Worship

Hindus say any activity we do that takes us closer to God is called worship. There are no hard and fast rules about worship. The best time for worship is considered to be dusk and dawn when everything seems to be peaceful.

Shrine room (or shrine): is the place where worship is done in the house.

Deity (the form of God being worshipped) is placed on a raised and well-decorated platform.

Water may be sprinkled around the shrine as a symbol to purify.

Flowers may be offered as symbol of offering our heart to God.

Fruit and cooked food may be offered to God. At the end of the worship this becomes holy (prashad) and is distributed and eaten by everyone.

Lamp is lit to dispel darkness (ignorance).

Incense may be burnt - the sweet scent goes everywhere to symbolise God being everywhere.

Bell may be rung to awaken the deity and also to block out other disturbing sounds.

Tilak - (mark on the forehead) may be made to awaken spirituality. The mark is usually made with red powder (kumkum).

Prayers or sacred verses may be sung.

Aarti (waving a lamp in front of the deity) ceremony may be carried out to invoke and welcome the deity.

Camphor is burnt to symbolise burning of our egos.

Japa or telling beads while repeating God's name may be carried out.

Sacred scriptures may be read, or meditation may be practiced after the prayers.

Temples

Hindus say temples are the homes of God on earth. There are no hard and fast rules about when to go to the temple. Hindus go to the temple to get 'Darshan' (catch sight of God they worship). We may take some fruits or flowers or other items as offerings. When we arrive at the temple we remove our shoes before entering the temple. There is normally a bell that we ring to announce our presence to God.

The main deity (form of God being worshipped) is normally kept in the inner shrine. The outer walls may have smaller shrines showing other deities. The worship is similar to the worship in the home using the same kind of artefacts. There may be corporate singing ('bhajans') accompanied by musical instruments. We may observe the 'aarti' ceremony (a lamp is gently waved in front of the deity in a clockwise direction). The lamp is passed around and everyone cups their hands over the lamp to receive blessings. We may go round the image / deity to pay our respects. When we leave we receive 'prashad' (food that was offered during worship).