How to Behave in a Hindu Temple

Hindu temples — mandirs — welcome visitors of every background. The etiquette is not complicated, but it is specific, and the details differ from what you may have learned at Buddhist temples in Thailand or Japan.

Shoes come off

Remove your shoes before entering. Most temples have a designated area, sometimes staffed for a small fee. Socks are usually acceptable and worth carrying, since stone floors can be hot.

Dress and body

• Cover shoulders and knees. Modest, loose clothing is the safest choice.
• Do not wear leather items into the inner areas of some temples.
• Never point the soles of your feet at the deity or at another person.
• Do not touch the murti (the sacred image) unless invited.

Moving through the temple

Circumambulation — walking around the shrine — is done clockwise, keeping the sanctum on your right. Follow the crowd if you are unsure. Ring the bell at the entrance if others are doing so, and step aside for worshippers rather than walking through their line of prayer.

Prasad and offerings

Prasad is food that has been blessed at the shrine and is given back to worshippers. Accept it with your right hand, and eat it rather than putting it in your bag — refusing it outright is considered inauspicious.

Photography

Rules vary widely. Some temples forbid cameras entirely, others charge a fee, and a few allow photography everywhere. Look for signage, and never photograph people in prayer. If a priest tells you to stop, stop immediately and apologise.