The main hall in the Sanatan Mandir, Leicester
(Clockwise from Bottom-left):
- Worshippers taking off their shoes upon entering the temple
- Ringing the bell on entering the temple room
- Two girls taking Charanamrita (holy water) after taking darshan
- Placing money in the donation box after the arti ceremony
A mandir has many internal features, which one can fully appreciate only by visiting. Below we list what we might experience on entering a temple. Some mandirs have fewer facilities, and others far more. The more elaborate are often part of an entire complex that includes residential quarters, guest rooms, and educational facilities.
- Racks for shoes (sometimes manned in larger temples)
- The fragrance of incense
- Main hall (temple room)
- Bell to ring upon entry – to announce one's arrival to the deity
- Pictures/posters of saints, deities, and associated stories
- Hindu symbols
- Musical instruments – including drums, cymbals, harmonium
- Sacred books – for reading and giving lectures
- Main shrine (at the front); often many smaller shrines, usually to the sides
- Donation box before the shrine
- Murtis within the shrine areas
- Charanamrita (holy water in a bowl near the altar)
- Prasada, sacred food, handed to worshippers at the altar, or as they leave
- Priest or priests
- Kitchen and dining area
- Auditorium for music, drama, dance, and other cultural performances
- Shop selling religious artifacts, books, and other religious souvenirs.
- The temple administrative office