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 holidays or special events, such as marriages.... Read more about Home Altar

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 transportation accessibility (nearby highways) and the natural beauty of the locations (hillsides and hilltops).... Read more about Building a Temple

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 Earth (bhumi puja). The central events take place in a large tent by the temple and include a fire altar ceremony, offerings of words and goods, and a closing ceremony, purnahuti or completion. ... Read more about Consecration: Kumbhabhishekam

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 establishing of breath.... Read more about Murti: The Image of God

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 offering). After prayers and consecration by the priest, these elements are shared with the worshippers.... Read more about Lamp Offerings: Hindu Worship

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’s shrine can be found near the entrance or in the center of a shrine.... Read more about Ganesha: the Lord of Beginnings

... Read more about Balaji: Vishnu in America

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 Sita is reenacted. Families with daughters of marriageable age serve as sponsors for the divine wedding, which is also a chance to pray for the good marriage of their daughters in the future.
... Read more about Rama, Sita, Hanuman

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 depicted in cross-legged yogi forms. Hindu communities hold Maha Shivaratri (The Great Night of Shiva), an annual celebration of Shiva.... Read more about The Great Night of Shiva

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 Balaram. The festival provides an opportunity for darshan, or “seeing” the image of Lord Krishna on the city’s streets.... Read more about Krishna’s Chariot Festival

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 the Goddess is Durga Puja, also called Navaratri since it takes place over “Nine Nights.” Ma, or Mother, is also used to refer to women whose lives embody the power of the Divine within the Hindu community. ... Read more about Many Ma’s: Goddess in America

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.... Read more about Ashram: The Forest Retreat

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 new white silk dhoti. They are also given the “sacred thread” in the form of a cord tied over the left shoulder and under the right arm. These materials signify the boy’s readiness for learning, studying the Veda, and performing rituals.... Read more about Upanayana: The Sacred Thread