prasad1
Active member
Please this about the management of HINDU temples alone.
Vedic people did not build temples, nor did they worship images of gods in their abodes. They performed sacrifices and nourished gods through sacrificial ceremonies, during which they might have used images to perform symbolic sacrifices. Although they did not practice idol worship or build temples, elements of Vedism as well Tantrism can be found in the structure and configuration of present day Hindu temples.
Hindu temples are found all over the world, especially in countries where sizeable Hindu population exist such as Pakistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia, Fiji, Mauritius, Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, the Caribbean, Suriname, South Africa, Europe, Australia and North America. The world’s oldest and largest temple is the Angkor vat in Cambodia, while the largest, most recent temple is said to be the Swami Narayan (BAPS) temple at Robbinsville, New Jersey, the United States.
The ownership of the Hindu temples in India is partly guided by the state laws and partly by tradition and local customs. Most ancient temples, such as the ones located at Tirupathi, Madurai or Tanjavur are controlled by Government managed trusts in accordance with the state laws. Their maintenance may also be looked after by the Archaeological Survey of India, a government body, which has been entrusted with the responsibility of preserving and protecting the monuments and heritage of India. A few temples such as the ones at Hampi, Khajuraho and Pattadakal are declared UNESCO Heritage Sites.
Many states have passed the Hindu Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowment acts to govern the ownership, maintenance and finances of the temples in their states, which have been listed under the acts or which have been taken over by the government due to mismanagement and irregularities. The temples which do not fall under the preview of the act are managed by the private trusts or descendants of the royal families or the people appointed by them.
State interference in the ownership of Hindu temples has been a contentious issue in recent times. On the positive side, government involvement prevents the misuse of temple properties or misappropriation of revenues by private individuals, but on the negative side, it gives them unlimited powers to spend the temple funds according to their agenda. One of the common complaints is that much of the revenue earned by the temples is diverted by the government for purposes other than their maintenance or welfare or the promotion of Hindu Dharma. Many Hindu temples are in dilapidated conditions and on the verge of closure. The revenue from large and wealthy temples can be used to improve their condition, which does not usually happen unless it becomes a public issue. Incidents of misuse of funds and irregularities in managing temples and trusts, favoritism in appointing priests or misuse of temple trust funds are also not uncommon.
Each Hindu temple which has been built by people in India and elsewhere is an excellent example of the love and devotion which human can show to God and their aspiration to transcend their limitations and radiate his divinity through them. The public visage of Hinduism reveals itself in its great temples which are numerous and bear testimony to its long history.
www.hinduwebsite.com
Vedic people did not build temples, nor did they worship images of gods in their abodes. They performed sacrifices and nourished gods through sacrificial ceremonies, during which they might have used images to perform symbolic sacrifices. Although they did not practice idol worship or build temples, elements of Vedism as well Tantrism can be found in the structure and configuration of present day Hindu temples.
Hindu temples are found all over the world, especially in countries where sizeable Hindu population exist such as Pakistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia, Fiji, Mauritius, Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, the Caribbean, Suriname, South Africa, Europe, Australia and North America. The world’s oldest and largest temple is the Angkor vat in Cambodia, while the largest, most recent temple is said to be the Swami Narayan (BAPS) temple at Robbinsville, New Jersey, the United States.
The ownership of the Hindu temples in India is partly guided by the state laws and partly by tradition and local customs. Most ancient temples, such as the ones located at Tirupathi, Madurai or Tanjavur are controlled by Government managed trusts in accordance with the state laws. Their maintenance may also be looked after by the Archaeological Survey of India, a government body, which has been entrusted with the responsibility of preserving and protecting the monuments and heritage of India. A few temples such as the ones at Hampi, Khajuraho and Pattadakal are declared UNESCO Heritage Sites.
Many states have passed the Hindu Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowment acts to govern the ownership, maintenance and finances of the temples in their states, which have been listed under the acts or which have been taken over by the government due to mismanagement and irregularities. The temples which do not fall under the preview of the act are managed by the private trusts or descendants of the royal families or the people appointed by them.
State interference in the ownership of Hindu temples has been a contentious issue in recent times. On the positive side, government involvement prevents the misuse of temple properties or misappropriation of revenues by private individuals, but on the negative side, it gives them unlimited powers to spend the temple funds according to their agenda. One of the common complaints is that much of the revenue earned by the temples is diverted by the government for purposes other than their maintenance or welfare or the promotion of Hindu Dharma. Many Hindu temples are in dilapidated conditions and on the verge of closure. The revenue from large and wealthy temples can be used to improve their condition, which does not usually happen unless it becomes a public issue. Incidents of misuse of funds and irregularities in managing temples and trusts, favoritism in appointing priests or misuse of temple trust funds are also not uncommon.
Each Hindu temple which has been built by people in India and elsewhere is an excellent example of the love and devotion which human can show to God and their aspiration to transcend their limitations and radiate his divinity through them. The public visage of Hinduism reveals itself in its great temples which are numerous and bear testimony to its long history.
Know All About Hindu Temples
Know all about Hindu Temples their history, design, architecture, construction, history, aspects, management and importance in Hinduism.
Last edited:
)
