Questions tagged [rituals]
For questions about customs and traditions in Hinduism (called "Karma kand", as opposed to "Gyana kand", which refers to the philosophical aspects of Hinduism).
356
questions
2
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0answers
33 views
Why the head of dead is hit when the body was consigned to the flames?
As a ritual, during Antyeṣṭi, the dead person's head is hit with a bamboo stick in between the burning of the whole body. As far as my understanding goes, this is done so that the person won't ...
1
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1answer
34 views
Is the Bramhamuhurta timing different for mumbai and delhi?
Bramhamuhurta time is same pan India?
What shall one do in Bramhamuhurta?
2
votes
1answer
90 views
Can I do Pitru Paksha rituals while my parents are still alive?
I would like to do Pitru Paksha rituals, such as offering black til seeds and water to my ancestors, like my grandfather and great grandfather and maternal grandmother. My paternal grandmother and my ...
4
votes
0answers
59 views
Why does lord shiva like abhishekam?
At many places I have heard that lord shiva likes abhishekam so much and also he blesses the devotees with their desires. Why does shiva like abhishekam so much?
1
vote
1answer
59 views
Can someone do Upanayan ritual later in life say post 25 years of age?
Heard some priests saying 8 to 16 years for Brahmins, till 22 for Kshatriya and 24 for vaishya, is the limit for upananya.
But what if someone does after that or priest says no he won't do it as the ...
0
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1answer
34 views
Does the story about Ṛbhus indicate practice of religious rituals other than Spirituality in Vedic era?
Rig veda I.110 says about Ṛbhus
When, seeking your enjoyment onward from afar, ye, certain of my kinsmen, wandered on your way, Sons of Sudhanvan, after your long journeying, ye came unto the home of ...
3
votes
0answers
125 views
Vow fulfillment in advance
A person went to a temple and made a wish to God and in return he made a vow that if his wish gets granted he will do something (can't disclose).
Can he fulfill his vow before his wish gets granted? ...
2
votes
2answers
95 views
What is the reason behind men/women tying a waist band?
I have seen many men wearing a waist band or thread around their waist, red or black color. It's called Karbuta in Marathi. Is there any significance behind wearing it?
2
votes
1answer
70 views
Are the rituals, puja methods, dieties artis mentioned anywhere in Hindu scriptures? [closed]
Do these things exist anywhere in Hindu scriptures (Vedas, upnishads, Geeta etc.)?
Or are they later created by Brahmins?
0
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0answers
85 views
How did Hindu scholars determine that North America is Kraunchadvipa?
According to the Hindu scriptures, there are 7 continents or dvipas named:
Jambu ("Indian Blackberry tree")
Plaksha ("Ficus religiosa (Peepal) tree")
Shalmali ("Bombax tree")
Kusha ("grass")
Kraunca (...
2
votes
0answers
58 views
Is it okay to dispose a dog's dead body in the river?
My dog passed away last night and as far as the rituals in my family are concerned, we have to dispose the dead body into the river. But most of my relatives and friends are now saying we should have ...
3
votes
0answers
29 views
What is the significance of Deep Amavasya?
Today is Deep Amavasya and many people in Maharashtra worship and light up diyas or earthen lamps in their homes at night. I want to know what is the significance of this festival and what are the ...
2
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0answers
27 views
Is there any description regarding the Kanwar Yatra in our holy books? [duplicate]
Today I was checking Twitter and there was a trending hashtag regarding Kanwar which telling that Kanwar yatra is not mentioned anywhere in Hindu holy books.
So is there anything in our holy books?
2
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0answers
40 views
Tharpanam on the Grahanam day
When should we have to do tarpanam on the grahanam or the eclipse day. Do we have to do before the start of Grahanam or after Moksha ?
5
votes
2answers
107 views
What is the significance of Ashadi Ekadashi?
What is the significance of Ashadi Ekadashi (Shukla paksha)? What are we supposed to do on this day?
3
votes
1answer
107 views
Is Sandhyavandanam different for each vedic line/shakha brahmin?
Is sandhyavandanam ritual different for each vedic line? Or is it same for all brahmins no matter what veda they belong to?
1
vote
1answer
142 views
Every Brahmin does aachman (purification) in the name of Vishnu. Then on whose name shukracharya will do so (aachman)?
Is shukracharya does aachman in the name of Vishnu or any other way? Because every Brahmin does aachman in the name of Vishnu. So what about shukracharya who hates Vishnu.
