# The Hindu Experience ## expand\_more [### Home Altar ](/home-altar) There are many variations of Hindu rituals at home, but the home altar remains an important part of American Hindu households. The home altar can be a place for studying scripture, performing puja, gathering a small Hindu community, and celebrating... ![Home Altar](/sites/g/files/omnuum10836/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/pluralism/files/home_altar.jpg?h=caa26f28&itok=0RhgPcgd) [### Building a Temple ](/building-a-temple) Building temples is especially important for first-generation Hindu immigrants in the United States who want their children and grandchildren to know Hindu teachings and values. Although choosing sites is a challenge, Hindu communities tend to emphasize... ![Building a Temple](/sites/g/files/omnuum10836/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/pluralism/files/building_a_temple.jpg?h=8abb7ec6&itok=ZQkrFkZQ) [### Consecration: Kumbhabhishekam ](/consecration-kumbhabhishekam) Kumbhabhishekam is a Hindu temple consecration ceremony that involves sprinkling (abhishekam) the temple with sacred waters brought in a water pot (kumbha). The consecration ceremony takes several days and begins with honoring Ganesha and praying to the... ![Consecration Kumbhabhishekam](/sites/g/files/omnuum10836/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/pluralism/files/consecration_kumbhabhishekam.jpg?itok=ZyKvv03q) [### Murti: The Image of God ](/murti-the-image-of-god) Creating images of Gods in Hinduism is not as simple as carving stones to resemble their supposed likeness. Multiple ritual steps are involved: bathing the stone with sacred water and, most importantly, the carving/opening of the Divine eye and the... ![Murti the Image of God](/sites/g/files/omnuum10836/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/pluralism/files/murti_the_image_of_god.jpg?itok=mZcRQWKM) [### Lamp Offerings: Hindu Worship ](/lamp-offerings-hindu-worship) The offerings in puja reflect five elements of the universe: earth (represented by fragrant sandalwood paste), water, space (represented by mantras and chants), wind (represented by the wafting of wind or air), and fire (represented by an arati or oil... ![Lamp Offerings](/sites/g/files/omnuum10836/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/pluralism/files/lamp_offerings_copy.jpg?itok=EeZiRZYN) [### Ganesha: the Lord of Beginnings ](/ganesha-the-lord-of-beginnings) Ganesha is a prominent Hindu Deity worshipped as the “Lord of Beginnings” and the “Remover of Obstacles.” Ganesha’s image is represented by a human body with the head of an elephant, usually pictured carrying a book with a broken tusk as the pen. Ganesha... ![Ganesha the Lord of Beginnings](/sites/g/files/omnuum10836/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/pluralism/files/ganesha_lord_of_the_beginnings.jpg?itok=0FbOe3oP) [### Balaji: Vishnu in America ](/balaji-vishnu-in-america) Vishnu is honored as the Supreme Lord by many Hindus and his most popular place of pilgrimage in India is Sri Venkateswara in Andhra Pradesh where he is known affectionately as Balaji. One of the first great temples in America is the Sri Venkateswara... ![Balaji Vishnu in America](/sites/g/files/omnuum10836/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/pluralism/files/balaji_vishnu_in_america.jpg?h=b79ec96d&itok=4XMlfmif) [### Rama, Sita, Hanuman ](/rama-sita-hanuman) Rama, Sita, and Hanuman are central, divine characters in the Ramayana. Rama is both worshipped and admired as a righteous king and a fully human incarnation of Lord Vishnu. During a Rama Navami Celebration, Rama's birth is celebrated and his wedding to... ![Rama Sita Hanuman](/sites/g/files/omnuum10836/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/pluralism/files/rama_sita_hanuman.jpg?itok=efjF_72l) [### The Great Night of Shiva ](/the-great-night-of-shiva) Shiva or Mahadeva, the Supreme Lord, is a God of creation and destruction. Depicted as both male and female, Shiva is most commonly worshipped in the form of a simple stone shaft (Shiva linga ), a male/female symbol of cosmic wholeness. Shiva may also be... ![The Great Night of Shiva](/sites/g/files/omnuum10836/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/pluralism/files/great_night_of_shiva.jpg?h=259e8ae3&itok=b1SNA6po) [### Krishna’s Chariot Festival ](/krishna%E2%80%99s-chariot-festival) The festival of Lord Krishna (also called Ratha Yatra or the “Chariot Journey” of Lord Krishna) is celebrated during the summer months with a parade of big and colorful handmade chariots bearing images of Lord Krishna, his sister Subhadra, and his brother... ![Krishna's Chariot Festival](/sites/g/files/omnuum10836/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/pluralism/files/krishnas-chariot-festival.jpg?itok=RuzkzBqT) [### Many Ma’s: Goddess in America ](/many-ma%E2%80%99s-goddess-in-america) The Goddess in the Hindu faith is known by many names: Parvati (the wife of Shiva), Lakshmi or Bhu Devi (the wife of Vishnu), Durga or Kali, Shakti (meaning power). Her most common name most often used in prayer is Ma, or Mother. The main celebration of... ![Many Ma's Goddess in American](/sites/g/files/omnuum10836/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/pluralism/files/many_mas.jpg?itok=1RdMeyQ2) [### Ashram: The Forest Retreat ](/ashram-the-forest-retreat) Ashrams are Hindu retreat centers that contribute to the cultivation of spiritual lives. Ashrams may offer year-round community, weekend and week-long retreats, lectures, and swami consultations. Download (PDF) An ashram is a retreat center, where... ![Ashram the Forest Retreat](/sites/g/files/omnuum10836/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/pluralism/files/ashram_the_forest_retreat.jpg?itok=1eGGe4li) [### Upanayana: The Sacred Thread ](/upanayana-the-sacred-thread) Upanayana is a Hindu rite of passage ritual primarily for boys, marking their rebirth into the world of the Vedas and their readiness to learn the tradition. In the middle of the ceremony, boys are given special tradition garments, often in the form of a... ![Upanayana the Sacred Thread](/sites/g/files/omnuum10836/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/pluralism/files/upanayana_the_sacred_thread.jpg?h=1c31b8c6&itok=xpd4wihb)