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Worship is the act of praising and seeking the blessings of God. It is widely referred to as Pooja in Hinduism.

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45
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Why is Shiva primarily worshipped in a linga form?

In Hindu temples, the statues of the deities are present in the sanctum. But in (most) Shiva temples, only a linga is present instead of a Shiva statue. The linga worship seems to be limited only to ...
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7answers
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Is the ultimate purpose of life only to serve God?

I wonder at this question, because as with most major religions, it seems all you are mostly meant to do is to serve/devote yourself to God. It also seems that even in Hinduism this is the only way to ...
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3answers
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What is Dharma according to the Bhagavad Gita?

What is Dharma according to the Bhagavad Gita? Are hymns and worship of God compulsory in the Bhagavad Gita ?
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7answers
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What is the significance of Murthi pooja (idol worship)?

Hindus believe in Murthi pooja or idol worship. What is the reason behind this? Since my childhood, I believed that God does exist in an idol but I don't have the exact clarification or history ...
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5answers
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What is the basis for worshipping Sai Baba? Are there are references to him in the Vedas or other Vedic literature?

Recently, Dwarka Shankaracharya, Swami Swaroopanand Saraswati stirred controversy by claiming that since Shirdi Sai was a human and that there are no mention of him any Hindu scripture, he shouldn't ...
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3answers
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Do methods of worship change according to yugas?

Are there different methods of worshiping God in different yugas? For example, in the Sathya Yuga, the major method of worship is meditation or yagas. In Kaliyuga - chanting of God's name. I have ...
18
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1answer
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What made Indra the king of Svargalok?

Svargalok is considered as a place where good people reside. From the wiki - Svarga is seen as a transitory place for righteous souls who have performed good deeds in their lives. However, many ...
11
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1answer
448 views

Why one should worship God?

I am looking for exact purpose/reason on why one should worship God? Is it because we are in god's depth as he offered us a life or is it just because god is supreme, creator of world around us? Is ...
22
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4answers
7k views

What is the significance of Bel leaves in Shiva worship?

Aegle Marmelos or Bel Leaves are used in the rituals related to Lord Shiva. What is the significance of these leaves in Hinduism?
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5answers
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Is the Gayatri mantra used to worship the sun or Goddess Gayatri?

I've heard that the Gayatri mantra is actually used to worship the sun, and that the mantra was titled "Gayatri mantra" because the mantra is formed using Gayatri meter (a Vedic meter). Is that true?
19
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1answer
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Why is Kartikeya not worshiped much compared to lord Shiva, lord Ganesha and goddess Parvati?

Kartikeya is elder son of lord Shiva and goddess Parvati, but he is not worshiped much compared to his dad, mother and brother. If you visit temples in our country, rarely any temple will have an ...
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1answer
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What is the reason behind lokas in Hinduism?

In the Puranas, and already in the Atharvaveda, there are fourteen worlds, seven higher ones (vyahrtis) and seven lower ones (patalas), viz. bhu, bhuvas, svar, mahas, janas, tapas, and satya above and ...
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If God is both omniscient and omnibenevolent, then, why do we need to pray?

The question I asked earlier on the Riddle of Epicurus was really a question on God's omnipotence and omnibenevolence, but here, I want to ask about God's omniscience and omnibenevolence. If God is ...
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3answers
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Madhurya bhava towards goddesses such as Radha, Parvati, etc.,

I've seen that many people do devotion in madhurya bhava (the emotion of lover-beloved) to male Gods e.g., Krishna, Shiva, Rama etc. In a similar way, can a devotee have madhurya bhava towards ...
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4answers
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Why can Tulsi leaves only be picked on certain days?

I've heard that it is not allowed to pick the leaves of a Tulsi plant on certain days such as Dwadasi among others. This is why Acharyas advise against using store-bought Tulsi in offerings. Which ...
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2answers
759 views

What's the significance of worshiping Shiva in the month of Shravan?

We all know about worshipping Shiva in the month of Shravana (श्रावण), especially on every Monday of that month i.e Shravana Somavara. What's the significance of worshipping Shiva in Shravana? In ...
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Does chanting Holy Names while doing worldly duties generate any punya karma?

