How a Temple should be built?

In recent years, it has been observed that the practice of building temples in seemingly random or at less traditional locations, such as streets or residential colonies, is quite popular. Because of urbanization, people with physical limitations, especially the elderly and those with mobility issues, can easily access religious services without traveling far.

Here arises the question: Can a temple be built anywhere? And only the devotion and convenience are sufficient over the traditional, symbolic considerations that were paramount in ancient times for the construction of a temple. If so, then why did the ancient builders carefully consider the selection of temple sites? Let’s find out.

What is a Temple?

A temple is considered as a dwelling place of the divine. It is believed to be charged with spiritual energy that comes from the presence of deities, the power of rituals, and the devotion of the worshippers. The energy of the temple creates an atmosphere, an AURA where devotees get connected with the divine, seek blessings, and experience inner peace, bliss, and spiritual growth.

A Temple without spiritual energy is not a Temple

The essence of a temple lies in its spiritual energy, which distinguishes it from any ordinary building or gathering place. Without this energy, a temple loses its sanctity and purpose, reducing it to just a physical structure where people might gather, but without a deeper spiritual connection. This is why the energy needs to be maintained and amplified (by many factors, such as the location, site, and spiritual significance) to sustain the deities’ blessings to remove devotee’s problems.

How were the temple-sites selected during ancient times?

In ancient times, selecting a site for a temple was a process imbued with spiritual, cultural, and practical considerations. Given below are the foremost factors for deciding a place for a temple.

Spiritual Significance:

Temple sites were often chosen for their spiritual or religious significance, such as the abode of gods, the birthplace of an incarnation, or a natural feature like a mountain, river, or sacred tree.

Astrological and Vastu Principles:

The direction, energy flow, and harmony with the natural environment were meticulously planned according to Astrological calculation and Vastu guidelines.

Ordained by Saints or Oracles:

Permission from a revered Saint or Oracle used to be the final word for the construction of a temple, as saints are considered to have higher consciousness and the ability to see things beyond common people and prevalent norms of society.

What does Vastu say regarding the construction of the temple?

In Vastu Shastra, the ancient Indian science of architecture, the design and construction of a temple are governed by specific guidelines to ensure that the space is in harmony with the natural and cosmic energies.

Quality of Land:

The chosen land for the temple should not have been previously used for negative activities; it should be clean and fertile with a natural slope towards the north or east.

Surroundings:

It should be located in a peaceful area, away from noise and pollution, near some water source like a pond or well, ideally in the northeast direction of the temple. Water is considered a purifier, and its presence in this direction is believed to enhance the temple’s spiritual energy.

Temple Layout:

The temple should follow a square or rectangular layout, with the sanctum sanctorum (Garbhagriha) located in the center. The square shape is considered the most stable and harmonious according to Vastu principles.

Entrance:

The temple entrance should preferably face east or north. An east-facing entrance is considered the most auspicious as it allows the first rays of the sun to enter, symbolizing light and knowledge.

Main Deity’s Placement:

The deity in the temple should ideally be placed in the northeast corner, known as the Ishanya direction, which is considered highly auspicious. The deity should face the east, allowing the devotees to face the west while praying.

Sanctum Sanctorum (Garbhagriha):

The Garbhagriha, where the main deity resides, should be located at the Brahmasthan (central part) of the temple, symbolizing the core energy. It must be slightly elevated compared to the rest of the temple, indicating the supreme importance of the deity.

The shape of Garbhgriha should ideally be square, as it is considered a perfect shape in Vastu, symbolizing stability and balance.

Temple Tower (Shikhara or Vimana):

The Shikhara should be directly above the deity in the Garbhagriha, proportionate to the size of the temple. It should taper upwards, symbolizing the ascent to the heavens.

Mandapa (Assembly Hall) Position:

The Mandapa, where devotees gather, should be placed in front of the Garbhagriha. It should be spacious and well-lit, allowing for the flow of positive energy. The Mandapa may have pillars that are symmetrically placed, and the roof should allow for adequate ventilation and light.

Open Space:

The temple should have ample open space around it, particularly in the east and north directions, allowing for the unobstructed flow of energy. Planting sacred trees like Peepal or Neem within the temple grounds is considered auspicious. These trees should be planted in the northwest or southeast corners of the temple grounds.

