ARATHI

Arati is performed during almost all ceremonies and occasions. Arati Painful occurrence, injury, mischief, sickness. It is the most important ritual and is performed during almost all ceremonies and occasions. It involves the waving of an 'arati plate' around a person or idol and is generally accompanied by the singing of songs in praise of that deity or person. The purpose of performing arati is to ward off evil effects and the malefic influence of the 'evil eye' . Arati is hence performed on people of high social or economic status;

BINDI

A bindi is an auspicious emblem wornby young girls and women. Bindi is derived from bindu, the Sanskrit word for dot. It is usually a red dot made with vermilion powder which is worn by women between their eyebrows on their forehead. Considered a symbol of Parvati, a bindi signifies female energy and is believed to protect women and their husbands. Traditionally a symbol of marriage, it has also become decorative and is worn today by unmarried girls and women as well.

BRAHMA

Brahma the creator, though now rarelyworshipped, is hailed in myth and mantra. Brahma is the god first represented in the Hindu Triad . He is the creator of the universe and all living beings are said to have evolved from him. Brahma is depicted as red in colour with four heads, bearded faces, and four arms. His hands hold a kamandalu, his bow or a rosary, a sacrificial ladle, and the Vedas. Brahma is sometimes depicted as sitting on a lotus. The four Vedas are said to have originated from his head.

GANESHA

Ganesha is prayed to before all otherdeities for good luck and success.Ganesha, also called Ganapati, is the god of wisdom, prudence, and salvation. Ga means "knowledge", na means "salvation", and isa and pati mean "lord". Ganesha is also said to mean 'lord of the ganas', Shiva's multitude of attendants. In south India, Ganesha is worshipped as Pillaiyar.

GAYATRI MANTRA

Rig Veda Mandala III. 62. 10. Gayatri Mantra Gayatri is a metre of the Rig Veda consisting of 24 syllables. The Gayatri or the Savitri mantra composed in this triplet form is the most famous and sacred of all mantras. It is a prayer in honour of the Sun, also called Savitur. The Gayatri with the Mahavyahritis is uttered as- Om, bhur, bhuvah, svah tat Savitur varenyam bhargo devasya dhimahi dhiyo yo nah prachodayat This mantra is believed to have been.

MANGALSUTRA

The groom ties a mangalasutra aroundthe bride's neck to show that hereceives her from her father. Mangalasutra or thread of good will, is a necklace worn specifically by married women as a symbol of their marriage.

OM

All aspects of speech are believed tohave come forth from this word. Om This mystic symbol is also the most powerful Hindu mantra. It is composed of five elements: the syllables a, u, m, the dot or bindu and sound (nada), and is revered as the representative of the gods. All aspects of speech are believed to have come forth from this word. Om first appears in the Upanishads as a mystic monosyllable and is regarded as the seed or basis of all mantras.

PUGA

Puja is derived from 'pu-chey' orworship with the offering of flowers. Puja Honour, worship, reverence. Puja is believed to be derived from the Dravidian word 'pu-chey', (flower action) or worship with the offering of flowers. Some trace it to the Dravidian word 'pusu', to anoint or smear with sandalwood paste or vermilion. The term puja is now used to include all forms of ceremonial worship, ranging from the simple daily offerings of flowers, fruit, leaves, rice, sweetmeats and water to the deities in homes or temples, to the sacrifices of goats and chickens in temples dedicated to Kali, Durga and other female deities.

SHIVA

A brass image of Shiva at Kedarnath. Shiva Shiva literally means "auspiciousness, welfare". He is the third god of the Hindu Triad and is the destroyer of all evil. He represents darkness (tamas), and is said to be the 'angry god'. However, according to Hinduism, creation follows destruction. Therefore Shiva is also regarded as a reproductive power, who restores what has been dissolved. As one who restores, he is represented as the linga or phallus, a symbol of regeneration. He has a 1,008 names.

SHIVALINGA

Shivalinga: a potent symbol of cosmicenergy and creation. It is phallus shapedand fixed on a base, shaped like a yoni. Shivalinga Linga means "sign, mark, or symbol". It also refers to a digging implement or plough. Since the plough readies the earth for insemination, the word linga is also applied to the phallus, particularly as the phallic emblem of Shiva.

The Hindu Calendar

The Hindu Calendar The calendar plays an integral role in the lives of Hindus. Apart from measuring the traditional periods of time, it is also used to calculate the date of festivals, and auspicious times and days for performing ceremonies. Calendars are calculated on the basis of the sun, the moon, and a combination of both. I

VISHNU

A bas relief on the Dashavatara temple inDeogarh (Madhya Pradesh) shows Vishnuresting on the Ananta Naga. Vishnu Vishnu, (from the Sanskrit root 'vish', to pervade) is the second god of the Hindu triad and as the preserver of the universe represents mercy and goodness. He is said to be the cosmic ocean nara, meaning water, which was the only thing in existence before the creation of the universe. For this reason, he is also known as Narayana, or "one who moves on the waters".

YOGA

The purpose of yoga is the joining of mindand body in order to achieve perfect unity. Yoga Application or concentration of thoughts, abstract meditation, the act of joining or harnessing. Yoga is defined as that state of mind in which the individual soul (atman) unites with Brahman, the cosmic soul. The purpose of yoga is the joining of mind and body in order to achieve perfect unity, leading to moksha, the final concentration of the spirit and its 'escape' from the cosmos.