Hinduism has a vast array of customs and rituals, and, often, has science and symbolism behind them. Symbolism represents ideas expressed in a suggestive yet attractive manner. Here we look at a few Hindu customs and what they signify.
Camphor for aarti
Burning camphor after the end of an aarti has been practised for a long time. The main reason is that it creates a nice atmosphere, as the strong aroma fills up the surrounding. The fume of the camphor is also known to kill harmful microbes and get rid of the staleness in the air. It is also a cooling agent at a miniscule level.
Temple bells
Bells in the temple are usually made of five metals or brass, and is primarily made for the worshipper and not as a custom to be followed. The bells are placed in temples so that when a person rings it, the vibration of the sound dispel the thoughts in mind. Since a person visits a temple to find solace and peace, away from troubling thoughts, these bells work as sound therapy. It takes the mind off the chain of thoughts and concentrate.
The aim of almost every Hindu tradition is to merge with reality. Be it fragrance or the sound of bell, it refrains you from outer chaos and helps you turn inside, without which realisation is impossible.
(Dr Bapat is a Mumbai-based professor with a PhD in ‘The Brahma and Kshatra in the Orient and Occident Thought’)
(As told to Pooja Patel)
This is continuation of ‘The reasons behind some divine rituals’.
Did you know?
The ever-famous gajra
Gajra, which is made of aromatic flowers like jasmine and plumeria, has always been used as a way of aromatherapy for women. The fresh flowers, with its fragrance, tends to leave a person fresh and it also works as a cooling agent.
[Source:- DNA]
