Mandir

Purpose of Mandir

Most of us go to temple because of fear or greed. However, that is not the main purpose of temples. It provides a sacred place where people can gather on equal footing i.e., there is no rich or poor, strong or weak person, all are equal in front of the God.

For individual or family pooja, most families still have Kul-Devta as well as 1 or more murthees at home. Mandirs were made for social activities mostly, not that individuals couldn’t do pooja in mandir.

The pujari was [should be] of very high moral value. The rich people would express their gratitude to the God by secretly donating wealth in the garv-grih through channels made to it from back of the garv-grih. The pujari wouldn’t know until the box is opened. The pujari had close relationship with all families in the society and knew situation of each one. He would use this wealth to support needy family privately. This process saved the rich person from superiority complex and the needy family from inferiority complex. The rich person donated to express gratitude and the needy family received the help as prasad.

Having a donation box in Mandir is an insult to the Deity in the temple, it seems that the deity is asking for help from people visiting the temple.

Mandirs had and should have [which has been taken away by Government] following purposes as well:

• Education center
• Charity Source
• Issue Resolution Center
• Community Development Center
• Uniting Place

Sanaatan society values modesty, simplicity and sacrifice. Hence, we find most Sanaatani kings and kingdoms built large temples instead of large palaces.

Apart from mandirs dedicated to a deity [God], temples have also been built to pay respect to great Saints, Natural features, Avtars and Mahapurush.