Hinduism Worship Flashcards
Puja
A ritualistic worship practice in Hinduism that involves offering prayers, food, flowers, and other items to a deity or deities. It can be performed at home, in temples, or at sacred sites. It is a way for devotees to express their devotion and seek blessings
Temples
Sacred spaces in Hinduism where deities are enshrined and worshipped. They serve as focal points for religious activities, rituals, and community gatherings. They are often elaborately decorated and architecturally significant
Icons (Murti)
Physical representations of Hindu deities, often in the form of statues or images. These icons are considered to be the embodiment of the divine presence and are the focal point of worship during Puja
Mantras
They are sacred sounds, words, or phrases that are chanted or recited during Hindu worship and meditation. Each one is believed to have a specific spiritual power or energy, and chanting them is a way to invoke the divine
Darshan
The act of seeing and being seen by a deity or a holy person. In Hindu worship, receiving this of a deity’s icon is considered a profound spiritual experience that bestows blessings on the devotee
Arati
A ritual in which light from wicks soaked in ghee or camphor is offered to a deity, accompanied by the chanting of hymns or mantras. It is usually performed at the end of a puja ceremony
Kirtan
A form of devotional singing or chanting that involves the repetition of mantras or the names of deities, often accompanied by musical instruments. It is a communal activity that fosters spiritual upliftment and devotion
Prasad
Food or other offerings that are first presented to a deity during worship and then distributed to devotees as a blessing. The food is considered sanctified and infused with the deity’s grace
Tilak
A mark, usually made of sandalwood paste, vermilion, or other substances, is applied to the forehead during Hindu rituals or worship. The style often indicates a person’s religious affiliation or devotion to a particular deity
Bindi
A decorative dot traditionally worn on the forehead by Hindu women. It is usually placed between the eyebrows, which is believed to be the location of the sixth chakra or the third eye, associated with wisdom and spiritual insight