Entering the Temple

(1) One should not enter the temple of the Deity in a car or palanquin or with shoes on the feet.

In India it is still the prevalent custom that one put his shoes in a specified place and then enter the temple barefoot after washing his feet. [CC Ädi 7.59 Purport]

(2) One should not enter the temple wearing garments of red or blue color.

Madhudviña: Why is it an offense to wear red or blue clothing in the Kåñëa temple? That's what she thinks.

Prabhupäda: Oh. (laughs) Because it is red and blue. Is that all right?

Çélavaté: Because the temple red and blue?

Prabhupäda: You see, you have to accept the Vedic injunction as it is. There is some meaning which may not be explained immediately, but because it is so enjoined, we have to accept it. Just like the conchshell. The conchshell is the bone of an animal. Now in the Vedas it is said that if you touch the bone of an animal or human being, you have to take bath immediately to purify yourself. Now, this conchshell is also a bone of an animal. Now, it is kept in the Deities' room. Now, if you say, "The bone of an animal is impure. How it is that it is kept in the Deities' room?" So actually it is being done. Why it is being done? Because it is injunction of the Vedas. Similarly, all such injunctions we have to accept, but there is meaning. There is meaning, and that may not be understood immediately. That doesn't matter. So if, instead of red garment, if you take this saffron, what is harm to you? So you should accept the injunction.

(3) One should not enter the temple wearing garments which are unwashed.

(4) One should not enter the temple in a contaminated state.

According to Vedic scripture, if someone dies in the family the whole family becomes contaminated for some time, according to its status. For example, if the family is brähmaëa their contamination period is twelve days, for the kñatriyas and vaiçyas it is fifteen days, and for çüdras thirty days.

(a) One should not enter the temple after seeing a dead body.

(b) One should not enter the temple after touching a dead body.

(c) One should not enter the temple after visiting a crematorium.

(5) One should not enter the temple of the Deity without first making some sound.

There must be a big bell hanging in front of the temple room so that whoever comes into the room can ring the bell. This item is called prabodhana, or offering oneself submissively to the Lord. This is the first item. The visitor must chant “Jaya Çré Rädhä-Govinda!” or “Jaya Çré Rädhä-Mädhava!” when he rings the bell. In either case, the word jaya must be uttered. [CC Madhya 24.334 Purport]

(6) One should not enter the Deity room or touch the body of the Deity after having smeared oil over his body. 

(7) One should not belch before the Deity. So, until one has fully digested his food, he should not enter the temple.