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).
5
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1answer
133 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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0answers
25 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
51 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
62 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 ...
4
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0answers
32 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
80 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?
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0answers
28 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
92 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
100 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
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0answers
36 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
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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
55 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 ...
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4answers
264 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
30 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
59 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
101 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
60 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
188 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
176 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
172 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
205 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
336 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 ...
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0answers
176 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.
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0answers
38 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?
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0answers
68 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
125 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
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0answers
386 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. ...
4
votes
2answers
244 views
What is the mudra to be used when performing Achamanam?
What is the mudra to be used when performing Achamanam? How should our fingers be positioned when sipping the water?
0
votes
1answer
121 views
Nyasa etc for Lalita Sahasranama
Hari Om,
I'm looking for a source of explanation of the procedure of using the Nyasas of Lalita Sahasranama. See below.
Would be much appreciated. -Hari
अस्य श्रीललितासहस्रनामस्तोत्रमहामन्त्रस्य वशि...
8
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1answer
1k views
What are the benefits of doing sandhyavandanam?
What are the benefits, physical or mental, material or spiritual? Also, what are the consequences of not doing it?
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3answers
2k views
How do we clear our debts?
As stated in one of the answer here: There is a variation in the thread count of yajñopavītam. Bachelors wear a single thread, married men wear 2, and married men with children wear 3. Each thread ...
5
votes
1answer
94 views
If rituals are performed imperfectly, then do they have effect?
If rituals are performed imperfectly, maybe due to human error, or lack of detailed knowledge, do they still have effect?
If possible give quotes from scriptures.
2
votes
1answer
214 views
Why is it considered compulsory for brahmins to perform sandhyavandanam? [duplicate]
Although it has been mentioned that it is considered compulsory, the reason why is not mentioned?
Also, are there any shortcuts? Like performing sandhyavandanam only once a day or once a week?
Also, ...
4
votes
2answers
786 views
Marriage tradition of brushing the grooms legs, hands, shoulders and head
This year I had to opportunity to visit an Indian wedding being a friend of the groom. It was a very interesting experience and I would like to give a presentation in my home country about it. To do ...
2
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0answers
50 views
Why Lord Ayyappa Vratam or Mandalam is done only in few months?
Why Lord Ayyappa vratam or mandalam done only during Karthika masa or generally from September - January? I know even temple is generally opened during this period. Is there any reason or shastra ...
2
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0answers
52 views
What are the legends associated with Kānwar Yātrā (कांवड़ यात्रा) and which scriptures mention them?
Kānwar Yātrā (कांवड़ यात्रा): In the month of Shravan, Millions devotees (from North India) walk for hundreds of miles to collect holy water from the Ganga to offer in their local Shiva temples. This ...
5
votes
1answer
519 views
Can a person before upanayana perform anga nyasa and kara nyasa?
When I read kavachams, sahasranamamas and ashtothrams, there is mention of anga nyasa and kara nyasa.
I am yet to be initiated into gayathri.
Can I do anga and kara nyasa?
6
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1answer
130 views
What is 'dhuni', is it mere burning firewood?
I would like to know something about 'dhuni' and its association with the 'Nath' tradition. Any references from some authentic resources would be helpful.
3
votes
1answer
133 views
What scriptures say about sraddha (श्राद्ध) during pitru paksha for untimely deaths?
Is sraddha (श्राद्ध) during pitru paksha for untimely deaths such as suicides, accidents prescribed in scriptures? Some random sources say it's not allowed, and few say it should be done on Amavasya. ...
4
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0answers
86 views
Guidance about visiting temples after a 13th day of death of any family member
I am a Hindu and Maratha Kshatriya from Goa.
I just wanted to ask few questions which I believe to have different answers from different brahmans I consulted so far.
It's been a month, I lost my ...
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0answers
86 views
Karunya Pitru Tharpana
Amavasya and monthly tharpanas we perform only for pithrus. But
during Chaturmasya period, tharpana is being done on Madhya Ashtami or Maha Barani to the pithrus [forefathers] along with Karunya ...
7
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1answer
1k views
Which direction should one face while doing Sayam Sandhyavandanam?
Some people say it is not advisable to do achamana facing west, so one should face north while doing evening Sandhyavandanam up to Navagruha Tarpanam and after that one should do facing west till ...
4
votes
2answers
252 views
Are these rituals really done in Ashvamedha as per Brahmanas? Is the translation correct?
When the water for washing the feet is ready, they make the chief
queen (Mahishi) lie down next to the horse, and they cover the two of
them up with the upper cloth as they say the verse, ‘Let the ...
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0answers
57 views
What is the significance of hand imprint of the departed soul in ash of cow dung set in a plate in a locked room overnight, after Garud Puran?
We were told to perform this i.e., placing ash of cow dung in a plate in a locked room, for the probable hope that the hand imprint of our loved one would appear. What is the significance of this? ...
8
votes
1answer
622 views
How does one get initiated into Sri Vaishnavism?
How does a non-Sri Vaishnava get initiated into Sri Vaishnavism? What Sri Vaishnava Acharyas are there in the world today who initiate people?
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0answers
113 views
Does Pithru Tharpana in both Kasi & Rameswaram reduces evil effects of the doer?
Legend says that doing pithru tharpana in Kasi and from there directly going to Rameswaram and performing the pithru tharpana is good and it reduces evil effects of the doer. Any substantiative ...
3
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0answers
45 views
What is vaamadevya vrata?
What is vamadevya vrata and how is it generally performed?
Which texts deals with its procedures? And what are the fruits of performing it?
3
votes
1answer
46 views
How are ashtaka-shrAddha and preta-shraddha performed?
What are these shraddhas and how are they done?
Which texts give procedure for these rituals?
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0answers
187 views
Why the Mangalsutra thread should not be changed during the period of pregnancy?
In Hindu religion after marriage Mangalsutra thread is worn by the ladies. They will change the threads after some days/months.
However, during the period when the woman is pregnant, she is not ...
2
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0answers
52 views
Why in Aashadamaasa and Dhanurmaas no auspicious things happens?
Why in Aashadamaasa and Dhanurmaas no auspicious things happens? People follow some rituals during these time by not doing any auspicious functions. All business, marriages, home construction stops or ...
