Temple Visit -
Rockfort temple, Sri Rengganathar temple, Tirumala Temple, Tirutani temple, and Trichi Amman Temple.
what we know about temples in India? What is that so special about them, we here in Malaysia have many temples built as well, but why the majority of Indian have strong desire that they must pay pilgrimage at least once in the lifetime, not wrong to say that some having the privilege to go on pilgrimage on annual basis.
What I have seen from visiting temples in South India and comparing them with Malaysian temples.
Temples in Malaysia
Normally will have one main deity with many sub deities and will have navagrahas (nine planets).
temple operating time from 6am to 9.30am, thereafter from 7pm to 9pm, in between there will be special poojas and rituals for devotees. most of the temples have washing place in front as it is our tradition to wash our legs and hands before entering the main temple.
Temples in India
most of the temple will be for that special deity. other deities(if any) will be at different gopuram as mainly the temples will be huge and few hours is not enough to round it all. most of the temples operates 5.30am to 11am, thereafter from 6pm to 11pm, but some temple like tirumala just close for few hours in the wee morning.
during our visits, we hardly find the place to wash our legs and notice majority of locals just open their shoes and goes in. it seems like the matter is venial. the retailers around the temple will fervently chase you for their sale, mainly flowers and pooja items, whereas in Malaysia, the devotees have to wait for the retailers, haha.
another thing we notice in South Indian temples was the absence of Navagrahas. they have separate temple for each and individual grahas there, unlike in Malaysia, each and every temple have navagrahas and we can say it plays an important role for temples economic growth. I am not being despicable, just elaborate what my humble eyes witnesses.
temple priest in south india have a very sharp instinct, they can easily differentiate the locals and group of tourist, as most of the temple we went, we were given a special care. we got the chance to stand and get the direct view of the deity whereas the locals standing in the lines, we were given special garlands, and shown the priority.
security wise, south indian temples portrait high level of security, they will check your bag and handphone and any camera type device is not allowed. in Tirumala, they even check individuals, one by one by their offices as if in airports. so those who carry a lot of gadgets, please leave them all in the car or else, you will not be permitted to enter in.
overall, we were very happy to have the chance to visit the south Indian temples and will go again if future permits.
My favourite place, need to take 300++stairs to visit this rockfort temple, but the breeze we got up there, make me forget the tiredness in a glance. I don't mind to climb it everyday if I am staying in Trichy.
another special place where a church, temple and mosque, 3 undera same roof. the place is located at the hill towards tirumala temple.
