A convert to Hinduism is not allowed to enter. What is Hinduisms rule for non Hindus or non Indians entering the temple?
Can I enter a temple as a Muslim?
http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/181_1535816,0008.htm
US woman, a convert to Hinduism, denied entry
Soumyajit Pattnaik
Bhubaneswar, November 3, 2005
American national Pamela K. Fleig was ejected from the doorstep of the 11th century Lingaraj Temple a couple of days ago — in what she said was a plain case of “racism against whites”.
Pamela and her Indian husband, Anil Kumar Yadav from Varanasi, wanted to see the famous Shiva temple on their arrival in the city on Sunday. But the priests stopped them at the entrance as the lady “was a foreigner and a non-Hindu”. They pointed to a board outside the temple, which says no entry for non-Hindus.
The couple returned to the temple the next day, only more determined this time. When stopped again, Pamela tried to explain to the priests that she had converted to Hinduism after marriage and had the right to visit the temple. But, the priests would have none of it. Her husband was kicked and punched when he insisted that Pamela, as a Hindu, had the “fundamental right” to enter the temple.
Pamela told HT: “The only reason they did not let me in was my race. They dragged my husband to the police station and beat him up there too.”
She said, “The temple does not belong to the priests only. Every Hindu is free to worship and since I’m a Hindu, I should not have been prevented from entering the temple. Just because I’m a white, they stopped me.”
Pamela said she would complain to the American embassy in Delhi.
Pamela and Anil, after an online romance, tied the knot according to Hindu rituals in April. Pamela underwent shuddhikaran rituals through the Arya Samaj and embraced Hinduism.
An FIR has been lodged for wrongful restraint, outraging the modesty of a woman and criminal intimidation.
Temple administrator Ramakanta Mishra, however, denied the charge that the couple had been roughed up.
