Indian customs and rituals are extremely diverse and varied.
The country has an extremely rich culture and abounds in different religions
and faiths, which makes it most unique. Every belief system has its own set of
rites and rituals thus making up a multitude of rituals. It is thus very
practices which provide a unique sense of identity to the country and give it a
“mystical” touch which attracts tourists form far and wide.
Every Indian ritual is beautiful, has multi- dimensional
purpose and has scientific reason behind it. Ritual can be called as salvic
partying. One meets people and exchange love and energy with people. This helps
us to connect ourselves socially. The aim of any ritual is to invoke divine
blessing and grace. And one such Indian ritual is Ringing the Bell in Temples.
Most of the old temples have large bell at the entrance of
the temple and you need to ring it before you enter temple. A temple bell is
another scientific phenomena, it is not just your ordinary metal. It is made of
various metals including Cadmium, lead, copper, zinc, nickel, chromium and
Maganese. The proportion at which each one of them mixed is real science behind
a bell. Each of these bells is made to produce such a distinct sound that it
can create unity of your left and right brain. The moment you ring the bell, it
produces sharp but lasting sound which lasts for minimum of seven seconds in
echo mode good enough to touch your seven healing centers/chakras in your body.
The moment bell sound happens your brain is emptied of all
thoughts. Invariably you will enter state of Tran’s state where you are very
receptive. This Trans state is the one with awareness. You are so occupied in
mind that only way to awaken you is with a shock. The Bell works as Anti-dote
to your mind.
The bell is used to give sound for keeping evil forces away.
The ringing of bell is pleasing to God. Also beneficial Devatas are attracted
by this sound. Bell is an indispensable part in most Hindu pujas. Bell is
sounded before the actual puja and worship begins. A well-designed bell
produces long strains of the sound “OM.”A bell is rung in a Hindu temple,
during the waving of light in front of the deity, while bathing the deity and
while offering food. Even while doing the ritualistic aarati, we ring the bell. It is
sometimes accompanied by the auspicious sounds of the conch and other musical
instruments. An added significance of ringing the bell, conch and other instruments
is that they help drowned any inauspicious or irrelevant noises and comments
that might disturb or distract the worshippers in their devotional ardor,
concentration and inner peace.
Hindu devotees on entering North Indian temples also hit the
bell hanged in front of the Sanctum Sanctorum. The most widespread belief is
that the bell is sounded to invite the deity to accept the worship and prayers.
Another belief is that it is to drive away the evil forces. The sound made from
a well-designed bell is uninterrupted, reverberating, deep and sonorous.
Symbolically, the body of the bell represents time-Ananta;
the tongue of the bell symbolically represents Goddess Saraswati. The handle of
the bell is considered to be the vital principle (Prana Shakti) and symbolically
represents Hanuman, Garuda, and Nandi/Chakra. The bell without a handle is
considered inauspicious for doing Pujas.
Thus, all these rituals have been prescribed only for our
welfare and to preserve the culture of our country. It is up to us to observe
these rituals, protect and nurture them as our cultural heritage.
