About us
We are a small group of Hindus who have come together to highlight The Free Temples of Bharat. This would include all Hindu temples of devis and devatas (big or small/old or new) owned by private trusts or individuals. We hope, that through our humble efforts, such temples grow and serve their purpose as sacred centres of education, defence, culture, service, dharma & moksha.
Our Purpose
Our Guru, Pujyapad Puri Shankaracharyaji Swami Nischalananda Saraswatiji Maharaj, Govardhan Math, says that the purpose of temples is to serve as sacred centres of education, defence, culture, service, dharma & moksha. He has also guided us to make our local temples the centre of Hindu activity and community building.
This website has been created with the intention to support local temples so that they may flourish and fulfil their purpose, as above.
The Perfect Temple
Pujyapad Puri Shankaracharyaji says the ambiance of a temple should be beautiful, clean & divine so that it proves to be auspicious for all.
We hope that reviews by visitors shall assess and provide the incentive for the temples to maintain the above ambiance. In addition, the listing can also inspire local Hindus of the region to take an initiative of cleanliness drives, etc. Funds raised may also help in creating a system for waste management which is a challenge across Bharat.
Temples as Centres of Hindu Activity and Development
Pujyapad Puri Shankaracharyaji wishes that our temples contribute to the creation of individuals and a society that is secure, educated, well-cultured, service-oriented, healthy, prosperous and directed towards the well being of all. This is the very definition of development per vedas and shastras.
With the growth of local temples as strong power centres, the people of the region prosper as above.
Touching upon our history, Pujyapad Puri Shankaracharyaji explains that in the past, the rajas felt that our Hindu existence and ideals shall not be protected with forts alone. That is why they made “Thakur Dwaras”, temples of sanatana devis and devatas. Temples and mathas were the centres of education, defence, culture, service and moksha.
Over a period of time, these institutes were reduced to becoming a mere source of income and honour for a handful of people. This is the reason, that in independent Bharat, despite the existence of these divine institutes, we have not flourished on dharmic and spiritual grounds.
The secular government has become the controller of our spiritual and dharmic centres. They even constitute the temple administrative body as per their own interest. Those working in the temple are instruments of government.
In addition, when traditions prescribed for worship are not followed as per shastras, the devi-devatas disappear from the vigrahas and ghosts, pretas, evil spirits and dark energies enter into their murtis causing grave destruction.
Pujyapad feels that all must benefit from the temple but no one must exploit its systems. The temples must be managed in a pure way and their purpose must be understood. Secular governments must not interfere in our dharmic and spiritual affairs.
We hope that our temples are freed from government control and returned back to their rightful, original owners, as per tradition.
Owing to the above, the main purpose of these (govt controlled) temples is lost. It is hard to say how Hindus shall protect their existence through the temples. Existence of temples without maintaining its ideals, serves no purpose. Such an existence does not last long, says Pujyapad Puri Shankaracharyaji.
Thus, we are trying to focus on The Free Temples of Bharat.
Free Temples
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Our Contributors
We thank fellow Hindus who have put their time, effort and energy in sending us the details of temples to list them on our website.
Prakash Thakur
I am a graduate in Management, belonging to the Mithila region. Reading and writing are my hobbies. Like to do seva of sants and the needy with my family, and wish to explore and work for the preservation of dharma.
Sidharth Mishra
A B.Tech graduate in Mechanical Engineering, I am enthusiastic about the study of scriptures and chanting mantras. It is our duty as Hindus to do what we can to protect our temples. Doing my small bit in the hope that more people connect with devi-devatas and dharma.