Indian Etiquette

by admin on July 28, 2008

Use your right hand to eat or pass money. The left hand is considered unclean.
Don’t point the soles of your feet or shoes towards another person or sacred object. Never touch anyone with your feet.
Avoid public displays of affection.
Shaking hands, hugging or kissing is not done when greeting others. When in doubt, just follow the other person’s lead.

Remove your shoes before entering temple.
Ladies should not go to temple when menstruating.
At the temple entrance, perform “namaste” by joining the hands together at the heart and bowing.
Do not touch carvings or statues of deities.
“Kumkum” powder or vermilion is placed on the forehead between the eyebrows, which is the seat of memory and thinking – the third eye known as the ajna chakra. This “tilaka” mark is a representation of God’s blessing.
Holy temple water is often given to drink. If you prefer not to drink the water, it is acceptable to place it on your head or heart.
Flowers given by the priests are kept as a sign of blessing from God. Girls often wear them in their hair.
“Pradakshina” is performed by walking around the temple at least five times clockwise. This is done to recognize God as the center point.
Take “mangalarathi” by warming your face or body with the fire kept in front of the deities.
If you like, you may sit to meditate or recite “shlokas,” stanza or verse of a prayer to deities, before leaving the temple. There are often different areas of the temple for men and women, which will be obvious.