Hinduism is a major world religion with a deep tradition and spirituality. Within Hinduism exist many rituals and practices, some intended to maintain the sanctity and continuity of the religion, others deeply connected to mythology or the gods and goddesses of Hinduism. From major life events like weddings and funerals to the daily rituals of puja and darshan, Hinduism is rich in rituals.
Daily worship may include offering puja, or prayer and offerings of food, rather simple objects such as incense sticks and flowers, or more intricate offerings based on the people’s finances and devotion. Puja can be offered to a wide range of gods and goddesses in Hinduism, from the Supreme God of Brahman to lesser-known forms, such as the goddess Lakshmi. Believers may also undertake darshan, a practice of looking at a representation of a deity with reverence.
In Hinduism, life cycles are marked with major rituals and liturgies. While there are several life-cycle events – including thread ceremonies, or sacred thread ceremonies called Upanayan; first-rice ceremonies, known as Annaprashan; and wedding ceremonies – important Hindu death rituals majorly consist of cremation and participation in memorial services. In Hinduism, cremation is not just a physical process, it is also seen as a way to release the soul and assist it to move on to the afterlife. Memorial service date and time vary depending on the Hindu calendar and when the body is cremation.
Apart from the rituals associated with death, Hindus also celebrate a variety of festivals which are immensely important in their day-to-day lives, marking eras, anniversaries and important dates within the religion. Some of these festivals include Diwali, Dussehra, Holi and Janmashtami. During Diwali, Hindus clean the entire house from outside to inside, burning candles and Diyas and performing puja to Lakshmi and Ganesh. On Dussehra, the day marks the victory over Ravan, and a giant effigy of Ravan is burned. On Holi, people play with colors and water on each other, taking part in feasts and celebration. Last, Janmashtami marks the birth of Lord Krishna.
One other popular practice in Hinduism is pilgrimage, or the journey that a Hindu takes to sacred places associated with their faith. Commonly, Hindus will visit temples, places of miraculous events associated with gods or goddesses or the birthplace of a god or goddess. All of these spiritual sites will normally have a form of deity associated with them, and some devotees will even walk many miles in reverence to these places. Pilgrims will typically cross sacred rivers such as the Ganges and harvest river water as a form of blessing for their home. The pilgrims also may visit ashrams and perform a variety of cleansing rituals associated with Hinduism.
Life Events
Hindu life-cycle ceremonies, or samskaras, are conducted throughout a Hindu’s life, beginning at conception and continuing until death and beyond. The samskaras are a combination of a religious rite, prayer, and social celebrations. These ceremonies are important in traditional religions as they represent the individual’s journey in the society.
The first life-cycle ceremonies take place while the individual is still in the womb. Annaprashan and Jatakarma are two of the most important samskaras during this time. Annaprashan is the ritual of feeding a baby rice for the first time. While Jatakarma is a welcome ceremony that is held on the sixth day after the baby’s birth. During the ceremony, a priest will chant mantras and sprinkle holy water on the baby and the parents.
The most important life-cycle ceremony is the thread ceremony, called Upanayan. At this ceremony, the boy is ‘invested’ with a sacred thread and is invited to take his place as a member of ‘twice-born’ caste. After the Upanayan ceremony, the Hindu boy is eligible to join the local temple community, learn the Vedas and become a teacher.
The next important rites are marriage and the entry into adulthood. This is a joyous occasion with many traditions and customs. These include tying a necklace around the neck of the bride, the ceremony of exchanging garlands, the seven steps around the fire and the blessings of the gods and goddesses. The marriage is an opportunity for families and community members to come together and celebrate the happy union of the two individuals.
Sacred Texts
The scriptures of Hinduism are an integral part of religious practice. These scriptures are divided into two categories: shruti, or “that which is heard”, and smriti, or “that which is remembered”.
Shruti is held to be the original source of Hindu teachings, coming directly from the gods or their divinely inspired teachers. It is composed of four Vedas, the Rig Veda, Yajur Veda, Sama Veda and Atharva Veda, and the Upanishads.
Smriti, on the other hand, is composed of various codes of conduct and life stages, as well as stories, hymns and verses. These writings are treasures of ancient wisdom on ethical and religious duties, time-honored customs and social norms. They are still widely accepted, although modern Hinduism has evolved through time and different interpretations of these philosophies can be found.
The Vedas and Shruti are treated with great respect by Hindus and in many temples and ashrams, recitation of their texts is a common practice. Scholars are held in high regard because of their ability to interpret and expound on the ancient Hindu texts.
Yoga and Meditation
One of the main components of Hinduism is Yoga, which includes physical exercises, breathing techniques, and meditation practices. Within the Vedas and other ancient texts, yoga is closely linked with Hinduism. It is said to be the spiritual path leading to union with God.
One practice associated with yoga is meditation. Mindfulness meditation is widely practiced in India, having an important role in Hinduism. It is a form of meditation that focuses on attention to the present moment and awareness of one’s thoughts, feelings, and physical sensations. By doing this, practitioners can detach themselves from their negative feelings and attain mental clarity and inner wisdom.
Meditation helps one become aware of the spiritual energy within them and its connection to the cosmic reality. It helps people to understand their environment, the world and its interconnectivity. The practice of meditation helps to elevate one’s consciousness and increase mindfulness in daily life. It also allows a person to gain access to higher levels of spiritual discernment and insight.
Holy Symbols
Hinduism is rich in symbols and symbols are central to many Hindu beliefs. A variety of symbols are used to represent Hindu deities, impart spiritual lessons, and convey cultural values. Examples of symbols include deities, animals, and plants.
Aum, the most sacred sound in Hinduism, is the symbol of Brahman, the Universal Soul. It is believed that by reciting Aum correctly, a person can reach enlightenment and enter a state of immeasurable joy or nirvana. Other common symbols include the Swastika, which symbolizes the journey of life, and the trident, which is said to represent the three aspects of the universe.
The lotus flower is another important symbol in Hinduism and is often associated with Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity and abundance. The flower grows from murky and muddy water to reveal a beautiful and delicate blossom, symbolizing that beauty and purity can be found in even the most difficult and testing of times.
The Hindu religion is incredibly rich and offers a wealth of religious rituals and practices. The unique and varied rituals of Hinduism keep the tradition alive for generations and will continue to do so for many more to come.
