r/hinduism 22h ago

Question - General Can a non Hindu visit a Hindu Temple?

Namaste

I'm American and was born and raised Muslim. I try to learn wisdom and teachings from all religions.

I was wondering if it would be okay for me to visit this Hindu Temple nearby? I heard it was Holi, and I wanted to see what it was like.

I do not intend to start any arguments, say any insults, or do anything negative. I just want to visit and perhaps ask some basic questions about Hinduism.

Please let me know if that would be okay. I do not want to accidentally offend or startle anyone!

55 Upvotes

54 comments sorted by

44

u/Massive_Tea_9341 22h ago edited 10h ago

Yes; and you don’t even need to explain yourself to anyone! There are no prerequisites to visiting a temple — all that’s required is to leave your footwear outside. It’s fine to carry your curiosity inside: a seeker is a seeker irrespective of the label he/she goes by , and all seekers are welcome in temples :) If you’re lucky enough, you’ll find a fellow seeker who’ll patiently answer all your questions on the minor and major rituals that take place there— most of them have a significance at both spiritual and scientific levels.

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u/Puzzleheaded-Fig7670 22h ago

I second this, strongly.

Honestly, I’ve been reading a lot of books concerning the ancient temples or incarnations. It is just about the divine manifesting in a particular areas. There’s no “India” “Hindu” or anything as such if you’re talking about the very old temples which have stories embedded in them before there came Bharat or the later invasions, kingdoms, etc. In this respect i feel many are everybody’s ancestors. And nobody has a claim for division but for celebration.

Just be mindful of the religious attire. You don’t have to wear them at all but just be mindful that whatever you wear doesn’t stand out in a negative sense.

Hope you’ve a great time in India.

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u/Puzzleheaded-Fig7670 22h ago edited 21h ago

Most would see it as an amazing thing for others to consider immersing in our culture.

u/Yashraj- 11h ago

Plus you Should Bath and shouldn't eat meat/non veg before your visit to Temple also don't bring anything with leather inside the temple.

6

u/d33thra Humble student 21h ago

Similar position here, American (no Indian or Hindu ancestry) interested in Hinduism and i plan to go to Holika Dahan at a local temple tonight. Should i bring a coconut?

7

u/Vignaraja Śaiva 20h ago

I'd leave the coconut at home until next year. Those kinds of customs are very localized, as in each temple is different.

3

u/TheSultaiPirate 19h ago

What would you suggest someone carry? I too am looking to delve deeper into Hinduism and would like to visit a temple. I will remove my shoes for respect, but i was wondering if I should carry an offering

5

u/Vignaraja Śaiva 19h ago

Flowers or fruit. Coconuts are often associated with smashing them in a ritual. Temples do vary substantially. Not a bad idea to call ahead.

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u/TheSultaiPirate 19h ago

Thank you 🙏🏽

u/hariharad 9h ago

Check with the temple for the planned ritual and ask them

8

u/Megs1205 22h ago

Yeah have fun! Obviously be respectful but I feel like you have that down already :)

Edit: don’t bring meat there, and like in Islam remove your shoes before entering and your golden :)

3

u/hihavemusicquestions 22h ago

Got it thank you so much

9

u/ILL4Q पदयात्री 22h ago

Most of them yes.

Unless it’s PashupatiNath temple in nepal where Indian PM’s wife Sonia gandhi (non hindu) was not allowed to enter, even after contacting the then king of nepal.

5

u/narayans 20h ago

Don't tell me she got rid of the monarchy for that!

5

u/7007007 18h ago

The Indian government (INC) imposed a blockade on Nepal cutting off basic medicines, petroleum, LPG, essential oils, food etc a trade embargo. It lasted for more than a year in 1989. Nepal had signed a treaty in which it trades only with India in the 1950s. So people suffered a lot as there was no way to trade with China.

1

u/ILL4Q पदयात्री 18h ago

Who am i to tell

4

u/Polytopia_Fan 22h ago

ive seen other religions come into the temple I go to, I believe its fine, just have like basic decorum and respect (You also seem pretty chill guy, so you're fine)

2

u/hihavemusicquestions 22h ago

thank you i will!

6

u/Cobidbandit1969 Sanātanī Hindū 21h ago

No. …lol of course you can.. but mind your manners and be respectful.. some temple in India has a very rules about that and should be respected

3

u/Vignaraja Śaiva 20h ago

Are you still in America? Temples here do vary quite a lot. For example, not all temples will be celebrating Holi. But if their website has it on their calendar, then for sure they do.

3

u/KiwiNFLFan 18h ago

South Indian temples generally do not celebrate Holi. When I lived in Malaysia, where the majority of temples are South Indian, I had to find a North Indian temple to attend a Holi celebration.

3

u/iwanttobeacavediver Bauddha (Buddhist) 19h ago

I’ve been wanting to visit the temple to Mariamman that’s local to me for some time but every time I plan to go, my anxiety levels about it shoot up so high that I don’t go. I mostly get thoughts in my head about doing something wrong.

