Hindu temple etiquette: what Australia’s temples themselves ask of first-time visitors

On its etiquette page, the Sri Venkateswara Temple at Helensburgh, NSW, tells visitors: “You do not have to practice the Hindu religion to visit the Temple.” The same page says the sanctum sanctorum, “where the idol of the deity resides”, is closed to all but the priests. Helensburgh is one of several Australian temples that publish their Hindu temple etiquette online, as lists of what to wear, what to leave at the door and what not to touch. This guide draws only on what six temples in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane have put in writing.

Where the Hindu temple etiquette lists overlap

Footwear comes off at Helensburgh, which calls removing it “not just a sign of respect, but also for cleanliness and humility”. The Shree Laxminarayan Mandir in Brisbane, Hare Krishna Melbourne, the Sydney Murugan Temple and Sri Mandir at Auburn ask the same. The BAPS visitor page does not mention footwear.

Each temple addresses clothing, and the standards differ. The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir at Kemps Creek, NSW, asks that “Tops must cover the shoulders, midriff, and chest” and “Bottoms must extend below the knees”. Hare Krishna Melbourne says clothing “that covers shoulders and knees is appreciated”. Helensburgh says Indian dress is not necessary but visitors must be “modestly covered at all times”, and its dress-code graphics put a red line through shorts, sleeveless tops and short skirts. Caps and sunglasses are on its list of don’ts, the Murugan temple says “Hats are to be taken off inside the Temple”, and Sri Mandir lists hats and caps among things prohibited inside its premises.

Phones go silent or off at Helensburgh, Burbank and Albert Park; the Murugan temple says they “should not be used”, and Sri Mandir prohibits their use. Helensburgh prohibits smoking, alcohol, drugs and non-vegetarian food anywhere on or near the site, and Sri Mandir prohibits the same inside its premises. BAPS says alcohol, tobacco, cigarettes and vapes “are strictly prohibited”. The Brisbane mandir bans smoking, vaping and alcohol, and entering “in an intoxicated state”. Pets are not permitted at Helensburgh, Kemps Creek, Burbank or Auburn, and Hare Krishna Melbourne admits only registered assistance animals.

Photography: the rules differ by temple

Helensburgh lists “No Photos/Videos” and prohibits “Unauthorised Photography of any kind”. The Murugan temple says “No Photo or Video recording allowed”, and Sri Mandir lists photography among activities prohibited inside its premises. BAPS sets a rule only for professional work: “Photography and videography (commercial and/or media purposes) require prior approval”, and the precinct “is a no drone zone”. Hare Krishna Melbourne’s etiquette list allows a “Photo without flash”.

Sri Venkateswara Temple, Helensburgh

The temple at 1 Temple Road, Helensburgh, opens from 8 am to 12 pm and 4 pm to 7 pm on weekdays, and 8 am to 7 pm on weekends, public holidays and festival days. Its etiquette page says it is customary to walk clockwise around the sanctum sanctorum or the temple. After the puja, according to the page, the priest offers a spoonful of holy water, which “is accepted with a cupped right hand, sipped and then the right palm is touched to the forehead”. Prasad, “generally a fruit or a sweet”, is accepted “reverentially with a cupped right hand before eating”. While sitting after the puja, the page adds, the feet should not point toward any of the deities.

BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Kemps Creek

The BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Hindu Mandir and Cultural Precinct at 230 Aldington Road, Kemps Creek, is open “7:00 am to 8:00 pm” daily, according to its visitor information page, and “All visitors must register at the Information Desk upon arrival”. Aarti at the Sacred Shrine is at 7:15 am and 7:00 pm. Headwear or accessories with “political messages, provocative imagery, or inappropriate symbols” are to be avoided, but “Religious headwear is welcomed”. Visitors whose attire does not meet the standard “may be asked to adjust their clothing or may be denied entry”. Visitors are asked not to touch or lean on the carved artwork or structures, “as they are delicate and sacred”.

