Whether you’re traveling in Europe, or roaming exotic lands in Asia, places of worship will have a place in your tourist itinerary. Churches and chapels, mosques, Hindu and Buddhist temples, synagogues – almost all places of worship of the major religions are similar in their grandeur and intricate detailing.
While visiting a place of worship, it’s always necessary to find out whether the place in question is still being used for religious services. If yes, then that place ceases to become a tourist attraction, and needs to be treated with respect.
Dressing Up
Dressing rules may be slightly more relaxed when you visit a church than when you step inside a mosque or Buddhist temple, but a fair amount of decorum would not be amiss. Girls, leave the plunging neckline tops, mini skirts and shorts for a trip to an exotic spice bazaar, or to people watch at the beach. Guys should take care to not leave their knees uncovered. Remember, it may look like a beautiful structure with gorgeous statuary and stained glass ceilings, but it is a place held in reverence by some of your fellow human beings.
Taking pictures
It might be tempting to collect a few shots of the lavishly dressed goddesses in a temple, but always inquire if photography is allowed inside the building. Respect the sanctity of the place. Don’t take pictures of yourselves and your friends posing jauntily beside a statue or next to the altar– worshipers will consider it rude.
Conducting Yourself
Admiring a Buddhist temple in Bangkok? Make sure that you sit on the floor in reverence, with your feet pointing away from the altar. A mosque will always have a small niche in one wall, which points towards Mecca. Pointing your feet in that direction is extremely disrespectful. Some Hindu temples will not allow foreigners into the sanctum sanctorum – don’t argue, or try to sneak your way into the queue.
Be Respectful of Traditions
When your guide points out rituals that are taking place or explains the intricacies of certain practices, listen patiently. Don’t mock them. Even if you’re an atheist, respect that the people in the building are people of faith who take their beliefs seriously.
Ultimately, behaving yourself in a place of worship comes down to one thing – acknowledging, no matter what your religious orientation, that these buildings are very special to some people, and therefore treating it with the utmost respect.
Photo of Buddhist temple in Chiang Mai, Thailand by Mascha
Topic: How to Tuesday |
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About the author
Shabana Nather is a freelance writer and closet travel blogger, who has a passion for all things Asian. Her favorite vacation spot is the sunny state of Goa, and the countries she would most like to visit are Egypt and Thailand. She currently lives and works in Mysore, India.
2 responses to “How to avoid gaffes at religious places of worship”
Report an inappropriate commentMay 13th, 2008 at 3:53 pm
Nice post dude!!!
June 19th, 2008 at 3:11 pm
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[Yamuntri]
[Badrinath]
[Kedarnath]
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The Himalaya at Uttaranchal is known as ‘dev bhoomi’ the abode of gods and goddesses. Ours is the first and the only company that has been licensed by various Uttaranchal Government Departments to collect Gangajalthe holy water so as to make it available to Hindus all over the world giving them their share of deep traditional values that they carry to far off places of the globe.
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