Worship
Hindu worship is usually an individual act. Worshippers repeat the names of their gods and goddesses.
Puja – ritual worship
Arti – the greeting ceremony with lamps
Bhajan or Kirtan – hymns and chants
Prasad – offering and eating sacred food
Pravachan – talk or lecture on the scriptures
Havan – the sacred fire ceremony
Japa/Meditation/Prayer – practices of worship
Home
Family members often worship together in the room. They are required to pray three times each day.
Temple
At a Hindu temple, different parts of the building have a different spiritual or symbolic meaning.
-The central shrine is the heart of the worshipper
-The tower represents the flight of the spirit to heaven
Religious rites
Nitya rituals : performed daily and consist in offerings made at the home shrine or performing puja to the family deities.
Naimittika rituals : only occur at certain times during the year ( celebrations of the festivals, thanksgiving) .
Pilgrimage
Pilgrimage is an important aspect of Hinduism. It's an undertaking to see and be seen by the deity.
Popular pilgrimage places are rivers, temples, mountains, and other sacred sites in India.
Kumbh Mela
Once every 12 years, millions of people share in ritual bathing at the Kumbh Mela festival. People believe that their sins will be washed away.
Puja – ritual worship
Arti – the greeting ceremony with lamps
Bhajan or Kirtan – hymns and chants
Prasad – offering and eating sacred food
Pravachan – talk or lecture on the scriptures
Havan – the sacred fire ceremony
Japa/Meditation/Prayer – practices of worship
Home
Family members often worship together in the room. They are required to pray three times each day.
Temple
At a Hindu temple, different parts of the building have a different spiritual or symbolic meaning.
-The central shrine is the heart of the worshipper
-The tower represents the flight of the spirit to heaven
Religious rites
Nitya rituals : performed daily and consist in offerings made at the home shrine or performing puja to the family deities.
Naimittika rituals : only occur at certain times during the year ( celebrations of the festivals, thanksgiving) .
Pilgrimage
Pilgrimage is an important aspect of Hinduism. It's an undertaking to see and be seen by the deity.
Popular pilgrimage places are rivers, temples, mountains, and other sacred sites in India.
Kumbh Mela
Once every 12 years, millions of people share in ritual bathing at the Kumbh Mela festival. People believe that their sins will be washed away.