Use and significance of symbolism in public worship
| Element in Hindu worship | Symbolic meaning |
| Design of mandir or temple | Gateway entrance and tall tower over the murti showing the importance of the god or goddess. |
| Large statue of the 'vehicle' of the deity | Examples include Lord Shiva riding Nandi the bull, which represents Shiva's power and energy, or Durga Mata riding a tiger to show her power and strength. |
| Murtis | Different images of the deities reflect different aspects of Brahman, eg Shiva the destroyer. |
| Ringing a bell | 'Waking the deity'. |
| Offerings of food, money, incense, flowers | Represent the earth and all she provides and symbolise the thankfulness of worshippers and their hope that the deities will answer their prayers. |
| Taking off shoes/washing hands | Shows reverence and respect. |
| Diva | Symbolises the belief in good overcoming evil and the 'light' provided by the divine. |
| Element in Hindu worship | Design of mandir or temple |
|---|---|
| Symbolic meaning | Gateway entrance and tall tower over the murti showing the importance of the god or goddess. |
| Element in Hindu worship | Large statue of the 'vehicle' of the deity |
|---|---|
| Symbolic meaning | Examples include Lord Shiva riding Nandi the bull, which represents Shiva's power and energy, or Durga Mata riding a tiger to show her power and strength. |
| Element in Hindu worship | Murtis |
|---|---|
| Symbolic meaning | Different images of the deities reflect different aspects of Brahman, eg Shiva the destroyer. |
| Element in Hindu worship | Ringing a bell |
|---|---|
| Symbolic meaning | 'Waking the deity'. |
| Element in Hindu worship | Offerings of food, money, incense, flowers |
|---|---|
| Symbolic meaning | Represent the earth and all she provides and symbolise the thankfulness of worshippers and their hope that the deities will answer their prayers. |
| Element in Hindu worship | Taking off shoes/washing hands |
|---|---|
| Symbolic meaning | Shows reverence and respect. |
| Element in Hindu worship | Diva |
|---|---|
| Symbolic meaning | Symbolises the belief in good overcoming evil and the 'light' provided by the divine. |
Hindu worship is often colourful and noisy. In addition to 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., many 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. have art work to help Hindus think about the many forms of Supreme Spirit BrahmanHindu belief in one true god, the Supreme Spirit, called Brahman, symbolised by the sacred syllable aum (or om). All beings are a part of Brahman., and are sometimes very elaborately decorated.
In addition to bhajanThe Hindu word for songs in praise of the divine. Some are general and others are about particular gods and goddesses. being sung, other music, drama and dance may be used to praise deity / deitiesOne god or goddess. In Hinduism, the word for gods and goddesses that many Hindus believe are different aspects of the one Supreme Spirit (Brahman). in a range of forms and to re-tell stories from scriptureA piece of writing that has religious significance.. The popular festival of Navaratri involves nine nights of song and dance in praise of DeviFemale forms of the divine..