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Course: Art of Asia > Unit 1
Lesson 1: Hindu art and culture, an introduction- Roots of Hinduism
- Beliefs of Hinduism
- Principal texts of Hinduism
- Hindu temples
- Hinduism and the practice of faith
- Hindu deities
- Principal deities of Hinduism
- The Hindu deity Shiva
- Hindu deity Vishnu
- The Hindu deities Vishnu and Krishna
- The Hindu deity Ganesha
- Hindu deity Durga victorious over the buffalo demon
- Festival of the Goddess Durga
- Brahmani
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Hinduism and the practice of faith
Religion pervades many aspects of Hindu life, and religious observance is not limited to one location, time of day, or use of a particular text. It assumes many forms: in the home, at the temple, on a pilgrimage, through yogic practices, dance or music, at the roadside, by the river, through the observation of one’s social duties and so on.
Puja
The general term used to describe Hindu worship is puja—the most common forms of worship taking place in the home at the family shrine and at the local temple. Practices vary depending on location, but generally speaking, the worshiper might approach the temple to give thanks, to ask for assistance, to give penance, or to contemplate the divine. Worship is tied to the individual or family group, rather than a service or congregational gathering. Puja occurs on a daily basis, or even several times throughout the day, as well as at specific times and days at local temples, and with abundant festivities on the occasions of great festivals.
In the temple, the devotees are assisted by the priest, who intercedes on their behalf by performing ritual acts, and blessing offerings. Worship often begins by circumambulating the temple. Inside the temple, the priest’s actions are accompanied by the ringing of bells, passing of a flame, and chanting. Traditionally, dance also formed an essential part of temple worship.
Darshan
A key concept in the worship of Hindu deities is the act of making eye contact with the deity (darshan). The activity of making direct visual contact with the god or goddess is a two-sided event; the worshiper sees the divinity, and the divinity likewise sees the devotee. This ritualistic viewing occurs between devotee and God in intimate domestic spaces, as well as in tremendously crowded temple complexes where the individual may be part of a throng of hundreds or thousands of other worshipers. It is believed that by having darshan of the god’s image, one takes the energy that is given by the deity, and receives blessings.
This essential Hindu practice also demonstrates the profound importance of religious imagery to worship and ritual. While in most other religious traditions images are believed to represent or suggest divine or holy personages, or are altogether forbidden, in Hindu practice painted and sculpted images are believed to genuinely embody the divine. Appropriate ritual imbues images with authentic divine presence. Literal physical connection in the form of visual contact is essential to religious devotion, whether on a local and ongoing basis, or in the undertaking of great pilgrimages.
Want to join the conversation?
- Whats the deity or darshan?(2 votes)
- deity is an English word referring to the object of worship, and 'darshan' is the act of making eye contact with the deity in Hinduism(3 votes)
- I have seen in most historical pictures that most of the people are either not clothed or very little clothed. Is there a reason why they were pretty much "bare"?(2 votes)
- it is so cool(1 vote)
- does what they say happens in pujas happen in ALL pujas?(1 vote)
- deity is an English word referring to the object of worship, and 'darshan' is the act of making eye contact with the deity in Hinduism(1 vote)
- how is Hinduism cultures(1 vote)
- The book that answers your question is very thick. I think you need to ask your librarian.(1 vote)
- How many hindu gods are there(1 vote)
- why is Asian art so different(0 votes)
- So different from what? Which is the base standard for judgment?(2 votes)
- what the meaning of the word atman in hinduism?(0 votes)
- 'Atman'has a sanskrit origin which literally translates into'spirit/soul' that lives inside a person.Hindus believe that atman/atma is something that is immortal .The soul leaves one body and enters another.(1 vote)
- Why would they want to hide the eyes of their soul? CCL(0 votes)