1. Why do we do “Namaste”?

Namaste is spoken to greet anyone. In Sanskrit namah + te = namaste..means – I bow to you – my greetings, salutations or prostration to you. It is done with both palms placed together in front of the chest and the head bowed It has a spiritual significance of negating or reducing one's ego in the presence of another and establishing a bond of unity of divinity between the greeter and greeted. Namaste could be just a casual or formal greeting, or an act of worship.

2. Why do we prostrate before parents and elders?

Prostration and/or touching feet of parents, elders, teachers and noble souls is a superior means of greeting to invite grace and blessings particularly on important occasions like the beginning of a new task, birthdays, festivals etc. In certain traditional circles, prostration is accompanied by abhivaadana, which serves to introduce one-self by announcing one's family and social stature.

Touching the feet in prostration is a sign of respect and humility for the age, maturity, nobility and divinity that our elders personify. It symbolizes our recognition of their selfless love for us and the sacrifices they have done for our welfare. It is a way of humbly acknowledging the greatness of another. This tradition reflects the strong family ties, which has been one of India's enduring strengths.

3. Why do we have a prayer room?

To remind us and our visitors that God resides with us in our homes, Hindu homes always have a Prayer Room and/or Altar. Just as each room in a house is dedicated to a specific function, like the bedroom for resting, the drawing room to receive guests, the kitchen for cooking etc. the Prayer room is dedicated for prayer, worship, and meditation--- for private time with God. It is decorated for worship, just as the furniture, decor and the atmosphere of each other room in a home are made conducive to the purpose it serves, Prayer Room is decorated with Altar Pictures, Deities and articles of worship, comfortable seating etc.

The Prayer Room instills the faith that God is the true owner and master of the house and members of household are only servers to Divine --to rid false pride and possessiveness.

4. Why do we light a lamp?

A lamp/ Diya is lit before the altar in a home and for any worship. Light removes darkness therefore symbolizes knowledge over ignorance. It is lit to remain a witness to our actions of worship. During many Sanskaras and Worships, Diya is worshipped as symbol of Agni/Energy.

Question arises why not light a bulb or tube light? That too would remove darkness. But the traditional oil or ghee lamp has a further spiritual significance. The oil or ghee in the lamp symbolizes our vaasanas or negative tendencies and the wick, the ego. When lit with this understanding, lighting of Diya slowly exhausts the ego.

5. Why do we wear marks (tilak) on the forehead?

The tilak is put on the forehead on a spot between the eyebrows to invoke divinity and wisdom. The color and shape and substance used for tilak identify caste and/or association with a certain religious practice, following of a sect, and/or worship of certain Form of God (Vishnu, Shiva, Shakti, etc.) Vishnu worshippers apply a Chandan tilak of the shape of "U", Shiva worshippers a tripundra Bhoof Bhasma(ashes) and Shakti (Devi) worshippers a red dot of Kumkum.

6. Why do we apply the holy ash?

Bhasma, also called Vibhuti (which means "glory"), is created from Homa (offering of oblations into the fire with sacred chants). It is known to provide glory and protection from evil.

Bhasma is generally applied on the forehead. Some apply it on certain parts of the body like the upper arms, chest etc. Some ascetics rub it all over the body. Many consume a pinch of it each time they receive it. It also signifies the surrenderance of ego and egocentric desires into the flame of knowledge.

Bhasma is specially associated with Lord Shiva who applies it all over His body. Shiva devotes apply bhasma as a tripundra. When applied with a red spot at the center, the mark symbolizes Shiva-Shakti (the unity of energy and matter that creates the entire seen and unseen universe).

7. Why do we offer food to the Lord before eating it?

By first offering food to God, we acknowledge God in our lives as the provider and offer our gratification for bringing food to the table. The food gets purified for consumption and rids the consumer from any negative energy. It becomes prasad. The practice generally is to simply pray with folded hands and/or reciting of a Mantra.

8. Why do we fast (Upvaasa)?

Most devout Hindus fast regularly on certain self-elected routine or on special occasions and festivals. On such days, they do not eat at all, eat once, or make do with fruits or a special diet of simple food.

Fasting in Sanskrit is called upavaasa. Upa means "near" + vaasa means "to stay". Upavaasa therefore means staying near (the Lord), meaning the attainment of close mental proximity with divine. Provides opportunity for introversion into self as a self-imposed discipline. It diverts energy that is generally spent in procuring food items, preparing, cooking, eating and digesting food etc., toward inner contemplation and control. Certain food types make our minds dull and agitated. Hence on certain days, abstaining from eating helps quieten the mind to bring focus on other noble thoughts of Divinity. Since it is a self-imposed form of discipline, it is a joyous experience and provides satisfaction of mind over body. If fasting makes us weak, irritable or create an urge to indulge later, it does not serve its intended purpose.