5
votes
1answer
110 views
Death formalities done under wrong Gotra
I want to know what happens if all the death related formalities ie, Puja, Antim Sanskar, Pind daan, Asthi Visarjan, etc are done unknowingly using wrong gotra. Are there any remedies mentioned in any ...
3
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0answers
28 views
What is ShiroVrata (a vow of holding fire on head)?
Ending of Mundaka Upanishad talks about śirovrata (शिरोव्रत):
तदेतदृचाऽभ्युक्तम् ।
क्रियावन्तः श्रोत्रिया ब्रह्मनिष्ठाः
स्वयं जुह्वत एकर्षिं श्रद्धयन्तः ।
तेषामेवैतां ब्रह्मविद्यां वदेत
शिरो...
4
votes
0answers
67 views
Where in the Vedas do we find : 'aharahah sandhyAm upAsita'?
In Ahnik-Krutya, Shyamacharana Kaviratna Vidyavaridhi mentions that 'aharahah sandhyAm upAsita' (Sandhya should be worshipped everyday) is a Vedic instruction. But he did not mention where exactly in ...
2
votes
0answers
33 views
Permanent sutak on festivals
In my ancestory, no one celebrates Diwali. The reason for this is given that a long time ago a female member died on the day of Diwali. In the Garud Purana, there is description about period of Sutak ...
2
votes
1answer
73 views
What would be the Sankalpa Mantras if Tarpana should be performed in Bangkok?
I am a tamil brahmin from chennai going to live in Bangkok for 3 months. I must do the Amavasya tharpanams. What is the Sankalpam to be followed.that is I am looking for substituion to Baharatha ...
3
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0answers
136 views
Should we remove gemstone while sleeping? Any other situation where we should remove it?
When should we remove gemstones? Should we remove them at night while sleeping? Should we remove them while having sex and bath?
I know that during funerals we should remove them, but apart from that ...
5
votes
1answer
287 views
How is the Antim Sanskar of unmarried hindu Women done?
What is the procedure of Antim Sanskar when a married women dies? Does she dress like a bride? Who gives the agni to her pyre?
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vote
0answers
36 views
Difference between Archna and pooja
There are two "distinct" words used for worship, in Sanskrit, namely अर्चना and पूजा.
What is the basic difference between the two and their implementation, by a साधक (devotee) ?
Also, please tell ...
2
votes
1answer
63 views
Why do we perform this ritual at someone's death bed?
When a person is about to die and leave his mortal body it is said that we must put gangajal i.e. water of holy river Ganga and tulsipatra i.e. leaves of sacred Tulsi plant in the person's mouth. What ...
4
votes
1answer
73 views
Is washing clothes in Ganga not allowed?
I was reading a newspaper article about river Ganga and it said that in ancient scriptures it was mentioned that Ganga must not be polluted and clothes must be washed at a distance from her. No one ...
6
votes
1answer
59 views
Days of week by names of planets?
Is there any significance of Hindu days of week named by planets?
And that each day, people are suggested to do certain activities to please the planet god, such as Shani?
Also, do the Hindu days ...
4
votes
1answer
289 views
Who should do Antim Sanskar (funeral rites) of married woman?
Who should do the rituals of antim sanskar of a married woman - her son or her husband? And who should give the mukhagni?
2
votes
0answers
41 views
Why the rituals pertaining to birth, upanayan, marriage and death are different among the Hindus?
Why the rituals pertaining to birth, upanayan, marriage and death are different among the Hindus? Is there a different sanction when it comes to rituals? Even among the Brahmins there is NO uniform ...
3
votes
2answers
211 views
What is Bhuta Yajna?
What is the definition of Bhuta Yajna?
Who should do it and how?
What is to sacrifice in this yajna?
Is it part of the daily rituals?
4
votes
2answers
120 views
What daily practices (achara - anushtana) should a brahmana follow?
Brahamanas (at least orthodox followers) are expected to follow a ton of daily achara & anushtana, for e.g.
Anushtana:
Get up during brahma muhurta
Do Pratah-Sandhya before sun-rise
Do Ijyai (...
2
votes
0answers
37 views
What is the reason behind tonsuring?
I've heard varying reasons behind tonsuring, some that it is a way of shedding one's ego, others that the hair is a sacrifice. Which reasoning is correct?
3
votes
1answer
1k views
Can a groom touch the feet of the bride during marriage?