Does chanting of holy names while doing worldly duties (like travelling, working at home, etc.) generate any good (punya) karma? In this case sometimes one may or may not pay attention to what is ...
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1answer
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Why is Lord Shiva's daughter Ashokasundari not worshipped?

The sons of Lord Shiva, Ganesha and Muruga (Kartikeya) are very famous and worshipped by many, but not his only daughter, Ashokasundari. What is the reason behind it?
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What is the significance of Sashtang Namaskar?

In Hinduism, we do Namaskar to the God statues in the temples as a symbol of belief, respect, and worship. In addition, we also do Sashtang Namaskar. What exactly is Sashtang Namaskar, and why must ...
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1answer
858 views

Were there any temples in Satya yuga?

Is there any reference of temple of lord in the time of Satya Yuga? Around that time people used to worship which God/Goddess?
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4answers
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Worship of one god and worship of Shri Ram

In Bhagvad Gita , Lord Vishnu says, Worship me alone :- http://www.bhagavad-gita.org/Gita/verse-09-23.html Even those who, being devoted to other gods and endowed with faith, worship (them), ...
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What are the different branches of Shaktism?

There are many different sects in Hinduism,like Vaishnavism,Shaivaism and Shaktism.Some sects,like Vaishnavism and Shaivaism,have different branches like Gaudiya Vaishnavism,which glorifies Krishna ...
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4answers
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Do the Vedas prohibit idol worship?

It is a very controversial thing about this verses along the religious websites, especially non-Hindu websites, they are claiming that idol worship is prohibited in Hinduism. They are arguing with ...
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5answers
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How is animal or human sacrifice justified?

Killing of animals or humans as a sacrifice is generally banished in Hinduism although some clans are still allowed to do so. How is this Hindu practice of sacrificing animal or human life to make ...
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3answers
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What do Hindu scriptures or Gurus say on How to Introduce Hinduism to Children?

I am aware that this question is more a parenting question. The reason I ask the question is, to me and many young children around me, it was just told that idol worship in a temple is holy and wish-...
8
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1answer
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Why Hindus worship Peepal Trees? (Ficus religiosa)

I've often seen people, women especially, worship Peepal Trees (Ficus religiosa) Why they do so? Is there any reason from Hindu scriptures behind doing that? As far as I know, people say that our ...
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3answers
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Does prayer remove bad deeds of past lives?

If this birth is based on the deeds of our previous life, then our destiny is pre-determined. So, there is no need for god unless prayer offered to him will erase the bad deeds.
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What is the meaning of worshiping a demigod? And is it bad to worship a demigod? [BG 4.12] [duplicate]

In Bhagavad Gita Chapter 4, Verse 12 it is stated that: Men in this world desire success in fruitive activities, and therefore they worship the demigods. Quickly, of course, men get results from ...
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1answer
552 views

Nag Panchami and its importance?

There are a few questions in my mind regarding Nag Panchami: What is the history and importance of Nag Panchami? Why do we worship Nagas or Snakes in Nag Panchami though we're afraid of them? Why do ...
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2answers
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Why do we need to do Three time praying(trikal sandhya)

As per Hindu culture, we believe in God and worship to them. We should need to remember on time(Like during Morning when we wake up, Then when we eating and last when we sleep) in a day. So what is ...
5
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1answer
924 views

For what reasons do prayers go unanswered?

If a devotee comes forward with a claim that his prayers were unanswered, I keep hearing one of the following reasons from the other devotees: You are not praying hard enough. You are not destined to ...
5
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1answer
115 views

If Brahman is unattached, why does It remain attached to a devotee?

This answer to the Riddle of Epicurus says: These activities do not in any way bind Me, because I remain detached like one unconcerned in their midst. Gita 9.9 There is, however, one ...
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1answer
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What is offered during Arati and what they represent?

From this link we get the below explanation about arati. it is not very clear what is what, where can we get a more detailed description on what is what in the aratik? these are the elements I can ...
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3answers
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Why do Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva always meditate on each other?