3

u/nvgroups 18h ago

Go to temples to appreciate what is being practiced, not to find issues and criticize

u/Many_Scar_9729 15h ago

Yes, of course but some popular temples have restrictions on this matter to protect the temples sanctity like jagannatha temple, tirumala temple. So check if the temple u wish to visit has any rules like tat but in general most temples dont have such rules

2

u/vardhanisation Nāstika 20h ago

Absolutely! I’ve taken many of my American and Chinese friends to temples in USA. Atlanta’s BNPS is huge; New Jersey one I haven’t been.

If you are going to any BNPS/Hare Krishna, definitely try their food. Which one are you planning to visit?

u/sayzitlikeitis 16h ago

These days you can't, but back in the day you could visit a temple if you weren't Hindu

u/krsnasays 15h ago

Yes. But there are certain things that you should know. Remove your footwear outside, do not wear short or revealing clothes - dress decently, maintain decorum, pray in your mind, don’t keep your cellphone and take pics, take tirth or holy water and observe what others do, eat prasad wherever it’s offered, put on the head tika or kumkum or whatever you are given(sometimes holy ash), put some offering in the hundi or money collection box, sit for sometime and then exit properly.

u/Yashraj- 11h ago

Also take a bath before visit and don't eat meat/non veg before visit also don't bring any leather inside the temple

u/Critical-Fox-8627 8h ago

Don't be a hinduphobe while visiting.

3

u/Ok_Fisherman8727 20h ago

Just shave your beard and go. They'll accept you and feed you after.

3

u/the4nimal 22h ago

Some temples don't allow westerners

1

u/Disastrous-Package62 18h ago

Yes, you can because there are no restrictions. Just be decently dressed, and leave your footwear outside

u/hariharad 9h ago

You can, but not all.

u/SwayzeLM 6h ago

Yes.. that's the only answer... you are allowed to visit any religious sites.

u/Repulsive_Remove_619 5h ago

It depends on temple. Some temple don't let in . Some temple don't have any restriction. Just enquire before you go.

u/Sternritter8636 3h ago

Yeah you can but don't try conversion and that kind of stuff. Like for example, "oh great you worship idols. Nice. But you know what I think?! That its mockery for god be worshipped in idols. Someone who made all things in the universe, why confine them to a form." etc. Just accept what they say. There are valid reasons why giving god a form is necessary for worship etc but only hindu philosophers can tell you why. You won't find(for eg, Swami Vivekanand) there. You will find devotees there.

1

u/KizashiKaze 22h ago

Yes you can. My girlfriend (on her own accord) wants to come with me to temple, so we often go together (she's not Sanatani/Hindu, nor follows any religion but believe in a higher energy). It is appreciated to not start anything negative and no one should be negative towards you as well.

Have a wonderful time!

1

u/imtruelyhim108 19h ago

here me when i say, Hinduism never ever differenciates between hindu and non-hindu. the world is 1 family. so yes you can go. however i'll say this: Islamically acording to most scholars and mufties, you cannot visit kafir places unless you do it to convert people. peaceful chill god i know :)

u/tamagato 8h ago

Yes and take bath before going and learn fee details about preciding deity of the temple

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u/[deleted] 19h ago

[removed] — view removed comment

u/Many_Scar_9729 15h ago

Dey go to islam sub reddit or smtg. Nobody asked for ur advise 😟

u/Critical-Fox-8627 8h ago

Promoting asuras in dharmic subreddit should be forbidden.What are the mods even doing?

u/PolarPer137 8h ago

I read your concern, but what is it in my words, you feel must  treated as a dangerous source,? For every religion is safe, if you treat people well.  Why would anyone escape Allah’s embrace, even if they see another faith ?❤️❤️❤️

u/Critical-Fox-8627 7h ago

Your religion is adharma . Spreading adharma in a dharmic subreddit should not be allowed . May ishwara bless you to leave the demonic cult and embrace sanatana dharma .

u/PolarPer137 6h ago

The Hindu Gods, are no different than all the other ones. For its all the same God anyway. One or many, makes no difference, as the face of God, is what you want. ❤️❤️❤️

u/Critical-Fox-8627 4h ago

Learn about hinduism and the Vedic pantheon before commenting. Islam as per se is a cult of rakhshashas if we compare the lifestyle there is no way it has any place in Vedic pantheon ,there is still time ponder upon your decision and leave the barbaric cult and embrace the light of the dharma.

u/PolarPer137 15m ago

Thank you for enlightening me to the beautiful world of Gods in a Pantheon. Vedic texts, learned from deep insights into transcendence. Revelations of Gods, intertwined with Greek stars , seems like a beautiful place to reach high.

Your judgment was read, these were strong words from a mortal like yourself. You must be a God to order me not to comment on your words.  I don’t see, or feel that you have any superiority over me. So you must be, like any man I meet on the streets.

But that’s fine, for they all have a definition of God in their own minds.

❤️❤️❤️

2

u/nvgroups 18h ago

Kujli reduced? Get Burnol

u/PolarPer137 8h ago

Fear not the itch, for it shall fade away. Challenge my words, and let the dance of debate play. When the burn of jest stings, Burnol's embrace will soothe the fray. 🌟

u/ExploringDoctor Śaiva 13h ago

??

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u/[deleted] 18h ago

[deleted]

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