If I ask you to describe any of your favourite temple, what you will recall first? The symbolic statue of tortoise at the entrance facing idol of deity of temple.
Have you ever wondered why tortoise is placed at the entrance of temple and why do we pay reverence to this tortoise first even before our Ishwar?
Its an indication of the tendency and the notion that we should bear not just while entering a temple, but throughout our life. So what is that tendency and notion? The tortoise facing idol of deity motivates us to advance towards the state of Ishwar from that of human and like a tortoise who draws its limbs inside its shell, we should protect ourselves from evil tendencies in society and by withdrawing our attention from all hurdles like worldly emotions viz. pleasures, sorrows, envy etc., we need to be focused in our journey to Ishwar. Dear all, divine path to Ishwar is not easy. There are many pleasant or unpleasant hurdles in this way. Only by withdrawing our attention and interest from all obstacles, we can reach to Ishwar. This is the hidden message behind this tradition.
Traditions if followed blindly will prove to be misleading in long run. However if they are followed with open eye, they open the door to Ishwar for us.
