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2. Promoting Human Dignity Mutual Respect & Pluralism
How Do Hindus Worship?
Promoting Human Dignity Mutual Respect & Pluralism

3. how do Hindus worship?

4. Hindus practice devotion in many ways
there are no NO REQUIRED PRACTICES OR PRAYERS to consider one’s self a Hindu
instead there are MANY PRACTICES outlined in Hindu texts or preserved through family and community traditions
… the practices are intended to help in the quest for MOKSHA (liberation)

5. three main rituals Nitya (daily offerings) Naimittika Kamya
(festivals & holidays)
Kamya
(optional)

6. 1
Nitya
offerings made at a home shrine or worshipping of family dieties
one example is puja
Many Hindus have a home shrine, with pictures or statues of their favorite incarnations of God. They worship these images much in the same way as priests conduct worship of deities in temples.

7. THE puja Ritual: focus the mind on god by using all the senses
smell
incense, camphor, and fragrant flowers
sight
focus on a murti while bathed in light
sound
bells, cymbals, chanting of Vedic mantras, and singing of devotional songs
taste
prasad, food ritually blessed by the deity
touch
engaged in all activities of the ritual

8. 2 Naimittka occur at special times of the year, such as festivals
there are special pujas and other rituals associated with Diwali and Navarati, for example

9. 3 Kamya Optional, but important
one example is pilgrimage to places like rivers, temples, and other sacred sites where God is said to have appeared.

10. what do Hindus do in temples?

11. most temples, or mandirs, are open to all who follow the guidelines
shoes
Everyone is asked to remove their shoes before entering. This is both out of respect and to help keep the temple clean.
modesty
Men and women will dress modestly before entering a temple (i.e. revealing clothing is generally avoided).
leather products
Many temples ask their guests to avoid wearing leather products to temples out of respect for cows.
offerings
Many Hindus like to bring an expression of gratitude. Offerings can be as simple fruit or flowers, though money is offered as well. Often once the fruit or flowers have been offered to the deity, they are returned with blessings to the individual who offered them.

12. Darshan, or viewing of murti
at specific times, the screen will be pulled back to reveal the MURTI DECKED IN FLOWER GARLANDS
after DARSHAN the priest will sing a hymn while performing a ritual waving of lights – AARTI – done by circling a brass plate filled with candles around the deity’s face
the worshippers may be offered the flame’s blessings and holy water, a TILAK (mark on the forehead), and PRASAD (blessed item) which may be a sweet or flowers

13. famous Hindu sites & temples

14. Mount Kailas
This peak in present day Tibet was once considered the center of Hindu civilization by ancient Hindus. It is thought of as the home of the God Shiva and his wife Parvati.
Because it is considered Shiva’s sacred home, many Hindus do not think it is appropriate to climb. The peak is also considered holy by Buddhists, Jains, and the native Tibetan Bonpos.

15. Benares/Varanasi Also known as Kashi.
There is some archeological evidence suggesting that Kashi is the oldest continuously inhabited city in the world.
This “City of Light” is an intellectual capital (hosting four universities), and is considered Shiva’s favorite city.
Many Hindus believe that those who die in Kashi go directly to heaven. The Ganga river flows through Kashi, and there are often cremations taking place on its banks in this city.

16. Prayag
The Kumbha Mela is a festival that takes place every three years, and alternates between four sites. The fourth is Prayag, and the Kumbha Mela there is the largest.
In 2013, 100 million people visited the site over the course of 55 days.
Hindus of every sect and denomination gather to worship in their own way, in an atmosphere of mutual respect.

17. Tirupati
This is the most visited pilgrimage site in the world. About 30,000 devotees show up every day of the year, and the Sri Venkateshvara temple collects about $6 million a day.
Devotees walk up 10,000 steps for darshan of Venkateshvara, a form of Vishnu. Hindus believe that any wish made before this deity will come true, and tell stories of miracles and healings that have taken place at this shrine.

18. simple guidelines at a mandir Hindus keep a home shrine
key takeaways
while there are no required practices,
Rituals
are believed to help individuals progress towards liberation
there are a few
simple guidelines at a mandir
like removing shoes and dressing modestly
there are famous mandirs across the world, but most
Hindus keep a home shrine
for daily worship

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