9. Why do we do pradakshina (circumambulate)?

Pradakshina is a reinforcement to self that God/Divinity is the focus of our lives. Generally is done after worship, Homam or Yajna and to Dieties in temples and/or holy landmarks such as Gobardhan Parvat, Chitrakoot , Brindavan, etc. Also done around ourselves after completing a significant ritual and worship.

10. Why is pradakshina done only in a clockwise manner?

Right hand being the dominant hand, starting from right side keeps our focus to lead an auspicious life of righteousness

11. Why do we regard trees and plants as sacred?

Hindu belief is that life pervades all living beings, be they plants or animals. Hence, they are all regarded as sacred. Human life on earth depends on plants and trees. They give us the vital factors that make life possible on earth: food, oxygen, clothing, shelter, medicines etc.

Plants like Tulasi, Peepal, and Banyan tree are specifically worshipped for their sanctity. It is believed that divine beings manifest as trees and plants, and many people worship them to fulfill their desires and to please the Lord.

12. Why do we ring the bell in a temple?

Is it to wake up the Lord? But the Lord never sleeps. Is it to let the Lord know we have come? He does not need to be told, as He is all knowing. Is it a form of seeking permission to enter His precinct? It is a homecoming and therefore entry needs no permission. The Lord welcomes us at all times. Then why do we ring the bell?

The ringing of the bell produces an auspicious sound of aum, a universal name of the Lord. The sound creates the auspiciousness needed to prepare for worship and experience. While doing the ritualistic aarati at conclusion of worship, we ring the bell, accompanied by conch and other musical instruments. These instruments of auspicious sound help submerse any inauspicious or irrelevant energies and that may or distract the worshippers in their devotional experience.

The mantras for ringing the bell, are:

Aagamaarthamtu devaanaam
gamanaarthamtu rakshasaam
Kurve ghantaaravam tatra
devataahvaahna lakshanam

13. Why do we worship the Kalasha?

Kalasha is a brass, mud or copper pot filled with water. Mango leaves are placed in the mouth of the pot and a coconut is placed over it. A red or white thread is tied around its neck or sometimes all around it in an intricate diamond-shaped pattern. The pot may be decorated with designs. Such a pot is known as a Kalasha.

When the pot is filled with water or rice, it is known as purnakumbha. Kalasha represents an inert body, when pot is empty, coming to life, upon getting filled with water or rice and ornate with leaves and coconut. kalasha is used as article of worship among all due rituals such as traditional house warming (Grihapravesha), wedding, daily worship etc.

Kalassha is also used while receiving/welcoming a holy person.

Through chanting of Mantras, waters from all the holy rivers and oceans is invoked to reside in the pot. Gods and Demigods, and mother earth are invited to enter the Kalasha. Kalasha and its water is thereafter used for all the rituals, including the abhisheka of worshipped deity.

14. Why do we consider the lotus as special?

The lotus blooms with the rising sun and closes at night. It grows even in slushy muddy areas; retains its beauty despite its surroundings, reminding us that we too can and should strive to remain pure and beautiful within, under all circumstances.

The lotus leaf never gets wet even though it is always in water. It symbolizes a person of wisdom (gyaani) who remains ever joyous, unaffected by the world of sorrow and change.

Because of these special attributes, Lotus is considered special offering especially to Goddess Laxmi.

15. Why do we worship tulasi?

For Hindus, it is one of the most sacred plants.as it symbolizes devotion and tenacity. It renders purity. Only article of worship that can be reused upon washing with water. Tulsi is specifically dear to Lord Vishnu.

As one story from scriptures goes, Tulasi was the devoted wife of Shankhachuda, a celestial being. She believed that Lord Krishna tricked her into sinning. So, she cursed him to become a stone (shaaligraama). Seeing her devotion and adherence to righteousness, the Lord blessed her that she would become the worshipped plant, and that HE himself would adorn it on His head. The blessing also suggested that offerings would be incomplete without the tulasi leaf.

Tulasi also symbolizes Lord Vishnu’s consort, Goddess Lakshmi. Those householders who wish to be righteous and have a happy family life, worship tulasi. They also perform weddings of Tulsi with Vishnu with all pomp and show similar to social weddings.

Mantras for praying to Tulasi are:

Yanmule sarvatirhaani
Yannagre sarvadevataa
Yanmadhye sarvavedaascha
Tulasi taam namaamyaham

16. Why do we blow the conch?

When the conch is blown, the primordial sound of Om emanates. Om is an auspicious sound that was the first sound upon creation.

Another well-known purpose of blowing the conch and the instruments, known traditionally to produce auspicious sounds is to drown or mask negative comments or noises that may disturb or upset the atmosphere or the minds of worshippers.

