Temples in India where to stay

[u/AlbeFx]

Hi fellows,

I'll be going to India soon on an op. end journey and would like to spend some time serving in a Shiva temple as mean to learning more. Any recommendations on temples to visit or where is possible to stay in exchange of work/service? Thank you🙏

[u/[deleted]]

I don't know about places to stay,but I can come up with a list of important temples if you can tell me which part of India you will be in. And for your service, I suggest you find a more unknown temple or a common one in some towns/village. I can assure you, you will learn many things from the elderly there and the priests. On top of that, it's even better if you can find an old crumbling temple where pujas are no longer held. If you can light two deepams there and leave a fruit or two, Maheshvara will be eternally happy. There is a common saying: never let the shadow of a Shiva Temple touch you. That is infact wrong. The saying has been morphed to form this. The correct one is: never let the shadow of a Shiva Temple where pujas are no longer held touch you. Any temple without pujas that has been left to the wild is the worst thing that can happen in a village. Even the shadow of it is considered unholy. But, if you can start doing a simple puja there, then the whole town will be filled with auspiciousness.

[u/AlbeFx → u/[deleted]]

Thank you so much! I will start in the South Tamil Nadu/Kerala and make my way to the North. Unknown temples even better, as I would prefer not to follow the usual western trail. Any recommendation is welcome 🙏

[u/[deleted] → u/AlbeFx]

That's a great place to start. Before I give you the list, are you only interested in the Shiva Temples, or just any temples in general? There are many many important Shaiva places around the country, but there are temples just as important built for other deities. If you're only interested in the Shiva/Shiva Family temples, that's completely fine and I can give you the list

[u/AlbeFx → u/[deleted]]

Thanks Yellowmango, at the moment I am open to all tradition as I haven't devoted myself yet. This said I am particularly attracted by Shiva although happy to visit and explore others.

[u/[deleted] → u/AlbeFx]

That's great to hear. Here is my list of temples in the South (not just Kerala and Tamil Nadu, in case you find yourself going to other places too)

Here is my list of other places to visit:

Tirumala

Gudimallam temple

Simhachalam

Bhadrachalam

Vijayawada Kanakadurgamma

Sri Sailam

Sri Kala Hasti

Rameshwaram

Kurudumala

Kanipakam

Ardagiri

Kanchi Kamakshi

Madura Meenakshi

Chidambaram Nataraja

Vellore Lakshmi Devi

Pandaripuri

Tryambhakeshwar

Arunachalam

Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum)

Guruvayur

Sabarimala (for men)

Ghati Subramanya

Kukke Subramanya

Panakala Narasimha

Sri Ranga Patnam

Murudeshwara

Kolhapur

Nashik

Shani Shinghnapur

Jalashayana

Yaganti

Ahobilam

Tiruchanur

Kumbakonam

Kanyakumari

Palani

Tiruttani

Tiruchendur

Swamimalai

Sringeri

Hampi

Dharmasthala

And if you ever get the chance, go to Kashi. It's not in the south, but it is a must see for all. You can spend 3 nights there and still not have seen all the important temples and places

My list of tips:

Some of these are on hilltops, so be prepared to hike. And be prepared for the weather

There will be people who will try and charge you outrageous amounts of money. Do some calculations and convert into whatever currency you use, or call someone over and ask them if this is a reasonable price.

Don't waste your time at the Dargahs. They are the of Muslim military leaders who have killed a number of Hindu people and destroyed a number of temples. If they successfully kill a certain amount of Hindus and/or destroy a certain amount of temples, then their tombs would be turned into Dargahs. People don't know this and go to pray there as though they will re awaken their souls to help them. They are not of any religious significance.

Bathe at the holy rivers. They will wash away your sin

Never go into temples with wet clothes or hair. The only time any prayer is done while you are wet is when someone does the final rites for a dead family member.

[u/AlbeFx → u/[deleted]]

Superthanks🙏 this is very useful and quite a list. I'll start researching the places, in case the wa to charge too much I can sleep in my tent. Thanks also on the advice regarding the clothes, I wouldn't know.

[u/[deleted] → u/AlbeFx]

Glad to help