| INDIAN TEMPLES AND SHRINES | | | | flowing there; in Allahabad the three famous |
| Indian shrines and temples or any other place are such | | | | rivers-ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati meets and that |
| divine places that are revered by the followers of the | | | | particular destination is deeply worshiped with great |
| religion. India is particularly said to be the land of the | | | | obeisance; Shipra river in Ujjain is also considered pious. |
| holy places. There are so many rituals, mythological | | | | TREES are the most ancient natural deity worshiped in |
| truths and beliefs and religious culture which have given | | | | this country. Like--Sal tree is worshiped in Jharkhand; |
| birth to such diverse religions. Some can discuss for | | | | Banyan tree commonly known as 'Bargad' is among |
| common are: Buddhism, Hinduism, Muslim, Sikhs, | | | | the oldest trees. With large thick trunk, lavish branches |
| Christianity and Jainism. The Indian culture praises not | | | | and aerial roots banyan has a magnificent personality |
| only the god idols but also some gifts of nature. For | | | | of its own. On the festival of 'Bargad Amavasya' It is |
| instance: | | | | worshiped by women with tying the pious red thread |
| ANIMALS like cow is highly respected in this culture. | | | | 'klava' around it and wishing for the fortune. The |
| Cow is not hurt by people, rather in many pious | | | | celebration varies according to the regions; Peepal tree |
| ceremonies it is decorated and worshipped; Snake is | | | | is also one of the oldest trees. This tree is basically |
| also considered pious. In kumaon snakes are | | | | worshiped to make God 'Shani' happy. People light up |
| worshipped and poems are sung for them. In Kerala | | | | earthen lamps under the tree. This can be done every |
| also snakes are worshipped. | | | | day but Saturday is considered more fruitful day; |
| The forces of NATURE like wind, fire, earth etc are | | | | TULSI is a shrub which is alike 'ganga jal' considered |
| revered too. Like- people in Ladakh believe in a religion | | | | mandatory to be present in the Hindu family. This plant |
| called bon in which natural forces are worshiped; | | | | is believed as the goddess and worshiped every |
| Lands and villages are worshiped in kumaon; The | | | | morning. Its leaves are used in the pious ceremonies |
| tribes of Tripura worship natural deities like goddesses | | | | but believed not to be plucked after sunset and on |
| of cotton and corn, the gods of sky and sea and the | | | | Sundays. 'Tulsi vivah' is arranged on the particular day |
| god of healing; | | | | with a black stone called 'Shaligram' which is |
| RIVERS are one the pious natural gifts of god. Out of | | | | considered to be equivalent of lord Vishnu. |
| many pious rivers, GANGA river is the dedicated one. | | | | The nine planets renowned here as 'Navgraha' are |
| This river originates at gaumukh in the gangotri and | | | | worshiped too. The prayers and rhymes are chanted |
| travels down in the north-Indian plain at Haridwar. The | | | | for these planets. Besides this, there is a temple in |
| magnificent fair called 'kumbh mela' are held here | | | | Guwahati, Assam called 'Navgraha temple' devoted to |
| occasionally. The water of Ganga is called 'Jal' and its | | | | these nine planets. |
| use is mandatory in all the pious ceremonies. The 'Jal' | | | | Let's move deep into some of the religions of India. |
| can be kept in a bottle at home for unlimited time and it | | | | Among them Buddhism and Hinduism are the most |
| does not get spoil. In most of the Hindu families, 'Ganga | | | | ancient religions. So, let's get positioned in an obeisance |
| jal 'has to be there at home. Ghats are the place | | | | to discover the temples and shrines that are created, |
| where the pious rivers flow and on those places all | | | | respected and served oblations by the devotees of |
| type of holy rituals are held. The Ghats of Varanasi | | | | god. |
| are worshiped because of rivers Varuna and Asi | | | | |