What are the rituals and practices of

Hinduism?
Krishna
The religious life of many Hindus is focused on devotion to God (perceived as Brahman,
Shiva, Vishnu, or Shakti) or several gods. This devotion usually takes the form of rituals and
practices associated with sculptures and images of gods in home shrines. (See indu
deities and indu fast facts)
!ore philosophically"minded indus ignore the gods altogether and seek #eali$ation of the
Self through intense meditation. Still others focus primarily on fulfilling the social and moral
duties appropriate to their position in life. (Seeindu %eliefs and indu holidays and indu
history)
These various approaches are regarded as e&ually valid, and in fact are formally recogni$ed
as three paths (margas) to li%eration' bhaktimarga (the path of devotion), jnanamarga (the
path of knowledge or philosophy), and karmamarga (the path of works and action).
Hindu religious stages
indu religious practices center on the importance of fulfilling the duties associated %oth with
one(s social position and one(s stage of life. )ith regard to the latter, traditional indus are
e*pected to pass through four stages(ashramas) over the course of their life'
+. Brahmacharga, which takes place during the school years, is focused on ac&uiring
knowledge and developing character,
-. Grastha, the middle years, is focused on worldly pursuits and pleasures such as
marriage, family and career,
.. Vanaprastha, when one(s children reach adulthood, is a time of increased focus on
spiritual things, and
/. Sanngasu, in the last years of life, one may a%andon the world entirely for a life of
contemplation.
0ll stages of life for the indu, however, involve religious rituals and practices. Some of the
ma1or indu practices are descri%ed in the articles %elow.
Hindu religious practices
Ayurveda
0yurveda is an ancient indu system of medicine and healing that has found new popularity
in the west today.
Hatha Yoga
2utside of indu culture, the word 3yoga3 is usually understood to refer to the practice of
meditative movement, or atha 4oga. owever, atha 4oga is only one part of the indu
traditions of 4oga and Tantra. 5t is one of the paths leading to the ultimate goal of #a1a 4oga,
or contemplation of the 2ne #eality.
Kundalini Yoga
6undalini yoga is a tantric form of yoga focused on awakening the kundalini, the latent
psychic energy that lies at the %ase of the spine, and making it rise through the seven
chakras to the top of the spine.
Namaste Greeting
The gesture (or mudra) of namaste is a simple act made %y %ringing together %oth palms of
the hands %efore the heart, and lightly %owing the head. 5n the simplest of terms it is
accepted as a hum%le greeting straight from the heart and reciprocated accordingly.
Puja (Pooja)
7u1a is a religious ritual which some indus perform every morning after %athing and
dressing %ut prior to taking any food or drink. 7u1a is seen as a way of relating humans to the
domain and actions of the divine, and can %e performed for anything considered divine, from
Vishnu to a holy tree.
The adhu (Holy !an)
Some indus choose to leave their homes and dedicate their lives to spiritual disciplines.
They renounce their possessions and devote themselves to a particular god and8or
meditation, yoga and spiritual discussion. These are called sadhus, or holy men.
Temples and Temple "ituals
0 guide to indu temples' how they are designed and %uilt and the rituals and ceremonies
that take place there.