[americanophile]

...add to that the fact that most of these temples had one main door - in the portico. If you want to say your morning prayers, or “be about their business early in the day” as you say, it’s nice to have the sun coming in to illuminate the place, no?

[muawiyah]

That too, although I think the priests were more interested in getting the "burnt offerings" going early so the roasts would be ready for lunch!

A little light in the kitchen area would be great for the cooks.

(NOTE: Little noted event ~ burnt offerings were common throughout the Classical World ~ particularly after they abolished infanticide and human sacrifice.)