Places of Hindu Worship

This section explains the places used in Hindu Worship. Hindus engage in worship through a variety of practices, such as meditation, prayer, the celebration of festivals, and pilgrimage. Worship can take place in the home or in temples, which are known as mandirs. A core aspect of Hindu life is the concept of dharma, which involves doing good and living righteously.

Places of Worship

While Hindu scriptures do not prescribe specific rules regarding when Hindus should attend the temple, it is common for many Hindus to visit temples on significant days or during religious festivals. Temples are often dedicated to particular deities, and inside these temples, one will find statues or images representing these deities. These statues or images are referred to as murti.

Hindu worship is commonly called puja, a practice that involves various elements, including the use of murti, prayers, mantras, and offerings.

Features of Worship

Worship at the Temple

In temples, certain rituals are performed that Hindus believe enable them to communicate with the deity they are focusing on during their worship. For instance, it is customary for worshippers to walk in a clockwise direction around a shrine that houses the statue (murti) of the deity in its inner sanctum. In addition, offerings such as fruits, flowers, and other items are often brought to the temple to be blessed by the deity. While worship at the temple is a personal experience, it is also a communal one, as many Hindus gather for this shared act of devotion.

Worship in the Home

A significant number of Hindus have their own private shrines at home. These shrines are dedicated spaces where they place images of deities that hold personal significance. Many Hindus worship more frequently at home than they do in temples. Their home shrines are used for making offerings and prayers. The shrine is considered the most sacred part of the home and is treated with great reverence.

Worship at Holy Places

Hindu worship is not confined to temples or buildings; it can also take place outdoors in sacred locations. There are many holy sites in nature where Hindus worship, such as hills, rivers, and other natural features. One such sacred place is the Himalayas, which Hindus revere as the earthly representation of the Hindu god Himavat. Additionally, Hindus believe that many plants and animals are sacred, and as a result, many Hindus adopt a vegetarian lifestyle, striving to live in harmony with and show compassion to all living beings.

The Importance of Devotion and Offering

The Bhagavad Gita, one of the most important texts in Hinduism, teaches that worship should be an act of loving devotion. In Chapter 9, Verse 14, it encourages Hindus to worship God with a loving heart, saying, "I am the act of offering." This verse reflects the central role that offerings play in Hindu worship, both in temples and at home shrines. Making offerings; whether food, flowers, or other tokens, forms an integral part of Hindu worship, symbolising both devotion and reverence for the divine.

Hindu worship can take place in a variety of settings: at home, in temples, or in nature. Each form of worship reflects the deep devotion that Hindus have towards their deities and the importance of spiritual connection through personal and communal acts of worship.