sadhana.tamilelibrary.org

here are a collection of various bathes to give to the deities during the pooja:
MANgala-snana (sahasra dhar)
bathe the Lord in water mixed with auspicious things,
such as jasmine flowers, durva grass, and darbha grass
Pancha-gavyam
cow urine, cow dung and ghee (these in small proportion), cow milk and yogurt.
Panchamrita
milk – yogurt – ghee – honey – sugar
Juices
orange, apple, dark grape, cranberry, pineapple
Seeds of herbs – Sarvaushadhi-snana (sahasra dhar)
fennel, anise, caraway, cardamom, cloves
Astaka-bija-snana (sahasra dhar)
bathe in water containing eight types of seeds
(barley, wheat, wild rice, sesame, millet, rice paddy, panic seed, and rice which grows in sixty days)
Gandhodaka-snana
bathe in water mixed with scents such as musk and aguru
Urshodaka-snana
bathe with warm water

Sodasa upachar seva pujan – offer aradhanam of 16 items
asan (offer seat)
swagatham (greeting with anjali mudra)
padyam (washing Lord’s feet – footwash)
sugandam tailam (anointing with oils)
snaniyam (bathing)
phala malyam (fruit garlands – made of grapes, mandarin, dried fruits)
sotiriya vastram (offering cloth, change wet set dress)
tilam (marking the deity with auspicious signs and symbols)
upavatam (sacred thread)
abharanam (decorate with jewels)
malyam (garland)
gandam (sandalwood paste)
sugandam pushpam (flower petals dipped in sandalwood paste)
tulasi patram (tulasi leaves)
dhupam (incense)
deepam (lamp, light)
naivedyam , paniyam (food)
prananya svaha (prana mudra); apanaya svaha (apana mudra)
vyanaya svana (vyana mudra); udanaya svaha (udana mudra)
samanaya svaha (samana mudra); brahmaye svaha
om amrito pAstrAnamasi

tambulam (betal, cloves, candamon, rock candy, chmas, suparis)

Puja

Nyasa

Temple worship and rituals (1 of 5)

by S. Srinivasa Rao

http://ssubbanna.sulekha.com/blog/post/2007/10/temple-worship-and-rituals-1-of-5.htm

This is the first of the five articles on certain aspects of temple worship and its related rituals
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The Hindu temples are complex institutions.  They represent the culmination of social and religious  aspirations of a society. Temple is the focal point in the life of a community and often represents  its pride, identity and unity. It is also the index of the community’s wellbeing. It draws into its fold  people from its various segments and denominations; and binds them together. In smaller communities the temple apart from being a source of spiritual or religious comfort, also serves as center for education and recreation. Read the rest of this entry »

Health in Your Hand: Seven Mudras for Amazing Health Benefits
Mudras are very powerful. If you practice these mudras regularly you can see the wonderful health benefits. Read the rest of this entry »

Importance of the ritual “Shraddha”

1. Information related to the term ‘Shraddha’

A. Meaning and Scope

The term ‘Shraddha’ has originated from ‘Shraddhaa’ (faith). It is impossible to repay the various favors, which our deceased forefathers have done for us. The ritual performed for them with complete faith is known as Shraddha.

B: Definition

The definition of Shraddha as given in the ‘Shraddha’ chapter within the Brahmapura.

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Meaning of the verse:  “The offerings (food etc.) made to the brahmins (priests) with the intension being received by the deceased ancestors, after taking into account the aptness of country, time period and place and with complete faith and abiding by all the rules is known as Shraddha. Read the rest of this entry »

by Scaria THURUTHIYIL

http://www.spiritual-wholeness.org/faqs/reincgen/hindrein.htm

1. Introduction
Before we turn to the specific theme of reincarnation in Hinduism, [l] think it important to specify very briefly what do we intend by Hinduism and Reincarnation in general.

1.1 Hinduism
Hinduism is not just a single religion, but a “mosaic of religion”, within which we can find most elementary superstitions and mythologies, from the cult of inanimate objects, like stones, rivers, planets to animate objects, like trees, animals, heroes, dead ancestors and spirits; at the same time it presents itself as a fertile field for a most elevated mysticism, which seeks to reach not only the union of the soul with a personal God, the creator and governor of the universe, but even to overcome this dualistic attitude by “realizing” one’s identity with the Absolute Spirit. Hinduism, we can say, is the global expression of the religiosity of the peoples of India, which again is a “museum of humanity”‘. Read the rest of this entry »

Hindu Rituals: An overview
By Sri Swami Sivananda

Sandhyopasana

Sandhyopasana literally means – worship at the junctions of time. – It is a prayer and worship offered to the Lord at the junction (Sandhi) of night and morning, forenoon and afternoon and at the junction of evening and night. The Arghyapradana to the sun and the meditation on and recitation of Gayatri, form the heart of the worship. Properly understood, the whole Sandhya is an earnest prayer addressed to the Lord to forgive all ones sins committed during ones routine, daily activities and to bestow illumination and grace. Read the rest of this entry »

Srila Prabhupada and the Origins of the Hare Krishna Movement

During the 1960s and 70s, in the midst of the counter culture movement, the Hare Krishna Movement emerged as a highly visible phenomenon. They were known largely for distributing their sacred literature (such as the Bhagavad Gita As It Is and Srimad Bhagvatam), usually at airports and for distributing vegetarian meals. The devotees, chanting the names of Krishna (Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare/ Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare) with drums and cymbals in hand, became a common sight on the streets of major cities around the world. Read the rest of this entry »

Blog posts Post -1

It was left to Adhi Sankara to identify the six streams of Hindu pantheon. Vaishnavam, Saivam, Saktham, Kowmaram, Ganapathyam and Sowram are the six distinct religious systems within the larger frame work of Hinduism as identified by Adhi Sankara. The
Vaishnavites worship Vishnu; Saivites worship Siva; the worship of Sakthi, the female principle of Saivam is called Saktham; the worship of Muruga or Subramanya is called Kowmaram; the worship of Ganapathy is called Ganapathyam and those who worship the Sun belong to Sowram. Read the rest of this entry »