5 THINGS CONNECTED WITH MANDIR!
1) Significance of diyas in the mandir.
– In the Hindu religion, people lit diyas twice a day, one in the morning and another in the evening. In ancient times diyas were made using wheat dough, in which cotton ball was placed with ghee. Diya is the symbol of light, it teaches us to remove darkness from our lives and spread light.
2) At what time the mandir door should be open and closed?
-At the time of Suryodaya (Sunrise), the doors of the mandir are kept open. In morning aarti, fruits, dry fruits and milk are offered to God, which is then consumed by the family members as prasad. Then the next meal is offered to God in the afternoon as lunch in which before family members eat, food is offered to God. Between 1 pm to 4 pm, the doors of the mandir are closed for God to sleep. Prasad is offered to God after suryasta(Sunset) and then aarti takes place, then after the doors (dwar) of the mandir is closed for God to sleep. Open mandirs should be covered with curtains instead of doors.
3) Importance of shringar (makeup and designer clothes) according to Hindu traditions.
-Shringar not only showcases outer beauty but also depicts the state of inner beauty and consciousness. Gods and goddesses were charmed with various shastras (weapons) and ornaments, which were associated with life lessons that were addressed to their devotees when needed. Every part of shringar is linked with a story. Shringar shows the strength, power, and uniqueness of each individual. Gods and goddesses put on different shringar according to special days and occasions. Devotees feel satisfied and blessed after getting the grand appearance or darshan of God. Gods look magnificent in their designer clothes and adorable shringar.
4) Importance of shrifal in a mandir
-The significance of shrifal lies in its characteristics of being hard from the outside and sweet from the inside. It teaches humans to be kind and sweet in character, just like coconut water, and be strong like a coconut shell when facing, hard consequences in life. Shrifal is used at every auspicious occasion in Hindu culture, it is the most prominent element in every pooja. It is said that coconut brings opulence, joy, and fame to the house where it is kept in pooja.
5) Why is the bell ringed while doing aarti?
-Bell is rung during the aarti to wake up god from sleep and also to align the wandering thoughts of devotees and synchronize them on the path of peace. It is ringed during aarti when family members sit together and pray to god.