Rules To Be Observed Inside Temples

• Do not wear footwear inside temple premises.
• Do not enter temple premises in a vehicle.
• Before entering the temple, do its parikrama (pradakshina) first.
• Parikrama should not be done in a hurry.
• Inside the temple, before doing parikrama, one should always prostrate before the shrine.
• Never step on the shadow of gopura, vimana, walls, or flagpost of the temple; this may be unavoidable while doing parikrama.
• One should wear lower and upper clothes (dhoti) while entering a temple.
• Entering a temple wearing a single cloth or wearing only kaupina is not permissible.
• Stitched clothes such as shirts and caps are not permissible inside temples.
• Weapons are not to be carried inside temples.
• One should not go to a temple empty-handed; some offerings should be taken along.
• Never bring food from outside and eat inside temple premises.
• Never chew betel leaves inside temple premises.
• Always wear a tilaka on the forehead.
• If food is received as prasada from the temple, do not throw the remains or plate recklessly in the temple premises.
• Flatulence should be avoided inside the temple so are possibilities of defecation or urination (especially by children).
• Enter the temple premises only with a steady and pure mind.
• Never enter a temple in an intoxicated condition.
• Never stretch your legs across the entrance to the temple or sleep there.
• Always be humble and erect inside the temple.
• Prayer should not be offered in grief or crying.
• No kind of violence, shouting, insulting, etc. is permissible inside temples.
• Do not gossip or talk needlessly inside temples.
• Worldly discussions should be avoided inside temples.
• Never tell lies inside temples.
• Do not enter into arguments or debates inside temple premises, even about spiritual matters.
• Do not engage in preoccupations such as reading, mobile browsing, etc. inside temples.
• Do not make phone calls inside temple premises.
• One should not boast inside temples.
• Do not praise another human being while being inside a temple.
• One should not greet or bow before another person inside temples.
• Do not sit or stand with your back towards the deity.
• While doing parikrama, the deity should always be on your right.
• One should not try to peep in if the deity is screened off during worship.
• One should not force to open the temple doors if it is closed as part of worship or after worship time.
• One should visit the temple only during permitted timings.
• The salutation should be offered to the deity with both palms joined together, never with a single hand.
• Do not do atma-pradakshina inside temples.
• Do not stretch your legs towards the deity.
• Do not sit on chairs and high seats inside temples.
• Do not sleep or lie down inside temples.