Temple Tours India: What Should You Really Do When Visiting Temples?
Jun, 15 2025
Packed temples, swirling incense, barefoot pilgrims—India’s temples are sensory overload in the best way. But it’s easy to mess up if you don’t know how things work. Before you walk in, check what locals are wearing. Long pants or a modest skirt, shoulders and knees covered—that’s the usual. Forget about showing off that cool new sleeveless tee. Flip-flops or barefoot only, and yeah, those socks should come off too.
Got your phone? Think twice before snapping endless pics. Some temples ban photography, and trust me, you don’t want to get that stern look from a priest halfway through your selfie attempt. You’ll notice people washing their hands and even feet at the entrance fountains—join in, it’s not just about cleanliness, it’s respectful too. If there’s a long line, don’t push ahead—wait patiently, and watch how everyone else moves, especially around the main idol. These steps are basics, but skipping them is a surefire way to stand out in the wrong way.
- Getting Ready: Dress and Dos
- Unspoken Rules Inside Temples
- Unexpected Experiences and Sights
- Practical Tips for Every Traveler
Getting Ready: Dress and Dos
Before you set foot inside, how you look and act matters—a lot. Most temples expect visitors to dress simply and cover up. For men, that usually means long pants or a traditional dhoti, and a shirt with sleeves. Women wear long skirts, sarees, or salwar kameez and keep their shoulders covered. Jeans are normally fine if they’re full length, but shorts, sleeveless tops, and anything flashy or tight? Better skip them.
Footwear isn’t allowed inside Indian temples. That means not just shoes, but socks too, and sometimes leather belts or bags are a no-go (leather is considered impure in many places). Most temples have racks or paid counters for shoe storage right at the entrance. Worried about your feet on hot stone floors? Try carry-on socks or cloth bags for emergencies, but double-check local rules first.
- Leave valuables, and especially snacks, outside. Many temples screen bags at entry for plastic or food.
- Wash your hands and feet at the entrance if facilities are provided—most big temples have rows of taps for this.
- Dress more conservatively in South Indian temples (like Meenakshi or Tirupati), where dress codes are stricter. Women often use headscarves, and men may need to enter bare-chested with only traditional garments.
Think you can blend in with a simple scarf over your shoulders? It’s a good plan, but in some popular temples like the Golden Temple in Amritsar, head coverings are non-negotiable for everyone. Grab a scarf or bandana at the entry—they usually provide these if you forget.
Here’s a quick comparison of some top Indian temples and their dress policies:
| Temple | Region | Special Dress Code? |
|---|---|---|
| Tirupati Balaji | Andhra Pradesh | Shoulders, knees covered; no western shorts/skirts |
| Golden Temple | Punjab | Head covered for all, barefoot only |
| Jagannath Temple | Odisha | Clothes should cover arms and legs; only Hindus allowed inside |
| Meenakshi Temple | Tamil Nadu | No tight outfits; long pants and covered shoulders mandatory |
| Kashi Vishwanath | Uttar Pradesh | Conservative dress; remove leather items |
Packed carefully? Dressed right? Now you’re ready to reel in the real temple tours experience, stress-free.
Unspoken Rules Inside Temples
There are a ton of things visitors miss when stepping inside Indian temples for the first time. The biggest one? Silence actually means something here. People talk in whispers or not at all, even if there’s a thousand-strong crowd swirling around a main shrine. Save the spirited debates for outside – the temple zone is a quiet zone by default.
It’s also standard to circle around the main deity (the idol) in a clockwise direction. This isn’t random—it’s a mark of respect, and you’ll stick out if you randomly cut the opposite way. If you see people touching the temple floor before entering an inner chamber or shrine, that’s another sign of respect, not just habit.
Offerings are a big deal, but don’t just bring anything. In South India, coconut, fruits, or flowers are safe bets. In North India, sweets like laddoo make sense, but always check if non-locals are allowed to make direct offerings–some temples restrict this. And whatever you do, don’t point your feet toward the shrine when you sit down. That’s about as rude as it gets in this setting.
- Never step over people sitting or praying – walk around.
- Don’t hug, hold hands, or show affection inside.
- Don’t expect to see women and men together in all areas; some spots are gender-specific, especially during rituals.
- If you’re offered temple tours with access to private ceremonies, always double-check authenticity—scams exist, especially in popular sites.
