Temples and their roles in the past

Different facets of temples in the past

Our ancestors were great. They constructed beautiful huge Mandirs. The Mandirs were unique in several aspects apart from the main purpose that people can offer a prayer and be one with God.

Here is an exhaustive list :

Temples as Environmental Protection & Promotion Centre

01. Mandir served the cause of Environmental Protection & Promotion besides providing greenery and water. The Mandir campus was so huge with so much open space which served as a lung space for village or town.
02. “Stala Viriksha”, was planting a particular kind of tree important for the main deity of the Mandir.
03. It had parks (Nandavanams) which means greenery, beauty to eyes, and oxygen to breathe.
04. There were no Mandirs without water tank. The water was not only used for pilgrims but even the people living in village or town. People fetched water from the tank and at the same time, thanks to the tank, their domestic wells got plentiful of ground water.

HRD Institute
05. People who take part in organising Mandir festivals and functions could develop their leadership skills. They become good communicators , motivators , speakers , right brain thinkers and executors as well as could develop HR & PR skills
06. The discourses that take place in the Mandirs develop various human skills
07. There are Mandirs which accommodate Tuition Classes.

Fine Arts Sabha
08. There are regular music and dance programmes taking place in Mandirs

Fine Arts College
09. Mandir is indeed a training place for fine arts, both dance and music from vocal to instrumental music.

Arts College for Painting & Sculpting
10. Many types of arts in the form of paintings and sculptures were accommodated and encouraged. Each Mandir was created to be an Art Treasure. The paintings and sculptures were made to be a treat to eyes and food for thought.

Floral Treat & Training
11. The flower decorations apart from providing fragrance soothed the eyes.

Culture & Heritage Centre
12. It promoted culture and became responsible for human civilization.
13. Mandirs stand as monuments representing of great heritage

Physical Fitness Centre
14. Walking around the Mandir became a good physical exercise. The walkway around the Mandir was fixed with rough granite stones. People walk and get acupressure. Same thing is in respect of Anga pradhashanam
15. It is in a way Gym . People lift the IDOL to take it on procession. They put Thopukarnam, sashtanga namaskaram. bowing etc.

Mind Faculty development
16. People could meditate . The calm atmosphere was helpful for meditation

Social Service & Charitable Institution
17. Mandir also serves as a Social Service organisation. Annadhanam is something routine in Mandirs. A lot of charity is being rendered by Mandir and devotees. During natural catastrophes, Mandir becomes nerve centre in mobilising and extending help

Social Club for Socialisation
18. It became a meeting place of people. A place to harvest friends and develop friendship

Community Hall for Celebrations
19. Mandirs facilitated social gatherings including ceremonies like marriages.
It is virtually very little expense to conduct Marriages and auspicious functions in Mandirs

Catering & Hospitality Institute
20. Catering is important. Madapalli provides delicious prasadams . People cook, host and eat.

Employment Exchange providing employment opportunities –
21. Hundreds get direct and indirect employment. The Mandirs provide jobs for quite a number of people for doing the above jobs. Jobs are always available for Carpenters , Electricians , Plumbers, Painters, Masons, Sculptors, Flouriest , Cooks, Musicians, Instrumentalists ,Dancers, Gardner , etc.

Vocational Training Institute
22. Many youngsters join seniors and learn the above said vocations

Place for Relaxation
23. Mandir is indeed a wonderful place for Relaxation & Rest. Because of its height, the place inside the Mandir is always cool even during summer. People who cannot bear the summer heat go to temples and relax.

Trade Development
24. Hundreds of shop keepers do trade and get livelihood

Animal Welfare Organisation
25. Animals like cows and elephants are sheltered. Birds like pigeons stay in the Mandir towers. Peacocks are reared. People showed their love to animals.

Engineering Marvel
26. Our forefathers constructed mammoth Mandirs even before electricity was invented and petrol was discovered. They didn’t have the huge machines which we have today for construction. The Mandirs were constructed by using only human resource. They made huge and tall stone pillars and erected them with perfect alignment. There were no lifts but they were able to lift huge stones to serve as roof. Today students of Civil Engineering and Architecture learn their subjects by visiting Mandirs and studying as well as doing research.


Harmony & Oneness
28. Mandir brought oneness. People of all castes and different income levels worship together as equals before the deity.

Counselling & Mediation Centre
29. Disputes are resolved and counselling made between people by people themselves

We have to revive temples to their past glory. We feel that the above points explain what the temples stood for in the past, contrary to the popular misconception of being just a place of worship. Lets do it together.

Source: Exnora International