Why make mandir ?
• Mandir (temple) is a place where one gets peace. The negative thoughts get wiped out, positive vibration is received. Balance in life starts appearing.
• First devotee enters in mandir parisar (compound). With right construction, there is balance of negative & positive forces in mandir parisar through various mudras. Negative force goes out through left and positive force comes in through right. Thus entrance for mandir parisar should be on right side so that positive vibes come. When devotee enters mandir parisar, negativity should disappear.
• Mandir should be in the shape of a ling mudra.
• The Garbh (inner sanctum) is in shape of a ling. Entry in the garbh should not be for all . It is pure place. Menstruation is not a criteria for purity. Negative thoughts & negative feelings should not be allowed. Garbh should be octagonal or circular. Octagonal for four direction & four corners. If not possible should be circular. In the centre of the garbh should ma siddhi chakra always keep harnessing & generating energy.
• Bhairav is at gate of garbh on left to prevent negative forces from entering, He faces right to protect the positive side of temple. He is gate keeper of garbh.
• Ganpati is on right of gate of garbh. He is worshipped first (pratham poojniya). He prevents obstructions (vighna) from entering into the garbh. He faces left to keep a watch on the world (sansaar).
• Continuous lamp is kept in garbh to keep constant light of god shining in the world.
• The interlocked fingers represent the Gandharavas & kinnars doing dance mudra. This creates magnetic balance.
• Gandharvas – are watchmen and protectors.
• Kinnars are in between devas & humans. They have some characteristics of both – some power of deva and some emotions of human. However, they can use their power only by the human desire. They can take any formMandirs usually have images of dance mudras. There may also be sex mudras. [In Khajuraho temples, sex mudra do not denote vaasna (lust) but are positions to attain spiritual peak.]
• Yaksh – means half humans & half animal. They are also for protection. They are also on top of mandir.
• Colours are also in form of rainbow so they also create balance. Each colour creates balance of one particular rhythm. All colour together become white.
• Bell – sound aum is created which creates aura for mediation, removes negative thoughts & creates positive vibration. When one enters mandir, one should ring the bell.
• Bell should be amalgamation of various metals – copper, iron, brass, silver, gold, and clay. It should be placed at entrance of temple on centre. (neither left or right)
• There should be no pillars. It disturbs the harmony.
• There should be 3 shikhars (Spires above the temple)- one of the main deity, one of Lord ganesha & one for the third deity.
• The main spire should have either 5 of 7 peaks to cover the 5 or 7 chakras in the body.
• Stairs to the temple should be 9. It is a complete figure. When a devotee climbs the stairs, it means step towards completion.
• Aarti means aahvan (invitation) to God to come.
• By the time, devotee enters and reaches up to garbha (inner sanctum), lot of changes take place and then whatever he brings for GOD- he gets grace. With grace everything gets wiped out.
• When you give something to God, there should be no bhaav (emotion) of asking anything in return If you ask you will get but it will be limited. When grace flows automatically, it can be unlimited.
- These are topics of various aspects of spirituality as told by Para.