Behind Every Temple (https://behindeverytemple.org/) was born out of Ananda Prateeka’s first-hand experience with the heartbreaking neglect of countless ancient temples across India. He was born on Krishna Janmashtami in 1982, yet his spiritual reawakening came years later during his freshman year of college. His journey eventually led him to become a certified Dharma Ambassador through the Hindu American Foundation. Along the way, he met his Tamil wife, Sugi, whose deep devotion inspired him further. Together, they now serve as Co-Founders of Behind Every Temple, driven by a shared vision to honor and restore India’s sacred spaces.
You mention in your website being inspired by Paramahansa Yoganand ji. He has inspired many Westerners to turn to Sanatana Dharma. How did his teachings impact you?
You could say Yoganandaji was my first Guru in this life. Even though I never physically met Him, every single page in the Autobiography of a Yogi felt like an initiation. My whole being instantly recognized the deep truths contained in that book and it inspired me to start digging deeper into Sanatana Dharma. Even today, I still like to go back and re-read all of His books as every time I read them, something new pops out to me and gives me insight into a particular area of my life that I was not aware of before.
Could you tell us about how you see the link between a guru, an inspirational book, a practice and a sacred space coming together to change how one lives one's life.
I recognize the three pillars of Hinduism which are: scriptures, temples and Gurus. It is these three things that have protected Sanatana Dharma for thousands of years. Just reading sacred scriptures is not enough. We need to use the knowledge to go deeper into our sadhana to gain our direct realization of the truths contained in the sacred texts. Temples are also foundational because they are consecrated energy centers that help us effortlessly connect with the Divine and experience that powerful Shakti directly. Additionally, any sadhana done within the radius of an energized temple becomes even more magnified and thus leads to deeper and quicker realizations when sadhana is practiced sincerely. Lastly, it is the Guru that makes the esoteric teachings of the scriptures come alive and illustrates them as a practical experience. I love reading about the lives of Gurus, Siddhas, and Saints because their lives are also sacred scriptures because their leelas encapsulate the teachings in all sacred texts but are made accessible for everyone to understand. For me, all three of these pillars are essential on the path.
How did you and your wife feel about exploring temples? Was it aesthetics first and devotion later or do the two exist parallelly.
It was both at the same time. When you enter some of these ancient temples, you are shocked wondering how they could have been made without modern technology and with absolute precision. Combined with the intense energy one feels entering the temple, both the physical and spiritual qualities had a profound impact! For me, temples have always acted like a Mother that helps nourish all my spiritual needs.
What were the criteria for selecting the temples under your Behind Every Temple project. How have you supported them?
This was all Divine Grace and being at the right place at the right time. One important factor is that we want to ensure the local community also gets involved and helps with some donations according to their ability as they will be the ones who will ensure the temple keeps running smoothly once the kumbabhishekam is complete.
How did you create awareness among non-Indians about temples being the fulcrum of local devotional activities?
We try and create awareness via social media and our website. In the West, many "new age" practices are becoming very popular but most of them are just appropriating Hindu practices while cutting off the roots of the practice. We seek to bridge that knowledge gap and help educate people about the science behind Hindu rituals and temples so people can begin to understand and appreciate the depth and beauty that is Sanatana Dharma. Temples are extremely important to protect this wisdom because temples are not just spiritual incubators. They also serve as centers of dance, culture, and music. They are the foundation upon which Sanatana Dharma can flourish.
Often access, local conditions and good can be tricky even in the most popular Temple towns. What would be your advice to visitors?
Enjoy the ride! Pilgrims from Western countries who might not be familiar with India should just relax and enjoy the whole experience. Pilgrimage in India is no joke. It is a powerful process that is sure to bring you face to face with a variety of situations all designed to help push you to grow and understand where your own personal blocks are. For me, the "rawness" in India is what makes me feel so alive. Whatever you think you have planned might indeed turn in a completely different direction. Pilgrimage is an opportunity to learn to joyfully surrender in the moment at least during the trip in hopes that, once you return to your "normal life routine", you can begin to surrender deeper and deeper into that to experience the bliss and freedom it delivers.
Which Temple has moved you the most in terms of needing support as well as touch a chord with you?
Honestly, all of them. Each temple has its own special history and shakti and I don't think I would be able to single out only one. But, what has touched me the most is the people. I remember there was one priest I met deep in a remote part of Tamil Nadu. He was taking care of doing daily pujas to a severely dilapidated temple for Perumal. He and his wife lived in a very simple, small, thatched hut near the temple and he was as happy and fulfilled as he could be. His only desire is to see the temple fully renovated but, even in the moment, he was so full of bliss just being given the opportunity to worship Perumal daily. This kind of devotion is so inspiring and beautiful to see and India is filled with these kinds of pure souls that deeply inspire me.
How can temples in India be a global symbol of sacred architecture and spaces much like Angor Wat, Stonehenge? Indian temples being magnificent examples of tradition and modernity in ancient Indian thought.
I think getting people to understand the immense depth of science and spirituality behind the temples is important. That being said, it's also important to remember that these are not tourist spots. They are sacred energy centers designed to uplift individuals so they need to be approached with a sacred and respectful mindset.
How do you think Westerners should experience and research Indian temples. You have documented many shrines. Is there a method to the process?
I encourage Westerners who are inspired by Sanatana Dharma to first research temples around their favorite Diety and then follow their heart as to which temples they want to experience. In reality, it is not us who are deciding so we just need to allow the Divine to guide us to the correct temple(s). Even then, sometimes our pilgrimage plan may not work out as we planned but we end up having another experience or visiting another temple that gives us what we were seeking and needing.
How would you describe your spiritual journey in terms of transformation and a giving back to society?
That's a hard question to answer but I can say my spiritual journey has been one of unfolding and opening myself more and more. The deeper I go into my personal sadhana (and every time I go on pilgrimage,) the more gratitude I have towards this land and the rich history of India. That gratitude simply translates into doing whatever little things I can do to help give back and ensure Hindu temples and traditions are protected and nourished for future generations.
(For information about Behind Every Temple do visit their website https://behindeverytemple.org/)
