BOOKS IN SANSKRIT ON PUJA & RITUAL

From choosing the right pooja room decoration theme to setting up the appropriate idols, the puja rituals are vast and varied across India. Be it the method of pooja thali decoration or the items used for worshipping the deities, every ritual and practice has a unique meaning and significance. These different methods and rituals reflect the cultural and traditional beliefs of different communities and religions across India.

"The source of all activity in an inert body is an animate free will....But why should one worship gods?....Can you spell out clearly what exactly is the mechanism between our puja and the fulfillment of our desires?....There is also confusion regarding the gods.....However, Rama and Krishna did not face any such situation.....Majority of the people indulge in idol worship; but some do not agree with it. Is idol worship right or wrong?....Suppose you bring home a person for whom you have great love and respect.....Such doubts may appear when we one worships God out of fear."

Discusses how Diwali fosters unity and togetherness among families and communities, reinforcing the idea that the festival is not just about celebrations, but also about nurturing relationships and spiritual growth. Diwali or Deepavali is one of the most celebrated festivals in India. It is a five-day festival that not only Hindus but people of every community love to celebrate with zeal and jubilation. Diwali is marked with candles, ghee lamps (diyas), and lanterns. Every house and temple is illuminated with lights and decorations of rangoli designs beautify the floors. Cleaning and decorations of homes begin days before the festival. It signifies the cleaning of the dust accumulated in our hearts in the form of lust, anger, pride, illusion, and attachments. The devotees thus invite Lord Ram into their hearts and pray for the welfare of their families. Elderly people read Ramcharitmanas or Srimad Ramayan everyday to remember the lotus feet of the Lord within their hearts.

Sweets and savory dishes on plates, bowls of colors, Gulal in the air, people singing Phaag (folk songs celebrating Phagun or the month of Holi), fervor, and joy all around- the arrival of Holi is a time when everyone welcomes energy, newness, and life with open arms. In the states of India, people have different ways of celebrating the festival with their loved ones. This ancient festival of colors seems to be one of the most important occasions for the people of India till modern times. In this blog, we will relish the vibrancy of Holi through the colors of Indian painting. With each brushstroke and eye-catching color filling the canvas with eternal colors, these paintings perfectly capture the essence of Holi for India and its people.

The festival of Onam is celebrated as a Hindu festival in association with the mythological story of lord Vishnu and Asura king Mahabali. According to the regional texts the king of ancient India, Mahabali defeated the gods to rule three worlds. Kerala flourished under the rule of Mahabali which made the gods quite insecure because of the popularity of Mahabali. Gods reached out to Lord Vishnu for help, and Vishnu turned into a short Brahman asking the ruler for three steps. Mahabali accepted the request even when his guru warned him about the god\'s plan, and soon the Vaman avatar of Vishnu turned almost as big as the three worlds. He covered the earth in one step, heaven in another and as there was no space left for his third step Mahabali offered his head to Vishnu portraying his true devotion. Vishnu granted Mahabali a boon in that he could visit his land once a year. That is why Onam is celebrated yearly to celebrate the homecoming of their generous and hearty king Mahabali.

The festival is celebrated with great zeal and fervor in different parts of India with people following different rituals and traditions as per their beliefs. Almost every temple is decorated with flowers, lighting, and other such items. Lord Rama idols are decorated with special embellishments and people offer flowers, sweets, and even money to them in large amounts. Spiritual discourses and bhajan nights are organized in large numbers in almost every street and neighborhood.