Inside a Hindu Temple

Inside a Hindu Temple

Inside a Hindu Temple there is an icon to Shiva and an icon to Vishnu. Shiva is represented with a stone lingam and Vishnu is portrayed lying upon a bed of snakes. These two icons are the center of the temple and are housed in inner shrines. About twenty other gods are also represented in icons ringing the temple. These icons were dressed in saris and jewelry. Placed in front of many of these icons were offerings of fruit and rice, as well as the red powder. The visitor is struck by the bright colors of the ornately decorated interior, the

smells of burning incense and the sound of ringing bells. When we arrived, a puja was being conducted for Vishnu by two temple priests. A puja is a Hindu act of devotion to a deity. Though they may vary considerably, a puja typically is directed towards an icon of the god being worshipped. The icon is bathed, typically with water and milk. The icon is then dressed in a sari and jewelry, and often shown his own image in a mirror. A food offering is made to the icon, accompanied by the ringing of bells. A small congregation was present. The priests rang bells and bathed Vishnu. First they poured water over the icon. Next they bathed him with milk, one of the "five nectars." Finally they bathed him with water again. All the while they recited mantras, inviting Vishnu to come down and join them. After bathing Vishnu, the priests closed the curtain to the inner shrine. The puja was to conclude later in the evening, a very lengthy ceremony in contrast to Western Christian services.

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