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).
372
questions
2
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0answers
22 views
Which material should be used for incense?
Hindus generally uses different types of sticks for incense.
Is there any scriptural recommendation of materials to be used for incense?
1
vote
1answer
73 views
What are the consequences of not doing shraddha for the departed ancestors?
I have heard people say that they can be bad. Are there ways to compensate for missed Shraddhas?
0
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1answer
46 views
Why are kumbhabhishekams of temples performed?
Basically it is pouring consecrated waters over a temple to energize a new temple or re-energize an existing shrine.
(1) which scripture lays out the procedures for kumbhabhishekam?
(2) these days, ...
2
votes
1answer
61 views
If durva is not available then what can be offered to Ganesh ji as a substitute?
Its difficult to get durva by me so what else can be offered to Ganesh ji, instead of durva.
0
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0answers
39 views
Need to know precise steps for tattwa shuddhi sadhana?
As the title says I need to understand in brief precisely all the mandatory steps a sadhak needs to follow for tattwa shuddhi sadhana.
Please cite authentic references.
1
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0answers
58 views
What is the significance of Suutak? [duplicate]
When a family member dies, generally every member of that family observes a 13-day mourning period called Suutak.
What is the significance of observing this period? meaning.. a person is not allowed ...
5
votes
4answers
97 views
How to prepare oneself for the grace of Guru?
It is said that once the student is ready the Guru will appear before him, but my question is what are the steps a person (wanting to be a student seeking a true guru) should follow in order to ...
3
votes
1answer
81 views
What does the priest say when offering prasad?
I understand that the prasad is offered 6 times and the priest says something each time. It sounds like:
Om Apanaaya Swahaa,
Om Udanaaya Swahaa,
...,
...,
...,
Om Bramhane Swahaa.
Can someone give ...
4
votes
2answers
118 views
Why do Hindus mourns for 13 days?
The normal practice of hinduism is that the family of dead ones mourn for 13 days when someone dies. Is there any reason behind it? How did our ancestors decided 13 days time period to mourn? Why not ...
4
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0answers
99 views
Can someone explain me the meaning and process of passing hands upon fire then on the face?
I'm very new to hinduism, and I have seen this happening several times, but I cannot find any info about it.
Thanks a lot.
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0answers
128 views
1
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1answer
35 views
Visarjana Mantra or Stotram for Shivapuja
I would very much appreciate the Sanskritam (Devanagari), transliterated, and English for a visarjana mantra or stotram for Shivapuja.
3
votes
0answers
43 views
Are there other instances of agni-pariksha in vedic scriptures?
We all know the famous agni-pariksha of Srimati Sita Devi from Sri Valmiki Ramayana, so I was wondering are there any other instances of Agni-pariksha described in vedas, puranas or itihasas?
3
votes
1answer
76 views
Multiple Marriages in a family in the same year
If two brothers of same family get married in two dates and two places in the same samvatsara (an year in Hindu calendar), will this be auspicious or unauspicious ? If it's unauspicious, what is the ...
2
votes
0answers
63 views
How does tantra work?
I am trying to understand how mantra - yantra - tantra works ? After googling for few days I got a fair understanding that it is the use of sound and mantras have some words combined in such a way ...
3
votes
1answer
391 views
Rules to be followed for wearing the Sacred thread / Janeu
What are the rules that one must observe to wear the Yagnopaveetham ? Would prefer if appropriate text is also quoted.
3
votes
1answer
92 views
Why the head of a dead person 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 ...
4
votes
2answers
180 views
Are there any flowers that are not supposed to be offered to Lord Vishnu?
There are certain flowers that should not be offered to a specific deity. For example, Tulasi is not offered to Ganesha and Ketaki or Champa is not offered to Lord Shiva. Are there any flowers, ...
1
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1answer
261 views
Is the Bramhamuhurta timing different for mumbai and delhi?
Bramhamuhurta time is same pan India?
What shall one do in Bramhamuhurta?
2
votes
2answers
146 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 ...
3
votes
0answers
74 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
101 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
votes
1answer
56 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 ...
2
votes
2answers
254 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
83 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
votes
0answers
113 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
62 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
32 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
votes
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
votes
0answers
86 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
126 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
255 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?
0
votes
1answer
175 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
125 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
33 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
1answer
105 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
45 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
96 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
votes
0answers
179 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
657 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?
1
vote
0answers
73 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
152 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
119 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 ...
5
votes
1answer
65 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 ...
3
votes
1answer
576 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
43 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
411 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
166 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
2k 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 ...