Here’s a quick glance at some real-life "do’s and don'ts" grabbed from visitor guidelines in top Indian temples:
| Temple | Photography | Direct Offerings Allowed? | Footwear Storage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meenakshi, Madurai | Banned inside main shrine | Yes (after checking at entrance desk) | Free lockers outside |
| Kashi Vishwanath, Varanasi | Strictly banned | Restricted for non-Hindus | Paid counters nearby |
| Jagannath, Puri | Banned for all visitors | Hindus only, foreigners not allowed inside | Paid counters at gate |
If you’re ever unsure about a rule, just copy what the locals do. It’s the safest play you’ve got.
Unexpected Experiences and Sights
Nothing prepares you for how busy and alive Indian temples can get. You might walk into a historic place expecting silent halls, but you'll often find chanting, bells ringing, and crowds moving in waves. During big festivals like Diwali or Navaratri, some top temples see over 50,000 visitors a day. If you hit Varanasi’s Kashi Vishwanath or Tamil Nadu’s Meenakshi Temple on a special day, be ready to wade through a sea of devotees, flowers, and colorful powders.
Another thing—monkeys. Tons of temples, especially in North India (think Galta Ji in Jaipur), have monkeys hanging around. They aren’t shy. Keep anything edible stashed away, and if you’re carrying flowers or prasad (offerings), hold on to them tight! For the record, don’t feed or pet the monkeys, no matter how cute they look.
You’ll spot temple staff or priests performing rituals called aarti or abhishekam. The way they scoop out clarified butter, toss in flower petals, or sweep incense smoke over the idols isn’t just for show—it’s a daily routine that sometimes happens four times a day. You’re welcome to watch, but don’t interrupt or block anyone else’s view.
For some real head-turners, check out these temple features:
- Temple tours often include shrines with ‘moving’ statues or idols decorated with hundreds of fresh flowers each morning.
- At the Jagannath Temple in Puri, they serve over 50 different food dishes daily—made in the world’s largest open kitchen. The total can feed upwards of 100,000 people on major festival days!
- Seats for foreigners: A few South Indian temples have ‘visitor galleries’ for outsiders to quietly observe rituals without entering restricted areas.
If you’re a numbers person, here’s what life inside a few of India’s biggest temples looks like:
| Temple | Approx. Daily Footfall | Special Feature |
|---|---|---|
| Venkateswara (Tirupati) | 60,000–80,000 | Hair Offering Ritual |
| Meenakshi (Madurai) | 20,000–30,000 | Gopuram Towers Over 170 Feet Tall |
| Golden Temple (Amritsar) | 100,000 | Free Kitchen Serving 50,000+ Meals Daily |
| Jagannath (Puri) | 10,000–50,000 | World’s Largest Chariot Festival |
So, if you’re hoping to just quietly walk through and maybe light a candle, you might be surprised. Temple visits in India usually mean loud, lively energy and a mash-up of traditions that can change by the hour. Go in open-minded, expect the unexpected, but remember to observe and join in with respect.
Practical Tips for Every Traveler
If you’re planning a temple tour in India, a little prep can make the whole experience way smoother. First, carry a light scarf or shawl. Most temples will expect you to cover your head if you’re in northern states like Punjab (think Golden Temple), but it’s handy anywhere just in case. Pack a small bag for your shoes, too. Some bigger temples have token systems for storing footwear, but at smaller spots, your shoes usually sit outside—bring cheap slip-ons you won’t cry over if they vanish.
Watch out for timings. Many temples close in the afternoon, usually from around 12 PM to 4 PM, and some open as early as 5 AM. Avoid Fridays or major festival days if you hate crowds—the queue at Tirupati Balaji can run over 50,000 people on a busy day! Here’s a look at visiting hours and average crowd sizes for top temples:
| Temple | Opening Hours | Peak Visitors/Day |
|---|---|---|
| Meenakshi Temple (Madurai) | 5:00 AM - 12:30 PM, 4:00 PM - 10:00 PM | 25,000+ |
| Golden Temple (Amritsar) | Open 24 hours | 100,000+ |
| Tirupati Balaji (Tirumala) | 2:30 AM - 11:00 PM | 50,000-100,000 |
Cash is still king for temple offerings (“prasad”), so carry small bills—ten or twenty rupees is generous. If you’re handed a sweet or snack as prasad, it’s polite to take it with your right hand. Eat it outside, never inside the main hall. Keep an eye out for donation boxes; ignore pushy touts who hover around asking for “special blessings”—official donations only go in the boxes, not to random people.
For first-timers, it’s easy to get swept up in crowds, especially during aarti (the main ritual, usually after sunset). If you’re feeling lost, ask temple staff in plain English—they’re used to visitors, and most can point you the right way. If you’re not sure what to do, just watch—and copy—the regulars. When in doubt, showing respect goes a long way. And hey, you’ll get way more fun out of the trip.