India Temple Etiquette

A few principles that work almost everywhere

India has an enormous range of sacred places: Hindu temples, Sikh gurdwaras, mosques, Jain temples, Buddhist monasteries, churches and shrines. Customs differ between faiths and even between neighbouring temples. Still, a few principles cover most visits:

• Dress modestly
• Take your shoes off where others do
• Cover your head where it is expected
• Keep your voice low
• Ask before photographing people or inner sanctums
• Follow the signs and the people around you

Staff and worshippers are generally welcoming and will point out if something needs fixing. Take the correction politely.

Dress

Cover shoulders and knees. For both men and women, trousers or a long skirt with a sleeved top is a safe choice. Avoid tight or see-through clothing.

Some temples have stricter rules. A few in southern India ask men to remove shirts and wear a dhoti inside the sanctum, and specify sarees or salwar kameez for women. Some ban leather items such as belts and wallets, which is common at Jain temples. Read signs at the entrance.

Shoes and socks

Shoes come off before entering most temples, gurdwaras, mosques and Jain temples. Many places have shoe counters where you hand over your shoes and receive a token. The service is often free, especially at gurdwaras. Keep the token safe.

Marble floors can get very hot in the afternoon sun. Some sites lay mats. Others do not, so you may want to visit in the morning or evening. Socks are sometimes allowed and sometimes not.

Covering your head

At gurdwaras, everyone covers their head, men and women alike. Scarves are usually provided at the entrance. Some mosques also ask women to cover their head. Carrying a light scarf helps.

Inside the temple

• Join queues and follow one-way routes, especially at busy temples where darshan (viewing of the deity) is organised
• Do not touch idols or sacred objects unless invited
• Walk clockwise around shrines when circling, which is the traditional direction in Hindu, Buddhist and Jain practice
• Do not point your feet at the shrine or sit with your back to it
• Keep phones silent
• Do not eat in the inner areas unless you are given prasad (blessed food offered to visitors). Accept it with your right hand

Who can enter where

A small number of temples in India restrict entry to the inner sanctum or the whole premises to followers of that faith. Some famous examples are in Odisha and Kerala. This is not personal. Check before travelling to a particular temple if you want to go inside, and accept the rule if you are turned away.

Photography

Many temples ban photography inside the sanctum. Others charge a camera fee. Some ban phones entirely, and you may need to deposit them at a counter. Look for signs and ask staff if unsure.

Outside, ask before taking photos of people praying, priests or sadhus. Some sadhus at busy tourist sites ask for money for photos. Agree before you take the picture, or skip it.

Offerings and donations

Offering flowers, sweets or coins is optional for visitors. If you want to, buy from stalls near the entrance and follow the lead of others. Donations go in marked boxes or at official counters with receipts.

Be careful of unofficial "guides" or "priests" who insist on a special puja, a fast-track queue or a donation amount. Official counters exist at large temples for special entry and donations.

Gurdwaras and langar

Sikh gurdwaras run langar, a community kitchen that serves free vegetarian meals to anyone. Visitors are welcome. Sit on the floor in rows with everyone else, cover your head, and accept food with both hands. Volunteering in the kitchen or washing plates is appreciated if you have time.

In Delhi, Gurudwara Bangla Sahib near Connaught Place is a calm and well-organised place to experience this. In Amritsar, the Golden Temple's langar is one of the largest in the world. We run cars from Delhi to Amritsar, both one way and as an outstation round trip.

Mosques

At Jama Masjid in Delhi and other major mosques, visitors are usually not allowed in during prayer times. Women may be asked to wear a robe provided at the gate. Shoes come off at the entrance.

Temples and sacred sites near Delhi

With a full day Delhi sightseeing car, you can combine places like Akshardham, Lotus Temple, Bangla Sahib and Jama Masjid in a day, set at your own pace. Note that Akshardham does not allow phones or cameras inside and has a strict security check, so leave valuables in the car.

Further out:

• Fatehpur Sikri, with the Jama Masjid and the shrine of Salim Chishti, fits on an overnight Delhi, Agra and Fatehpur Sikri trip
• Rishikesh and Haridwar, for the evening ganga aarti, are reached via Delhi to Dehradun
• McLeod Ganj, the home of the Tibetan Buddhist community in exile, by Delhi to McLeod Ganj car
• Jaipur's temples on the Golden Triangle tour

The Taj Mahal is a mausoleum with a working mosque on the grounds. It is closed on Fridays for prayers, which matters when planning a same-day Delhi to Agra trip.

Common mistakes

• Wearing shorts to a temple and being refused entry
• Forgetting a scarf at a gurdwara (most provide them, but not all)
• Walking with shoes into an area where others are barefoot
• Taking photos where it is prohibited
• Paying an unofficial "guide" for "special access"

FAQ

Do women need to cover their heads at Hindu temples?

Usually not, except at some specific temples. It is required at gurdwaras.

Can non-Hindus enter Hindu temples?

Most, yes. A few have restrictions. Check in advance.

Is it acceptable to visit during festivals?

Yes, and it can be wonderful, but expect large crowds and longer queues.

Should I tip shoe counter staff?

Many are free and run by volunteers. A small donation in the box is appreciated.

Related reading

• First day in Delhi
• India e-Visa guide
• Bookable trips from the capital on the Delhi page