus do not agree with this policy of exclusion. I've often been assured that it will change.

From what I hear if anything this seems to have gotten worse over the past decade or so. I was seldom refused entry in any religious place in the period before that. In Hindu temples the inner sanctum would usually (but not always) be off-limits indeed, something I saw no reason for complaint in. It all seems to depend a lot on the area (or indeed the individual temple) too though. I guess I figured if it's not open to visitors, too bad (as in Jorge's "that's life"

) -- but it was nice that this wasn't usually the case. I've so far assumed it's to do with a wider hardline Hindu backlash since the late 1980s/early '90s or thereabouts (and I hear some mosques have gotten harder to visit for Westerners for their own reasons, to do with the current state of world politics).

Gianni, friends of mine once used Norman Lewis's A Goddess in the Stones as something of their guidebook to Orissa. Their main interest was with the area's tribal villages I think, not temples. Maybe check it out.

Also, don't get the above more general reflections on the situation in all of India mixed up with that in Orissa, necessarily. Looks like Jorge for instance didn't have much trouble there. I'd personally just go and see how far you get really. As far as practicing temples go, keeping some polite distance at least initially won't hurt anyone I think. I wish more church visitors would do so where I live. Consider yourself a guest and a stranger, and leave it up to the priests and devotees to reach out to you, or not. And as noted, the state of tourism in Orissa probably has more to do with its general state of development, not with temple restrictions.

rangers · Feb 9th, 2007, 17:51

Its interesting how this topic is turning.
There are many nice temples those are open 2 westerrners and some have closed their doors.
Yes.It also hurts any other Indian like me..why it is like this?
(personally I have not been to those temples since I came back to settle down here).
But perhaps they have bitter exprience from their history of destrying temples by invaders and few vedic rules about cleanness.Its a vast narration.
So far about the tourism industry,Its amazing.Orissa has the cleanest rivers,nice quite beaches(yes less touristic and not sold off to operators like other beaches in India).Lots of greenery.Mountains.better roads.lots of Oxygen.
In spite of all these we have less tourist here and many travlers say its good for them to find such a non-touristic place with so much bounty of Orissa.
Thx 2 travel warning in TT.LP.

Feb 6th, 2007, 21:25	#1
gianni66 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Rome, Italy Posts: 283	Entering in Bhubaneshwar temples Does anybody know if is it possible for a non-hindu to enter in the many Bhubaneshwar temples? I have read that non-Hindus are strictly not allowed in the temple of Puri, what about Bhubaneshwar? In that this rule is also applied, is it the same as in many Tamil Nadu temples (non-Hindus not allowed in the very inner shrines, but free to go around the rest of the buidling and the first belts of walls) or is it a FULL prohibiction to enter into the building completely? I am getting more and more curious about visiting Orissa, but I don't know if it makes sense without visiting its temples... Thanks: Gianni

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Feb 6th, 2007, 21:51	#2
nayan Maha Guru Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: hyderabad/tokyo Posts: 842	as far as I know Lingaraj temple is out of bound for non-hindus. dont know about the other temples.

Feb 7th, 2007, 16:57	#3
rangers Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: India Posts: 450	Except Lingaraj temple..you can almost enter to those ancient temple.Coz they are maintained By Archologocal survey of India. So realx..

Feb 7th, 2007, 18:48	#4
sebin Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Chennai Posts: 53	Yes the main Tamil Nadu temples don't allow non-Hindus in the very inner shrines where the god resides (where the main puja is happening). Basically, i feel it will not be suitable place for non-hindus. it may be just disturbing the devotees. Normally, the non-hindus don't interested in the pujas. There are temples they don't allow non hindus in the entire temple(like the guruvayur temple in kerala). I don't know, about the Orissa temples.

Feb 8th, 2007, 00:22	#5
Jorge Reverter Maha Guru Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Murcia - Spain Posts: 1,152	I have visited all the temples in Bhubaneshwar with the exception of Lingaraj Temple. Unfortunately is the most interesting, that's life. Nevertheless things are changing in Orissa after the sentence of the Supreme Court about the harijan's assistance inside the temples. Jorge

Feb 8th, 2007, 03:24	#6
mt.kailash Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: hurn Posts: 99	About 20 years ago there was a plan to establish a second 'Golden Triangle' comprising Bhubaneswar, Puri, and Konarak.This failed to get off the ground when it was realised that westerners were unwilling to travel several thousand miles at great expense in order to peer over the walls of temples which they could pollute by their very presence. When I've been around temples with 'no entry to foreigners' signs and ran into a person collecting for temple funds,I always explain that I am desperate to contribute to the temple but unfortunately the money I have has become polluted by close contact with my person and it would be an insult to offer it. Oddly,in 30 years of travelling to India no one has even TRIED to counter that argument!

Feb 8th, 2007, 03:37	#7
aghori Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Russia/Goverdhan Posts: 189	The sad thing that they judge by color of skin, if you are hindu or not. And on reply of belonging to hinduism say that only hindu by birth are allowed. And why westerner can't be hindu by birth. So to me it is all just racism.

Feb 8th, 2007, 03:51	#8
Palexurdy Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Posts: 155	There is a platform outside the Lingaraj, which you can climb for a good view into the temple grounds. In Tamil Nadu, the practice seemed to be that you aren't allowed into the inner-sanctum during puja, but when it's finished, they will usually let you in. I guess this depends on individual temple policy & how generous the Brahmin is feeling.

Feb 8th, 2007, 11:42	#10
capt_mahajan (in charge of navel affairs) Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: India Posts: 10,134	Not allowing non-hindu's doesn't make sense to me, but then I don't normally enter practicing temples even though I am allowed to

Feb 8th, 2007, 12:55	#11
gianni66 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Rome, Italy Posts: 283	Very discouraging arguments, guys... Independently from the touristy side of the problem (visiting or not the temples), I'm really tempted to change my plans not to support this kind of policy! And it's a pity, but maybe Orissa isn't so packed with tourists right for this? It's a snake biting his tail, I see! I will think about it...

Feb 8th, 2007, 13:03	#12
gianni66 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Rome, Italy Posts: 283	I have another question, though I know very well that medical advice and concerns shall not be taken into account just from a travel forum: how is the malaria situation in Orissa (limited to the Bhubaneshwar-Puri-Konark triangle)? Are anti-malaria tablets necessary also during this season? I cannot take any anti-malaria medicament now, so it's very important for me to know if the area which I'm going to is at risk or nor... otherwise I have to look for some very dry place where to go! Gianni

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Feb 8th, 2007, 15:52	#13
zwala Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: New Delhi Posts: 36	How you feel about non-hindu’s entering hindu temples is something to resolve distinct from whether or not you visit Orissa. Lack of basic infrastructure means Orissa is not the easiest place for tourists to access - therein lies part of the charm (for those willing to stick their neck out that is). Besides there is so much more to Orissa than temples!

Feb 9th, 2007, 17:51	#15
rangers Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: India Posts: 450	Its interesting how this topic is turning. There are many nice temples those are open 2 westerrners and some have closed their doors. Yes.It also hurts any other Indian like me..why it is like this? (personally I have not been to those temples since I came back to settle down here). But perhaps they have bitter exprience from their history of destrying temples by invaders and few vedic rules about cleanness.Its a vast narration. So far about the tourism industry,Its amazing.Orissa has the cleanest rivers,nice quite beaches(yes less touristic and not sold off to operators like other beaches in India).Lots of greenery.Mountains.better roads.lots of Oxygen. In spite of all these we have less tourist here and many travlers say its good for them to find such a non-touristic place with so much bounty of Orissa. Thx 2 travel warning in TT.LP.