God exists, but please don’t believe that God resides in any temple. In temples, you find statues—very different from the real God. It’s like being infatuated with Sunny Leone and managing to kiss her photo; but kissing her in person is an entirely different matter, and not easy to accomplish. Yet her existence is not a lie.
For years, I’ve wondered why humans built temples instead of houses, community centers, orphanages, old age homes, or healing spaces. What was the necessity of constructing such massive temples?
The truth is simple: most temples were built by the rich and powerful. A poor man would never build a temple—he would rather plow the land or hunt to feed his family. It is impossible that God came down personally to whisper in a king’s ear, asking him to build a temple. More likely, religious advisers convinced kings that temples would cancel out their bad karma from killing rivals, ensure eternal life, or secure their place in heaven. All lies, of course.
My insight is this: temples were built to distract people from harsh realities and keep them disciplined in a fantasy world. The silent message of kings was: “Don’t ask me about your problems—ask God.” And it worked. Even today, people go to Tirupati to ask for jobs, or to Chilkur Balaji to ask for U.S. visas, instead of holding the real powerbrokers accountable.
I am a staunch believer in God, and I love visiting temples—but not for blind faith. I go for their historical relevance. Temples make me feel like I’m time-traveling. I sense the energy of devotees who walked before me thousands of years ago, and I wonder how many will walk after me. That continuity of culture is powerful.
But let me be clear: I do not accept or ignore the wrongs that happen in and around temples.
The Economy Around a Temple
People living within 10–20 km of a temple often depend on it for survival. That might sound like a blessing, but don’t be fooled—most aren’t innocent villagers. Touts, thieves, and beggars thrive on your vulnerability. The idea of a “pure, simple villager” exists only in Bollywood. In reality, they can empty your pockets before you realize you’ve been played.
Parking Fees
Most Hindu temples are controlled by the government. Devotee donations in the hundi go to the state, while priests survive on the smaller archana offerings. Now, Indians already pay around 28% tax on cars plus another 5% road tax. So shouldn’t parking near temples—government institutions—be free? Not at all. Within 1 km of any temple, parking comes at a price.
Tip: Park far away, walk to the temple, and thank me later.
Footwear
No temple allows footwear inside, and none has a foolproof system to safeguard your expensive sandals. To make it worse, some believe that stealing footwear—or even a Ganapati idol—brings luck.
Tip: Wear the cheapest or oldest pair you own. Nobody will steal it, and if they do, it won’t hurt your wallet.
Clothes
Many devotees flaunt gold jewelry in temples, believing it attracts divine blessings and social respect. But if you prefer peace over attention, keep it simple.
Tip: Wear modest Indian traditional clothes, minimal makeup, and no heavy jewelry. God doesn’t care about your gold; only humans do.
Offerings
It’s customary in India to never visit someone—children, pregnant women, elders, or God—empty-handed. People usually bring coconuts, bananas, flowers, or betel leaves, which vendors outside temples sell at double price.
Tip: Buy them wherever cheaper. Don’t fall for the trap that “God blesses more if you spend more.” He doesn’t.
Touts, Thieves, and Lechers
Not everyone in a temple comes to pray.
• The tout prays for maximum profits.
• The thief prays he won’t get caught.
• The lecher prays for good skin to rub against.
Tips:
• Leave your wallet at home, carry only minimal cash.
• Avoid expensive jewelry, watches, or accessories—“an open wallet tempts even a saint.”
• To dodge lechers, visit on non-festival days. For God, every day is sacred.
Beggars and the Illusion of Dharma
In South Indian temples, beggars line up in droves. Many believe that giving alms pleases God and erases sins. But here’s the hypocrisy:
A corrupt officer takes ₹10,000 bribes on every house registration. In a month, he amasses ₹30 lakh in black money. Then he donates ₹1 lakh to the hundi and hands ₹100 each to a hundred beggars. Does he think God is a brainless fool?
In such cases, dānam (donation) itself becomes a sin.
Final Word: How to Visit Temples in India
• Wear simple traditional clothes.
• Avoid expensive footwear, jewelry, and watches.
• Carry minimal cash.
• Take a small offering, but don’t overspend.
• Focus on the deity, not the circus around it.
• Stop donating money to beggars.
Go for the history, the energy, and the continuity of culture—but don’t lose your common sense at the temple gates.