Natural Light and Ventilation:

The temple should be designed to allow maximum natural light, particularly from the east, to enter the sanctum and other parts of the temple with adequate ventilation to maintain the purity and freshness of the temple environment.

Altar Placement:

The altar should be placed in the northeast or east direction of the temple to align with the energy flow of the space.

Cleanliness:

Last but not the least is the cleanliness. The area around the temple should be kept clean and free from clutter (offered flowers and prasad of previous day) as cleanliness is an important factor in channelizing the energy and considered essential for maintaining the sanctity of the temple.

Could the guidelines for temple construction be compromised?

All the factors mentioned above play an important role in maintaining the energy flow in the temple. Picking up factors that are convenient to imbue, like putting Peepal, Amla or Neem trees, digging wells, or chanting 24/7, is only less than halfway to the goal. To understand this, let’s consider a simple analogy — One can discuss regarding the visit of Prime Minister or President of the country’, sitting nicely at home without being bothered but the real visit demands a code of conduct suitable for the position, dignity and honor of the highest level along with obligatory procedures. But when the question arises to invite the God Almighty to reside in a temple, we tend to take things easy and at convenience. These dual standards and mentality not only degrade but also question the faith as well as the religion of the followers.

Why do temples need to be built in auspicious locations and not in any random places like streets or residential colonies?

The Vastu Shastra emphasizes that temples should be built in locations that are spiritually charged, peaceful, and conducive to worship.

Building a temple in an auspicious location is believed to enhance spiritual experiences and improve the efficacy of prayers. The focus is on creating a space that facilitates a connection with the divine.

There are specific guidelines that focus on the orientation, layout, proportions, and environment of the temple, all of which contribute to creating a sacred space that resonates with divine energy. Following these principles is believed to enhance the temple’s spiritual power, bringing peace, prosperity, and spiritual fulfillment to those who visit.

Temples with Spiritual Connection:

1. Varanasi (Kashi Vishwanath Temple): Located in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India, is one of the oldest and most sacred cities in Hinduism, situated on the banks of the Ganges River. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the temple is believed to be located where the god resides. The Ganges is considered a sacred river that purifies the soul, and dying in Varanasi is believed to lead to moksha (liberation).
2. Tirumala (Venkateswara Temple): Located in Tirumala, Andhra Pradesh, India, it is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and situated on the Tirumala Hills, part of the Eastern Ghats. The location is believed to be where Lord Vishnu incarnated to save humanity; the hills are considered sacred.
3. The Shakti Peethas: A group of sacred sites dedicated to the goddess Shakti, representing the divine feminine energy in Hinduism. These sites are spread across the Indian subcontinent.

The Shakti Peethas are believed to be charged with potent spiritual energy, making them centers for healing and spiritual awakening. They are spread across the Indian subcontinent, with many of them located in India. Notable ones include:

Kamakhya Temple (Assam, India): Associated with Sati’s yoni (womb).

Kalighat Temple (West Bengal, India): Associated with Sati’s toes.

Vaishno Devi (Jammu and Kashmir, India): considered a manifestation of Shakti.

Jwalaji Temple (Himachal Pradesh, India): Associated with Sati’s tongue.

Hinglaj Mata (Balochistan, Pakistan): Associated with Sati’s brahmarandhra (part of the head).

Dakshineswar Kali Temple (West Bengal, India): Though not traditionally listed, it’s a highly revered site.

Is it sinful to build a temple in a place that does not fulfill the requirements prescribed by the religious texts?

While there are no direct scriptural references to “Paap” (sin) for building a temple in a commonplace, Hinduism does emphasize dharma i.e. Righteous Conduct. Building a temple that obstructs public pathways, encroaches on public land, or causes inconvenience to others could be seen as violating Dharma, which might have Karmic consequences.

Conclusion:

Temples are considered as microcosms of the universe, and their placement must reflect and enhance cosmic harmony. While the practice of building temples in random locations might seem to deviate from ancient traditions, it reflects the nature of society and their attitude towards religion.

A temple’s true significance comes from its spiritual energy, which makes it a sacred space for worship, reflection, and communion with the divine. Without this energy, it indeed becomes just another building, losing the sacredness that makes it a temple. The spiritual energy is what turns a physical space into a place of divine presence and power, where people can experience something beyond the ordinary.

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