When do hindus worship

We do not talk to the telephone; rather we use it as a means of communication with another person. Without the telephone, we could not converse across long distances; and without the sanctified icon in the temple we cannot easily commune with the Deity.

Divinity can also be invoked and felt in a sacred fire, or in a tree, or in the enlightened person of a satguru. In our temples, God is invoked in the sanctum by highly trained priests. Through the practice of yoga, or meditation, we invoke God inside ourself. Yoga means to yoke oneself to God within. The image or icon of worship is a focus for our prayers and devotions. Another way to explain icon worship is to acknowledge that Hindus believe God is everywhere, in all things, whether stone or people.

So, it is not surprising that they feel comfortable worshipping the divine in His material manifestation. The Hindu can see God in stone and water, air and ether, and inside his own soul. Murtis are then revealed from behind a screen in an act called "darshan.

World View. How Do Hindus Worship? More From Reference. What Is the National Animal of Spain? After the image of the deity is dressed in new clothes, the priest offers worshipers flowers while chanting the names of Hindu gods. The priest then waves a lamp before the image of the deity while bells ring.

This symbolizes the deity sending his power through the image. The worshipers then pray in a prostrate position toward the shrine. The priest then holds the lamp in front of each worshiper, who then traditionally wave their hands across its flame three times.

The devotee then softly touches their eyes in a gesture meant to draw blessings into themselves. The priest then places a handful of ash in the right hand of each worshiper, who then transfers it to his left hand and uses the right hand to spread it across his forehead.

A priest then pours each worshiper a small amount of blessed water that is meant to be sipped. Each devotee is then offered sandalwood paste and red powder, which are then applied in a small dot on the forehead with the ring finger.

Sometimes, food may be offered to worshipers at the end of the puja ceremony. When the puja service is finished, Hindus often partake in a variety of related activities while at the temple.