One small incident comes to mind now. Once in Calcutta, in the Kali temple constructed by Rani Rasmani, a Gopala idol fell down and its foot was broken a little. Since many elders declared that according to the Sastras a broken image should not be worshipped, Rani Rasmani made arrangements to get a new one made by sculptors. Ramakrishna heard of this and he reproached the Rani, saying: "Maharani, if your son-in-law breaks his leg, what will you do? What is the correct thing to do? Bandaging the foot and setting it right, or discarding the son-in-law and getting another in his stead?" The Elders and Pundits were dumb-founded; the broken foot of Gopala was set right and the image was installed and worshipped as before. See, when Bhakthi is purified and is ascendant, the Lord will be patent even in a broken idol. This too is the Dharma declared in the Sastras.

When the doors are closed, the rules might say they should not be opened; but that is only a general direction. For, when persons like Sankara, Sananda, Jayadeva, Chaithanya, Gouranga etc., come, it becomes impossible to follow the rule, is it not? Lord Krishna turned round at Udipi to give Darsan to His Bhaktha; Shiva yielded before the intensity of Nandanar's devotion. The reason for closing the doors is not connected with the Lord; such rules have been prescribed by elders for reasons unconnected with Divinity. You must have rules that do not conflict with highest conceptions of the Bhaktha. If the temple servants have no fixed timings and if everything is left to their whim and fancy, the temple will not be able to instill devotion in the mind of the ordinary man; certain limitations and regulations are needed even to arouse awe and respect which are the roots of Bhakthi. That is the reason why certain hours are laid down for the entry into temples and for the opening of the shrine for the worship. Such restrictions are not repugnant to the main principle. For, the aim of the temple is to promote Dharma, to develop the inner culture and spiritual discipline. Human behaviour, actions, attitudes - all have to be subservient to the overall need to grow in the consciousness of God as the Living Presence. So, certain rules are necessary, no doubt, for the correct performance of temple rites. Otherwise, ordinary men will not learn steadfastness, faith and discipline and they will not grow in Bhakthi. The responsibility of the Archakas, the responsibility of the Dharmakarthas in charge of temples and that of the worshipping public is great indeed. Every one must be aware of the purpose of temples and the need to carry out temple rites: They promote Sraddha and Bhakthi, more than anything else. Therefore, the doors of the temple can be opened at any time for allowing worship by ardent seekers. No one should forget or ignore this fact: "Temples exist for the progress and welfare of the Man".