In Sanatan Dharma, worship is far beyond a mere ritual. It is a sacred communion with the Divine, marked by intense reverence, inner purity, and complete surrender of the ego. One of the most commonly observed traditions across Hindu households and temples is the practice of removing footwear before worship. While it may appear to be a simple act of etiquette or cleanliness, this gesture carries profound spiritual, cultural, and scriptural significance.
Let us explore in depth why shoes and slippers are removed during worship, the insights offered by ancient Hindu scriptures, and the symbolism rooted in centuries-old traditions that continue to shape devotional practices in modern times.
Shoes and Worship in Sanatan Dharma: A Question of Purity
According to Hindu scriptures, purity is the foundation of any act of worship. Whether one is performing a simple puja at home or a grand ritual at a temple, approaching the deity requires both physical cleanliness and mental sanctity.
Texts like the Manusmriti, Garuda Purana, and Agni Purana explicitly emphasize the need to cleanse the body, wear fresh garments, and remove footwear before engaging in prayer. In these scriptures, shoes are associated with the external world, laden with dust, impurities, and ego — all of which are to be left behind when one enters the divine space.
To stand before God while wearing shoes is viewed as equivalent to carrying the pollution of the outside world into a sacred zone. While not considered a sin per se, such an act reflects a lack of spiritual understanding and can diminish the reverence of the moment.
Scriptural References: What Do Hindu Texts Say About Wearing Footwear During Puja?
Manusmriti (Chapter 4, Verse 57): “One should not enter a temple, a place of sacrifice, or sit for study with shoes, unclean clothes, or impure body.”
Garuda Purana (Chapter 91): “When approaching the divine for worship, the devotee must be clean in body, free of dust, and barefoot, as a sign of humility.”
Padma Purana: Highlights that entering sacred spaces barefoot enhances the energy exchange between the devotee and the divine, fostering inner awakening.
These references are not framed as rigid commandments, but as guiding principles born out of bhakti (devotion) and shraddha (faith). The removal of shoes becomes a symbolic purification, marking the devotee’s readiness to connect with the Supreme Consciousness.
Cultural Practices: Why Are Shoes Removed Before Entering Temples and Homes?
Across India, and in many cultures influenced by Sanatan Dharma, it is customary to remove shoes before entering:
Temples and Shrines
Homes with sacred altars
Ashrams and Gurukuls
Places of meditation and satsang
This practice is deeply tied to the belief that divine energy (Shakti) resides in these places. Shoes, being in constant contact with the ground, filth, and negativity, are considered unfit for such pure spaces.
When we remove footwear, we symbolically remove:
Ego (ahamkara)
Pride of position or wealth
Restlessness of the outside world
Attachment to worldly identity
Thus, standing barefoot before the Divine is not just a physical act — it becomes a spiritual declaration: “I come to You with nothing but my soul, stripped of all worldly coverings.”
Spiritual Symbolism: Walking Barefoot as an Offering of Humility
In Hinduism, bare feet have always been associated with surrender. Saints, sages, and pilgrims often walk barefoot to temples or holy rivers as a form of tapasya (penance) and devotion.
The removal of shoes while worshiping is a gesture of humility, indicating that the devotee recognizes the greatness of the Divine and acknowledges their own smallness in the cosmic design.
Furthermore, it is believed that:
Mother Earth (Bhoomi Devi) absorbs negative energy through bare feet.
Walking barefoot in holy spaces enhances grounding and mindfulness.
It activates the nervous system and energy centers, allowing deeper meditation.
Thus, the absence of footwear enables a complete sensory and spiritual presence before the deity.
Is It a Sin to Worship With Shoes On?
From a theological perspective, it is important to differentiate between sin (paap) and impropriety (ashishta). Worshiping with shoes on is not explicitly categorized as sinful, but it is widely regarded as inappropriate and disrespectful.
If done knowingly, it can indicate:
A lack of spiritual sensitivity
Disregard for devotional customs
An egoistic stance before the Divine
However, in situations where a person is unaware or physically incapable (due to illness, injury, etc.), compassion and intention matter more than form. Sanatan Dharma has always prioritized bhava (inner emotion) over external display.
Why Footwear is Removed Even During Home Worship
Even in home pujas, devotees observe the same discipline:
Shoes are left at the entrance.
Feet are washed before entering the prayer area.
The worship space is kept separate and sacred, often elevated or enclosed.
This reinforces the understanding that God’s presence is not limited to temples, but also exists in every home. The altar or puja room is treated with equal reverence — a place where divinity is invited, and therefore, demands the same standards of purity and decorum.
Modern Challenges vs. Eternal Principles
In today’s urban lifestyle, some may find the tradition of removing shoes before prayer as inconvenient or unnecessary, especially when worshiping in public spaces or workplaces. However, the essence remains unshaken.
Even amidst modernity, reverence cannot be compromised. Adjustments may be made — such as having clean socks, designated indoor sandals, or separate prayer areas — but the spirit of respect and humility must be preserved.
The act of removing shoes is not a burden but a beautiful reminder — a moment to pause and realign our minds before stepping into the divine space.
What Astrologers and Priests Say
Ajay Kaushik, a Delhi-based astrologer, emphasizes that worship is a direct interaction with cosmic energies. Wearing footwear during this exchange creates an energetic barrier, limiting the connection.
He explains:
“When you remove your shoes, you symbolically remove your ego and worldliness. The ground itself becomes your witness, and your feet become the conductors of your devotion. In astrology, this simple gesture strengthens the link between the devotee and planetary energies.”
Priests and spiritual teachers across India uphold this belief, stating that devotion begins with discipline, and such small acts of humility open the door to greater spiritual insight.
Conclusion: Barefoot Before the Divine – A Step Toward Inner Purity
Removing shoes while worshiping is far more than a matter of cleanliness or culture. It is a deeply spiritual practice rooted in ancient wisdom, echoing humility, reverence, and spiritual awareness.
By stepping barefoot into the sacred, we remind ourselves that before God, we are all equal — stripped of status, caste, wealth, and ego. It is not about punishment or fear, but about respect and surrender.
Let us continue to uphold this profound tradition, not as a mechanical rule, but as a living expression of our devotion, humility, and understanding of the eternal truths of Sanatan Dharma.
