Temples (Center for Good Health)
It is not only a center for spirituality but also a center for good health. Health means a state of complete physical, mental and social well being. All these three states of health can be had together by a person who visits a temple often. Let us see how it could be. Temple is a holy place where God is present in idol form. Hence everyone should take bath and wear clean and healthy clothes. This serves the scientific purpose of keeping one’s body clean and healthy. If we can observe every step by step activity that can be taken place at/in a temple with keen interest, several amazing scientific reasons will arise in our minds. Let us see one by one…
Leaving the foot wear outside
Generally temples are at a place where the positive energy is abundantly available from magnetic and electric wave distributions of north/south pole thrust. In olden days temples were built in such a way that the floor a the center of the temple would be good conductors of these positive vibrations. When we step on this floor these vibrations enter our body through our feet. Hence it is necessary to walk bare footed while we enter the core center of the temple.
Ringing the bell
The temple bell is another scientific phenomenon. It is made of lead, copper, zinc, nickel, chromium and manganese. The portion at which each of them mixed is a real science behind the bell. It produces a sharp and enduring sound which lasts for minimum of seven seconds in echo mode. The duration of echo is good enough to activate all the seven healing centers (or 7 chakras) in our body. This results in emptying our brain from all negative thoughts and we relieve stress.
Entering the sanctum
One of the sixteen divine qualities of a god is beauty. So the idol of the God is decorated with various fragrant flowers in the most attractive way. In addition to this on special occasions and festivals the walls of the sanctum will be applied with the paste of some aromatic substances. The fragrance and perfumes emitted from these substances and the beauty of the God take the worshipper into trance. Moreover the worshipper is exposed indirectly to aroma therapy. The aroma therapy is a practice used for pain relief and for Increasing cognitive function with the application of some extracts taken from Flowers, bark, stems, and leaves, roots or other parts of a plant.
Paying Namaskaram
Bringing both the hands in front of the chest and joining them together in such a way that the tips of the fingers of both the hands touch each other is called namaskaram. It is a way of paying respect to God. In this act too there is a scientific reason. When we press tips of fingers the nerve that connects eyes, ears and mind becomes active.
Taking Harati
After offering the prayer a plate with a flame of camphor is brought to us by the priest. We usually put oun hands over the flame of the camphor and touch our eyes with those warm hands. This action assures that our touch sense is active.
Taking theertam
The water used for theertam usually would contain edible camphor and thulasi leaves. This water will be kept at least eight hours in a copper vessel. According to Ayurveda, water stored in a copper vessel has the ability to balance all the three doshas (vata, kapha, pitta) in our body and by drinking this water soar throat, fever common cold and cough will be reduced.
In some temples the abhisheka jalam will be distributed as theertham. This jalam is concoction of cardamom, edible camphor, saffron, clove and thulasi leaves. Clove protect one from tooth decay, the saffron and thulasi leaves protect one from common cold and cough. Cardamom and edible camphor acts as mouth freshner.
Wearing kumkuma / chandanam / ash
The spot on forehead between the two eye- brows is considered as a major nerve junction. It is also known as the position of the sixth and most important chakra called ajna chakra. This point signifies the point of awakening and the position of the third eye. Generally we wear kumkuma/chandanam/vibhoodi on this spot to control various levels of concentration.
Kumkuma between the eyebrows is said to retain energy in the human body. While applying kumkuma the points on the mid-brow region and ajna chakra are automatically pressed. This facilitates the blood supply to the face muscles. Chandanam is known for its cooling properties. Actually this region is the most sensitive with the highest convergence of nerves. Chandanam help in cooling the region and relieve headache caused due to excessive exposure to sun. Similarly the materials that are burnt to make ash also play an important role in influencing the positive effects on the body.
Performing circumambulation (or pradakshinam)
We believe that the God is or right side of us. Pradakshina in Sanskrit language means towards right. So customarily we walk around the idol in clockwise direction. In most of the temples we find that the idol of the God is placed on copper plates. They obsorb earth’s magnetic waves and radiates it to the surroundings. Hence a person who takes pradakshina around the idol in clockwise direction receives the positive vibrations of this beamed magnetic wave. We all require this positive energy to lead a healthy life.
Taking prasadam
The last but not least activity in the temple is taking prasadam. In most of the temples sweet pongal, hot pongal, tamarind rice, curd rice laddu, vada will be distributed to the devotees as prasadam. The main ingredients used in these prasadams are rice, jaggery, cardamom, cashew nuts, cow ghee, green gram, pepper, tamarind, turmeric powder, curd, basin flour, dry grape, sugar, edible camphor and black gram. Each item has its own nutritious values.
About each and every ingredient used in Prasadam:
Jaggery
It contains small amounts of B vitamins and minerals including Calcium, zinc, phosphorus and copper. It prevents anemia. It improves immune function.
Rice
It is a rich source of carbohydrates. It gives immediate energy.
Cardamom
This spice is used as medicine in treatment of mouth ulcers and digestive problems.
Cashew nuts
It is high in fat, rich in vitamin E and good source of minerals. It is an important nut for healthy bones and nerves system.
Cow ghee
It contains significant levels of vitamin A, vitamin D and vitamin E. It is anti bacterial, anti fungal and anti viral.
Green gram
It contains several B-complex vitamins. It protect from skin cancer.
Pepper
The use of black pepper in our diet helps to promote weight loss, aid in digestion. Relieve cough and cold. Increases metabolism and treat skin problems.
Tamarind
It increases the efficiency of digestive system. It is a source for C Vitamin. Since vitamin C is antioxidant, it reduces heart diseases.
Turmeric powder
It is an anti septic Medicine. It gives relief from arthritic pain. It helps in Prevention of cancer.
Curd
It is good for our teeth and bone. It relieves us from stress and anxiety.
Basin flour
It contains soluble fiber which keeps our heart healthy. It controls Diabetes.
Dry grape
There are good levels of iron in dry grapes. It can give healthy weight gain without accumulation of unhealthy fats in the body.
Sugar
It can provide an instant mood boost. It improves our thinking skills.
Edible camphor
A pinch of edible camphor helps to have good sleep. It is used to treat diarrhea, vomiting,
cold and cough.
Black gram
It is full of proteins as well as minerals just like magnesium, Calcium, phosphorus that encourage the growth and repair of healthy and strong Bones.
These nine activities ensure one’s physical mental well being.
The three states of health (i.e., physical, mental and social) are interlinked to one another. The lack of any one of these health can affect remaining two.
A person who is physically and mentally well being will necessarily be socially well being. Temple is playing a significant role in promoting social health. Let us see how it could promote.
A temple is a place of worship where there is no discrimination regarding class or status. All are equal before God. The worship in a temple is not only for the sake of an individual but for the sake of whole community also. When we meet others in a temple we should forget hatred against each other and wish the good of each other. This promotes the social harmony among the people. Temples are main hubs in the society where goodness in our hearts is nurtured. Here we learn to give donations for food, health, education and also for protecting cows.
Positivism is a seed for social health. Temple is treasure house for this positivism.
A regular visit to a temple let a person absorbs more of this positive energy.
We strongly evoke that temple is a main center for all these three states of Health. Hence everyone should make his visit to temples as a part of their daily activities.
