Hinduism permeates all aspects of life among believers. It affects what Hindus eat, the nature of worship, the generation of art and architecture, and the celebration of festivals and holidays. Hindu literature and music is richly celebrated with the stories of Hindu gods, and the calendar year is crowded with festivals sacred to each of the particular deities.


A Hindu Home Altar
A Hindu Temple
in South India

Worship

Hindu worship consists of ritual (puja) and the viewing of images (darshan.) Images are known as (murtis.) Worship is conducted both in the home and in temples. Temples are built as microcosms of the universe; the highest points of temples are symbolic of the center of the universe. The ritual act of entering into the sacred center of a temple is in turn symbolic of the spiritual entering into oneness with the sacred center of the universe. Hindu worship invovles using chants, (mantras) sacred geometric mandalas known as yantras,and offerings known as prasads

A Yantra

Pilgrimages


Pilgrimages form an important part of Hinduism. Specific areas are sometimes identified with particular gods or goddesses where there are usually shrines to honor the dieties. Sacred sites may also be associated with significant events. Kurukshetra, for examples, is the site of the famous battle in theMahabharata. Other sites have symbolic meanings:the river ford of Varanasi si believed to be literally the place where the bridge from the real to the ephemeral world is located. The Ganges River which is most sacred river to Hindus is thought to be the purest at Varanasi. The river itself is worshipped as the goddess Ganga.

Festivals

Hindu festivals celebrate not only the different gods of the Hindu pantheon, but are often connected to the changes in the season. Festivals in India are both meant as sacred celebrations as well as for pleasure. Every festival has its own symbolizing the destruction of the old year. On the next day, the Holicelebrants engage in the ritual flinging of red powder at each other as a way of ensuring good luck in the coming year.

Although there are literally hundred of different Hindu festivals the main festivals are as followers:

Lohri which is celebrated in Punjab in January to mark the termination of winter;

Pongalthe south India rice festival in February;

Holi which takes place in March to commemorate the new year;

Shivaratriwhich also takes place in March to honor the god Shiva;

Sri Vaishnavas is the festival in April honoring Vishnu. This festival is usuallu marked in madras and marks the beginning of the hot season;

Rathyatra in May marks the birthday of Jaganath and is usually marked with chariot races;

Janmashtami in Augustis the festival that celebrates the birthday of the god Krishna. Hindus generally fast during the day and mark the celebration with special puja.

There are two important festivals that are marked among Hindus in September: Ganesh Chaturthi is the birthday celebration of the elephant-head god Gansha; and Dusserahhonors Rama and the triumph of the good over evil.

In October, Hindus celebrate Diwalior the Festival of Lights where Rama and his consort are honored. Diwaliusually lasts for five days.

The Hindu Pantheon of Gods
Stories of the Hindu Gods
Hindusim Home Page
Web Sites on Hinduism