In some hindu marriages I see couples durning the feet touching practice, once the bride bends down, touches the groom's feet and gets back up, the groom then bends down and touches the feet of the ...
1
vote
1answer
61 views
Is changing or altering rituals allowed in Hinduism?
I hear some people say as time changes rituals need to change in order to make them compatible with the modern world.
Is it possible to change or alter rituals that are found in scriptures followed ...
7
votes
4answers
352 views
Which chapters of Bhagavad Gita should be read for Shanti of the departed ancestors?
What are the specific chapters of Bhagavad Gita that should be read for the Shanti of the departed ancestors/ family members ?
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0answers
39 views
What is Straishuya karma and how to perform it?
This answer says that Pumsavana Karma is a ritual conducted for getting a male child. Somewhere I heard that similar to this ritual, there is also a ritual called Straishuya Karma which can be ...
4
votes
2answers
65 views
What is the order of cremation rights?
I know that the eldest son takes precedence. What happens in case of someone who dies without sons? Can daughters cremate their dead father?
4
votes
1answer
206 views
What is the purpose of Maa Baglamukhi Yantra?
Recently heard about 'Maa Baglamukhi Yantra' so was curious to know more about this yantra.
My questions:
What exactly is the purpose of this yantra?
Who was the first person who used or we can say ...
2
votes
0answers
79 views
What is the agama/tantra being followed at the Sri Krishna temple at Guruvayur in Kerala?
When were the rituals in Sri Krishna temple at Guruvayur, Kerala standardized to current form? Who was responsible for that? Which agamas/tantras are followed in the temple while performing rituals to ...
4
votes
1answer
297 views
Difference between Naishtika Brahmacharya and Sanyasa
What is the difference between Naishtika Brahmacharya and Sanyasa. Specifically in the context of 'Agni'. Since Sanyasa involves 'agni-tyaga'. Does Naishtika Brahmacharya also involve 'Agni-tyaga'?
4
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0answers
435 views
Chowdeshwari Devi's mantra shakti used by the king for daily rituals?
From the wiki article:
Hundreds of years ago, it is said, that there was a kingdom called Nandavara on the banks of the river Tunga in Karnataka near Raichur district, or another namesake village ...
4
votes
2answers
187 views
Which scripture talks about killing baby cows in sacrifices?
Manusmriti verses 5.41-42 say this:
madhuparke ca yajñe ca pitṛdaivatakarmaṇi | atraiva paśavo hiṃsyā
nānyatraityabravīn manuḥ || 41 || eṣvartheṣu paśūn hiṃsan
vedatattvārthavid dvijaḥ | ...
3
votes
2answers
348 views
What are various types of Snanam (bathing)?
Which scripture describes Muni Snanam, Deva Snanam, Manava Snanam and Rakshasa Snanam (bathing)?
Additionally, which scripture mentions about Vaaruna Snanam, Mantra Snanam, Dhivya Snanam, Kriya ...
3
votes
1answer
520 views
Performing Pooja, japa etc during wife's monthly period
My question is should the men in the household perform sandhyavandanam,, Pooja and japa when the woman in the family is during her monthly menstrual cycle. We do not have provision to spare the only ...
1
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0answers
215 views
Is it sin to sleep with a prostitute before marriage being a shudra? [duplicate]
Being a shudra, I'm eager to know whether sleeping with a prostitute is considered as a sinful act in hinduism.
1
vote
0answers
46 views
What is the proper procedure to light the puja lamp in the altar?
What is the proper procedure to light the puja lamp (Kamakshi vilakku) in the puja altar?
1
vote
0answers
99 views
What are the rules associated with the ritual of kshoura/kshavaram (shaving of hair)? And do these differ between sampradayas? [duplicate]
Almost all samparadayas and communities have some set of rules associated with the kshoura karma. There are rules related not just to the days on which such activities can be performed but also ...
5
votes
2answers
139 views
Why water is considered as an indispensable commodity in a charity ritual?
According to the scriptures a ritual involving charity (DAnam) will not be successful without the use of water. For example, while going through a Tantra related book that I have I found the following ...
2
votes
0answers
721 views
Can I pour water on the shivling for abhishek as many times as I want?
I go to a temple where there is a shivling set on some soil at the base of a tree. So all the water poured goes in the root, and I feel good about giving the tree so much Shiva Nirmalaya to drink. ...