Sydney Murugan Temple, Mays Hill

The Sydney Murugan Temple at 217 Great Western Highway, Mays Hill, publishes eleven conditions of entry. Touching the deities is “strictly prohibited”, silence “must be observed at all times”, and oil lamps may be left only in designated areas outside, never inside the temple. Children must be supervised by adults at all times, and “Wearing cultural attire is recommended and appreciated”. Anyone uncertain about the rules, rituals or procedures is invited to approach a temple volunteer.

Hare Krishna Melbourne, Albert Park

Hare Krishna Melbourne, at 197 Danks Street, Albert Park, is open from 4:30 am to 9:30 pm daily. Its page for new visitors asks them to ring the large bell at the entrance, which the temple calls “a gentle way of announcing your presence and seeking permission to enter, like ringing a friend’s doorbell”. It then suggests a simple namaste to the murti of Srila Prabhupada, whom the website calls its “Founder Acharya”, and says visitors may sit anywhere on the carpeted floor. The etiquette list has five items: speak softly, keep phones silent, keep children supervised, “Finish what you honour”, and photo without flash. Asked whether one needs to be Hindu or religious to visit, the page answers “Not at all”. Entry is free, as are the daily meals and weekend feasts, which the temple says are vegetarian with “no meat, fish, eggs, onion or garlic”.

Shree Laxminarayan Mandir, Burbank

The Shree Laxminarayan Mandir at 46 Daymar Street, Burbank, is run by the Hindu Mandir Association of Queensland Inc. Its history page says the temple has operated since its deities were installed in April 2004, and its rules, authorised by the management committee on 16 August 2010, run to 23 numbered points. The dress rule is worded as a recommendation that “would be appreciated”: trousers and a shirt or traditional Hindu attire for men, and a sari, salwar kameez or “appropriate demure clothing” for women, who are also asked to cover their heads. No food or drink may be consumed inside except the prashad and charanamrit served by the priest, unless the committee and priest approve, and all food served is sattvik, which the rules define as “vegetarian with no garlic and onions”.

Sri Mandir, Auburn

Sri Mandir, at 286 Cumberland Road, Auburn, was established in 1977, according to its history page, which describes it as the oldest Hindu temple in Australia. Its dress code page states: “There is no strict dress code.” It adds that “short or revealing clothes are generally frowned upon” and encourages clothes such as a suit, saree, trousers or lungi. Its do’s and don’ts page asks visitors to maintain silence, to leave footwear in the designated area and not to touch or pick plants in the gardens.

Darshan, aarti, prasad and pradakshina

Darshan, from the Sanskrit for “viewing”, is “the beholding of a deity (especially in image form), revered person, or sacred object”, in Britannica’s definition. Aarti, which Britannica spells arti, is described there as the waving of lighted lamps before an image of a deity. Prasad, which Britannica spells prasada, is food and water offered to a deity during worship; Britannica says it is believed that the deity “partakes of and then returns the offering, thereby consecrating it”. Hare Krishna Melbourne renders its own term, prasadam, as “Krishna’s mercy”. Britannica defines pradakshina as “the rite of circumambulating in a clockwise direction an image, relic, shrine, or other sacred object”.

Why the temples say they ask

Several temples give reasons in their own words. Helensburgh says feet pointing toward a deity are considered disrespectful to the deity. Sri Mandir calls removing footwear “not only a sign of respect” and says it is also believed to mean “forgetting the outside world”. The Murugan temple’s conditions of entry close by thanking visitors for their “respect for our sacred space”, and Hare Krishna Melbourne says that “Only an open heart and a spirit of respect are asked”. Several also point newcomers to people on site: the Murugan temple to its volunteers, Sri Mandir to “the temple staff”, and Hare Krishna Melbourne to a reception area “where volunteers are available to answer questions”. Each temple’s own page sets out the standard that applies at its door.