@thankskrishna

3 months ago

The practice of temple worship and the importance of temples in Sanatan Vedic Hindu Dharma are documented in various shastras, including the Puranas, Agamas, and epics. Here are some important references to temples:
1. Rigveda:
• The Rigveda has references to “Yajnas” and “Yajna Kunds,” which are ancient forms of places for rituals and worship. The idea of setting up a sacred space for worship in the form of fire altars or sacrificial grounds is a precursor to temple worship.
2. Atharvaveda:
• In the Atharvaveda (10.7.40), there are references to buildings dedicated to worship. This signifies the early concept of setting up sacred spaces for the divine, evolving later into temples.
3. Ramayana:
• The Valmiki Ramayana refers to temples and shrines dedicated to Shiva and other deities. For example, in the Ayodhya Kanda, Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana visit temples dedicated to Shiva and other gods during their exile.
• Kishkindha Kanda describes how Hanuman and the Vanaras pray at temples before setting off for Lanka.
4. Mahabharata:
• The Mahabharata describes Krishna and other characters visiting temples and shrines, such as during the pilgrimage to Prabhasa Tirtha, where they visit temples dedicated to Shiva and Vishnu.
• The epic also describes the Pandavas’ visits to various temples, showing the prevalence of temple worship.
5. Puranas:
• Skanda Purana: This Purana extensively details various temples and holy places across India. It describes the glory of temples like Kashi Vishwanath, the Kamakhya Temple, and many other jyotirlinga sites, giving guidance for pilgrims.
• Vishnu Purana: Contains references to temples dedicated to Vishnu and mentions the importance of visiting and worshiping at temples for spiritual benefits.
• Shiva Purana: Describes the significance of temples dedicated to Shiva, particularly the twelve Jyotirlinga temples, and explains the rituals and merits of visiting them.
• Devi Bhagavata Purana: Discusses temples dedicated to the Goddess (Shakti) and highlights famous Shakti Peethas, such as Vaishno Devi, Kamakhya, and others.
6. Agamas and Tantras:
• The Agamas (Shaiva, Vaishnava, and Shakta) are foundational texts for temple construction, architecture, and rituals. They provide precise guidelines for building temples, consecrating idols, and performing worship.
• The Vaishnava Agamas (Pancharatra and Vaikhanasa) and Shaiva Agamas detail the architectural layout, inner sanctum structure, and idol placement, emphasizing temples as places for spiritual elevation.
• The Kamaikya Tantra and other Shakta texts describe the worship of the Divine Mother in sacred sites (Shakti Peethas), many of which have become famous temples.
7. Manusmriti:
• Manusmriti encourages visiting temples and pilgrimage sites as a means of accruing punya (merit). It does not go into the specifics of temple worship but endorses the concept of sacred spaces and pilgrimage as an essential part of one’s dharma.
8. Bhagavata Purana:
• The Bhagavata Purana describes the worship of Krishna and Vishnu in temples, especially emphasizing temple rituals and the building of temples as a means of devotion and bhakti.
• The story of Dhruva, for instance, showcases devotion at specific places of worship and the importance of temples as focal points for divine encounters.
9. Brihat Samhita by Varahamihira:
• This ancient text provides architectural guidelines for building temples, including measurements, directions, and layout. It serves as a reference for many traditional temple builders in India.

These scriptures provide the framework and spiritual basis for temple worship, viewing temples as not just architectural entities but as sacred spaces where devotees connect with the divine presence.

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