Rituals and worship
Inside the temple
Within the temple there is a havan, which is a fire sacrifice to the god AgniThe Hindu god of fire is also the ancient word for fire., with the fire representing the tongues of the gods. The word âhavanâ means sacred fire. It can also mean a special ritual that people do together to honour a chosen deity. The offerings made to Agni as part of havan include items that symbolise the five elements of existence (earth, water, fire, air and space).
Within the temple it is important to worshipTo show devotion to God and/or religion through actions - for example, prayer. the gods and there are many aspects of the mandirThe word many Hindus use for a place of worship - a shrine or special place in the home or a building used by the community for worship and other events. that are actively used within worship, for example the bell and murtiA statue of a god or goddess which has been made holy through a special ceremony; a term for any statue of a god or goddess.. However, Hindus believe that worship comes from within, as BrahmanIn Hindu belief, the absolute reality that is the true essence of all existence, God. is within all living things. Hindus believe in the space of the heart, which is the idea that Brahman is within people and therefore can be worshipped wherever they are.
Brahmins
Within the temple live the BrahminA Hindu social group with the duty of teaching others, sharing wisdom and performing sacred rituals, which includes educators and priests., or priests. Each Hindu temple has a presiding Brahmin, who normally lives within the temple grounds. It is his responsibility to look after the statues of the deities in the temple, for example by washing them and clothing them each day. He will also âfeedâ the deities by placing blessed food, called prashadFood that is offered to deities (often as part of worship) and believed by some Hindus to therefore carry divine blessings., at their feet. This food is then shared out with people in the temple or the poor.