Hindu Worship
Jan 11, 2016
Hindu Worship
Puja
Home worship
Offerings made to deities – offerings paced on a tray in-front of a deity
Includes flowers, fruits incense sticks, water, milk clarified butter and a lamp
Can be done daily or on festival days
Puja continued
Traditional puja involves 16 steps
All puja concludes with waving of a lamp – Arati, around an alter while worshippers sing hymns and verses of prayer
After prayers, food is redistributed amongst the worshippers as a gift from that deity – gift called prasad
Puja continued
Homa – ritual that involves burning offerings in a fire assembled according to Vedic
guidelines blessed by a priest (Brahmin)
Smoke brings healing an elevated spiritual awareness – purifies the atmosphere and heavens
Mantras are chanted while lighting the Homa fire - brings forward the energy of the deities
1 hour sitting at a Homa fire is equivalent to 1 month of meditation
Types of Temple Worship Japa - Individual silent or soft repetition
of mantras.
Bhajan - Singing of religious songs, individually or in a group, usually accompanied by instruments.
Kirtan – (to repeat) Congregational chanting of holy mantras accompanied by instruments and
simple dance.
Arotik - This is an ancient ceremony wherein certain pleasing articles are offered to the Lord in his deity form, accompanied by kirtan
Puja video clip (New York Hindu TempleWorship video clip
Temple Worship Temple visits during festival times
or special functions
Worship led by Brahmin priest
Priest bathing, removes shoes, rings temple bell
The deities are prepared: bathed, offered fresh flowers, incense and food
Offerings are made on behalf of the devotees
After final prayer, blessed food is redistributed -Prasad
Images of Temple Worship
Images of Temple Worship Continued:
Images of Temple Worship Continued:
Images of Temple Worship Continued:
Pilgrimage: Journey to Holy places
Reasons to Pilgrimage
To remember special people (saints)
To fix the mind on God and to glorify Him
For spiritual development and to gain spiritual merit
For purification and atonement of sins
For meeting and taking guidance from holy people
To perform specific religious rites
For self-reflection and contemplation
For an uplifting and memorable experience (spiritual inspiration)
Activities done while on Pilgrimage
Taking darshan or specific deities on your journey
Participating in worship (e.g. kirtan)
Charity, especially to priests and temples
Austerities and penance (such as shaving the head, and following certain vows such as celibacy)
Listening to talks and receiving advice on spiritual life
Specific rites / rituals