I watched a TV serial named "Devo ke Dev Mahadev" on channel "Life Ok". In that, they mentioned several stories of Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu always meditating upon each other and connected to each ...
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3answers
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Why do Hindus have no restrictions on going to churches or any other religious places?

Hinduism is known for its wide acceptance of other cultures. Most religions, like Christianity, Islam, etc. have very strict rules regarding this. They are not allowed to worship or visit any other ...
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4answers
537 views

Which is oldest known sacred place of Hindus?

Which is oldest known sacred place of Hindus? I have found several temples & sacred places of the Hindu religion to be told as many thousand years old. Which of them is oldest known such temple ...
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8answers
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Why do Hindus remove their footwear before entering temples?

Why is it that people don't wear shoes and sandals when they visit a temple? Sometimes they remove them outside of temple premises and sometimes outside of the temple steps... It's a common practice ...
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2answers
5k views

What is the significance of nãrikel (coconut) in pooja?

In almost all Poojas (worship) nãrikel (coconut) is used. Image source: picdif.com What is the significance of using nãrikel in pooja?
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Any mantras that are not of Sanskrit origin?

Are there any spells (mantras) in Hinduism which are not in Sanskrit, but in other languages. I came across a mantra in Awadhi dialect of Hindi, it's something about blessings for studying and was ...
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1answer
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Did Lord Vishnu pray to Lord Ganesha? If yes, in which scripture is it written?

Certain websites claim that Lord Vishnu prayed to Lord Ganesha. Now if this story is true, in which scripture is this story written? The following is the story as presented by these websites: One ...
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0answers
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How do Vaishnavas interpret this verse from Padma Purana which seems to supports system of worship of five deities?

I found the following verse in Padma Purana, Uttara-Khanda in Karttika Mahatmya wherein Lord Krishna speaks to Satyabhama: saivah sauras ca ganesa vaishnavah sakti-pujakah | mam eva ...
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3answers
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Why do we worship Lord Hanuman on these weekdays?

We generally associate a day for the worship of different gods, like Monday for Lord Shiva, Tuesday for Lord Hanuman. What is the reason that we worship Lord Hanuman on Tuesdays and Saturdays? What is ...
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2answers
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Did Shankaracharya establish the “shanmatha” and the “panchayatana puja” systems?

There is a general opinion that Sripad Adi Sankaracharya established the shanmatha system and also insituted the worship form of panchayatana. Yet there seems to be lot of disagreements even among the ...
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0answers
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Which gods are Vaishnavas allowed to pray to or worship?

Vaishnavas believe that Lord Vishnu is supreme hence they are discouraged from worshipping other gods like Lord Shiva, Ganesha, etc. But what about the associates of Vishnu like Sudarshana chakra, ...
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3answers
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Why is Ganga considered sacred? Why do so many devotees worship this river?

What is river Ganga considered sacred? Why do so many devotees worship her? Note: This is not a dup. of Historically, when (and why) did Ganga become a holy river? Is it after Sarasvati dried up? as ...
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1answer
595 views

Which Vedic verses declare Lord Brahma as supreme?

Lord Brahmaa is a very important figure in Vedic tradition. He is referred to as PrajApatI and hiranyagarbha in the Vedas. As per Puranic tradition he is the part of trimurti's or trinity. However, ...
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1answer
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What is significance of Agni karyam?

What is Agni karyam(worshiping fire)? Are there any classifications among? Whats the eligibility to do Agni karyam? How one gets benefited by such act? What is Nityagnihotra? Are there any ...
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2answers
280 views

Is there a time, place or method for chanting the holy name?

Is it necessary that I should chant the holy name for example shrirama at a holy place and with specific methodology (sit on asana, etc) only? Will it not show its effects if I chant it while walking ...
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4answers
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Should we pray to Kubera a Yaksha?

What exactly are yakshas? Is it good or bad to worship them? Will they get angry if you stop praying to them? My point is that should we worship Kubera even if he is a yaksha or is he evil being ...
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3answers
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Why are non-Hindus not allowed inside temples?

Many Hindu temples have a board which says 'only Hindus allowed beyond this point.' What is the reason for this? Was there a historical event which led to this kind of rule in Hindu temples? ...

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