proper attire for westerner entering temple?

[mfisher]

Nameste to all,

I'm new to posting here. I'm grateful that such a forum exists as I am exploring this wonderful spiritual path.

I feel that I'm ready to go to a Temple but should I dress a certain way to be respectful? I am a white woman. I have been unable to reach anyone by phone there.

Thanks to all,

Seva

[Believer]

Welcome to the forum.
I will let some of the female members guide you on the dress code for temples; although in general, a pair of pants and a tunic with long sleeves would do.
Good luck!

[Eastern Mind]

Vannakkam mfisher: Welcome to HDF. The main thing I advise western friends when they come on their curiousity trip to the temple I attend is modesty. If there is an Indian clothing store anywhere near you the owners there would gladly help you out with a suit. Saris can be very difficult at first, and I wouldn't suggest it. Still it you're daring almost any Indian woman, shops or otherwise, would be willing to help.

At most South Indian style temples, women traditionally wear saris, whilst at most North Indian style temples, its more suits (salwar kameez) which you can even purchase on line if you do a search. There are no hard and fast rules in any temple I know of, but there might be in some. Best wishes and let us know how it goes. If you tell us which city (optional of course), someone here might know someone or be nearby themselves.

Aum namasivaya

[c.smith]

A side note - many mandirs request that leather item not be worn or entered into the temple.

[Believer]

EM, Is an investment in a Salvar-kameez or a Sari really necessary for a first visit to a temple to get one's feet wet?
I hope you don't own a clothing store.

Originally Posted by Eastern Mind

..... almost any Indian woman, shops or otherwise, would be willing to help.

OP's coming to this forum and making a post with the question, tells me that she is not in contact with "any Indian woman", and is not familiar with any India specific clothing stores that may be in the vicinity.

Bottom line is modesty and the comfort with which one can sit on the ground with the clothing one has on; specific pieces of clothing worn in a North Indian style or a South Indian style, or any other style of Hindu temple is immaterial.

[Eastern Mind]

Vannakkam mfisher: So it really depends on how far you want to look like you fit in... it's your decision, and yours alone. No one will mind if its modest. Suits and saris can be quite inexpensive or very expensive, so the 'investment' as another poster pointed out is relative to your own financial situation. I was just pointing out that you may feel better about it that way. So much depends on the individual's take on the matter. It's certainly not necessary. Personally I would just advise to just go, and see how you feel. There are some temples nowadays where just about anything goes, but that saddens many of us. If it all goes well, you may become a regular there.

Aum Namasivaya

[mfisher]

Thank you for your replies...

I'm actually looking at 2 temples near Washington, DC. One is the Hindu Temple of Washington DC. The other is the Sri Siva Vishnu Temple in Lanham, Maryland. They both offer a lot of educational opportunites as well as spiritual services.

If anyone is familiar with either Temple and can give me an idea of what the dress is, it would be appreciated.

Seva
Melissa

[Believer]

Miss M,

General Notes:
1. Don't expect an official greeter at the door. In Hindu temples, one goes to the temple to greet the Lord. Don't interpret a general lack of acknowledgement of your presence as unfriendliness.
2. Visit more than one temple, if possible. Once, you are comfortable at one of them and feel that you have found "a home", you can observe how the females dress and emulate them, if you so desire.
3. In most temples, females sit on one side of the alter and the males on the other. Seat yourself with the right gender side.
4. Temples serve prasadam (food sanctified by the Lord) after the service. It could vary from a small serving of some sweets to a full meal. Do partake in that. If the Prasadam is a sit-down full meal, then that is the time to socialize with other people on the table, and ask questions about whatever is on your mind regarding the etiquette.
5. Perseverance is the key to cultivating familiarity and being accepted as part of the congregation. A Westerner has to prove that their visit(s) to the temple is/are not just a passing phase before people warm up to them.
6. Western oriented ISKCON (Hare Krishna) temples or the the Siva temples run by the Himalayan Academy, or (whatever else is out there) operate a little differently than the Indian run Hindu temples, and have more Western devotees.
7. Even if your first visit to a temple is not as exciting/uplifting/inspiring as expected, give it few more tries. Sometimes, the newness takes longer to become routine.

Hope somebody from the two temples that you intend to visit will post some more helpful hints.

[Eastern Mind]

Vannakam mfisher:

You're lucky to have such choices. You can go and compare. The styles will be quite different, as one is typical North, and the other is typical South, so if you do go to both, you'll get a well rounded feeling.

One day I want to pilgrimage to a third temple nearby, the Murugan temple of North America, as Murugan calls me personally. But that's just me. There are also the basic two choices of 1) when there is no crowd, and 2) when there is a crowd. Both have advantages and disadvantages. In 1 it is more likely the priest or pundit may be able to talk to you, and you won't be distracted by people, but in 2 you get to watch what others do, and feel the energy of the bhaktars around you. Have fun.

At Believer: Great advice.

Aum Namasivaya

[mfisher]

Namaste,

Thank you for your kind replies. Your information was exactly what I was looking for! I am very excited for my first visit...

Seva
Melissa