ATITHI DEVO BHAVA INTRODUCTION Atithi Devo Bhava means Guests are God, and they must be given proper respect according to ancient Hindu tradition. Guests must be welcomed to our homes, with due respect, and they must be offered good and delicious food. We should always speak to them softly andRead More →

INTRODUCTION Tarpanam is a type of Vedic practice and it is an offering made to the divine deities by chanting divine mantras. Tilatarpanam means offering made by a person to his deceased father / mother and to the Pitrus (Departed souls of our ancestors) using water and sesame seeds during the annual death ceremony or onRead More →

Introduction यज् ‘Yaja’ means to offer, and it refers to the Vedic ritual which includes chanting of Mantras in a specific manner by experts, with oblations of ‘ghee’ and other sacred herbs into the holy fire. ‘Yajna’ also means sacrifice and it is a part of the ‘Karmakanda’ portion of the Vedas. It is believed that aRead More →

Introduction Ocimum basilicum or sweet basil is known across the world for its medicinal value as the plant contains immense healing properties for the treatment of cancer, stress, asthma, diabetes, skin disorders etc. But in Indian culture, this plant is also considered extremely sacred and pious. The Basil, known asRead More →

Introduction Kalasha is a jar which is used variously in a variety of rituals. In Indian tradition a Kalasha is installed during all religious, auspicious and important ceremonies which is known as Kalashasthapana. Normally installing Kalasha is considered as an option for all complicated religious practices. Hence it is aRead More →

In The Words Of Lord Krishna In Bhagavad-Gita, The Sacred Book Of Hindu Religion, Lord Krishna Makes Clear The Concept Of Worshiping Him As An Incarnation Of The Supreme Being. 1. Isvarah Sarva-Bhutanam Hrd-Dese’rjuna Tishthati, Bhramayan Sarva-Bhutani Yantrarudhani Mayaya (Bhagavad-Gita 18.61) Meaning – Give Up All Other Duties And SurrenderRead More →

Introduction Since ages, Indian society has been worshiping trees and plants as symbolic deities. Hindus also consider the flora and fauna of various types as extremely sacred. This inherent nature of the society exhibits the refinement and sensitivity of Indian culture. Whilst modern man overpowers Mother Nature, ancient Indian societyRead More →

Introduction It is an Indian tradition to greet each other with Namaskara. Namaskara or Namaste could be just a casual or formal greeting, a cultural convention or an act of worship with devotional and respectful mind. What is Namaskara? Namaskara is bowing down with clasped palms in front of aRead More →

How to perform Aarti? Aarti belongs to one of the sixteen steps (shodash upachaar) of the Hindu puja ritual. It is referred to as an auspicious light, illumining pure spiritual effulgence (mangal niraajanam). Holding the lighted lamp in the right hand, we wave the flame in a clockwise circling movementRead More →

What is Naivedya? Naivedya is included in the Shodashopachara worship. The holy ritual involves two steps. The first step involves offering food to God before anyone else has eaten or tasted it. In the second step, a portion of the offering is returned to the person offering it for eatingRead More →

Introduction Coconut has great significance in India. It has religious and social connotations. One of the most common offerings in a temple is a coconut. Various names of coconut Coconut is known as Narikela in Sanskrit. It is known as Shrifala, auspicious fruit. It is also known Mahafala, great fruitRead More →