Ancient India lived in her villages. Each village was presided over by a primary temple and several small ones. During the aarati performed after all-important poojas and on sacred occasions, the conch used to be blown. Since villages were generally small, the sound of the conch would be heard all over the village. People who could not make it to the temple were reminded to stop whatever they were doing, at least for a few seconds, and mentally bow to the Lord. The conch sound served to briefly elevate people's minds to a prayerful attitude even in the middle of their busy daily routine.

The name Shankha for conch comes from a story that a demon named Shankhaasura defeated the devas who went to the bottom of the ocean and appealed to Lord Vishnu for help. He incarnated as Matsya Avataara - the "fish incarnation" and killed Shankhaasura. The Lord blew the conch-shaped bone of his ear and head and the Om sound emanated, from which emerged the Vedas. Om is at the root of all knowledge manifested in the Vedas. The conch therefore is known as shankha after Shankaasura

The conch blown by the Lord is called Paanchajanya. He carries it at all times in one of His four hands. It represents dharma or righteousness that is one of the four goals (purushaarthas) of life. The sound of the conch symbolizes victory call of good over evil.

The conch is placed at the altar in temples and homes next to the Lord as a symbol of Naada Brahma (Truth), the Vedas, Om, dharma, victory and auspiciousness. It is often used to offer devotees thirtha (sanctified water) to raise their minds to the highest Truth. It is worshipped with the following verse.

Twam puraa saagarot pannaha
Vishnunaa vidhrutahakare
Devaischa poojitha sarvahi
Panchjanya namostu te

17. Why do we say shaanti thrice?

We chant shaanti thrice to emphasize our intense desire for peace from the three basic sources of pains---basic obstacles to peace These painful situations are:

Daivika: Pain from unseen divine forces over which we have little or no control like earthquakes, floods, volcanic eruptions etc.

Bhautika: Pains caused intentionally or unintentionally by life around, such as accidents, pollution, crime etc.

Daihik: Pains from lack of deeper wisdom of who we are therefore becoming victim of pain from loss of relationships, fear, greed, jealousy and Illnesses to bod

Prayer for peace by saying shanti thrice is prayer for peace from such (three) types of sources.

18. Why do we offer a coconut?

Among Hindus, most common offerings in a temple is a coconut. It is also offered on occasions like weddings, festivals, before the use of a new vehicle, construction of a bridge, house etc. It is offered in the sacrificial fire whilst performing homa. The coconut is broken and placed before the Lord. It is later distributed as prasaada.

For offering, the fiber covering of the dried coconut is removed (*except for a tuft on the top). The marks on the coconut make it look like the head of a human being. The coconut is broken, symbolizing the breaking of the ego. The juice within, representing the inner tendencies (vaasanas) is offered along with the white kernel - the mind, to the Lord. White kernel, symbolizing cleansed mind (purified by offering to the Lord) is used as prasad (a holy gift).

Coconut water is also offered in traditional abhisheka ritual performed at many temples and in many homes. Tender coconut water is believed to bestow spiritual growth on the seeker.

19. Why do we chant Om?

Om is the most chanted and briefest Vedic mantra for spiritual experience and worship. The sound from Om recitation has three parts-A, U and M and has profound effect on the reciter’s body and mind. Most Vedic mantras and prayers begin “Om”.

The letter A (phonetically as in "around") sound starts from the base of the throat, leading to opening of lips with "U" (phonetically as in "put") sound and finally M (phonetically as in "mum") leading to closure of lips.

The three sounds in AUM symbolize the three states of consciousness (waking, dream, and deep sleep), the trinity Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, and the three worlds (Bhuh, Bhuvah, Suvah) etc., hence is complete in itself for worship, meditation and divine experience.

20. Why do we do Aarati ?

Aarti is the main step in shodasha upachaara pooja ritual. The Deity is cleaned and dressed and ornate, with devotee’s worship and love. Becomes ready for the final offering of Aarti. to seek destruction of any remnant negative tendencies or shortcomings in the ritual. It is conducted by the worshipping devotee or the priest, with lighted lamp in the right hand, waved in a clockwise circling movement in front of the worshipped Altar, Deity or Honorable Guest. Upon completion, blessings are bestowed by reaching over the flames with both palms and then gently touching the eyes, heart and top of head

The process of Aarti is to present the Deity and/or Altar (Form) to the congregation present in the worship and or Temple as the lighted lamp is waved from left to right then right to left. Although scriptures specify specific number for waving of Aarti for each Form, generally conducted seven times; (three times toward the feet, twice toward the navel and twice toward the head). The lamp waving is accompanied with mental or loud chanting of prayers/mantras, with ringing of bells, playing of musical instruments, clapping. and blowing of Conch

Burning of oil or ghee wick in Aarti symbolizes burning of worshipper’s inherent negative tendencies (vaasanas) such as ego, greed and anger Camphor aarti leaves no residue, symbolizing total elimination of negative tendencies and focuses on ultimate mission to become pure.