Page 2 - No_Shoes_in_Temples
P. 2

Recently I have visited                                     “Udayji, that's very simplistic
      Ernakulathappan temple. A tall man                          response. I asked you because you

    came to me and introduced himself as                         write about science and logic of every
    Janardhanan. He said he used to read                         Hindu tradition. As a reason, I heard that,
    my articles. Then abruptly asked a                           we need to absorb positive energy in the
    question: “Udayji, why is footwear not                       temple premise through the bare feet?”
    allowed inside the temple? What's the                        “Janardhanji, I do not know about such

    tradition behind it?”                                        positive energy. The words positive and
                                                                 negative are just scales to denote
    “Who said so? Some people are allowed                        calculations. I have not learnt about any
    to wear footwear inside. The footwear                        such energy in science classes, I am
    allowed inside a temple is called                            sorry.”
    Khadau.” (A Khadau is essentially the old

    style footwear. It is made of wood.) There                   “Hmm. There is another reason that
    are certain temples in northern India that                   people say shoes and chappals carry
    allow wooden Paadukas (footwear) to be                       germs.”
    worn during winter months.
                                                                 “What if I buy a brand new pair from a
    “Oh, that may be in the ancient times. I                     nearby shop and wear them? Will they

    was asking about today's footwear – like                     allow me inside the temple with
    shoes, chappals, sandals etc.”                               footwear?”


    “Oh, okay. Most of the Temple authorities                    “Hmm. No. So you mean to say there are
    display a board which says “Footwear are                     no apparent reasons for banning

    prohibited inside the temple premises” –                     footwear inside the temple?”
    that should be the reason,” I said adding,
    “We need to obey rule of the temple,                         “I didn't say that. There should be many
    right?”                                                      reasons. A Hindu should be able to
                                                                 understand and explain what he does,
                                                                 logically and scientifically. Please don't
                                                                 use fake sciences like positive energy or
                                                                 about germs which specialize only on

                                                                 bare foot.”
                                                                 a
                                                                 “Udayji, I really need to know the reason.
                                                                 Many people asked me, especially from
                                                                 other religions. I am not able to give

                                                                 convincing answers. What comes to your
                                                                    mind…?”





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