Hindu Rites And Rituals: Origins And Meanings

I've been searching all over the place for some insights into the everyday, ritual lives of ordinary Hindus and how they think about what they do. After hours and hours of looking for material, I've come up largely empty-handed. At present, amongst both researchers and pundits, the trend is towards a highly philosophical and psychological framing of Hindu belief and practice. The more mundane features, such as how they pay respect to the gods during certain rituals, how they prepare their altars, how they worship ancestors, the specific days and stories behind particular annual celebrations, etc., have been ignored. I read the negative reviews before this, but I was hoping I could at least gain some insights into these features of Hindu religious life without having to actually go and live with a bunch of Hindus for a while - which might not be a bad idea, but definitely not possible any time soon. I did get some insights, all-be-it in a sideways way, and at the price of having to wade through over a hundred pages of bad thinking and bad writing.However, I think one of the benefits of the book was that it was so bad. I've traveled in India, a trip replete with spontaneous conversations and debates with religious pandits. I've also lived in Southeast Asia for almost 10 years. This book reminds me of those conversations shared over a cup of tea or shots of whiskey with a local - minus the charm, enthusiasm, and playfulness. Instead, it's more like I accidentally ran into the worst of the bunch - the self-righteous, cocky, and preachy fundamentalist. That said, these are real characters that I've encountered and it's interesting to take a spin in their head for a little while and see how people like this understand and explain what they believe and do. The fact that this book has received so many 5 stars speaks to the fact that this voice and vision is convincing - and it's worthwhile to see what that voice and vision is, despite it's tremendous shortcomings.But I think that most people don't have such a charitable and curious attitude towards such crappy thinking, hence the low score. I benefited and enjoyed it in a weird way, but I think that most well-educated readers wanting a richer, more well-reasoned and researched introduction to the ideas and practices of Hinduism would be very disappointed.

If you want to know why we do certain rituals, rites then you should read this book. There are six sections in the book.1.Gods, Goddess and NatureIn this section, the author tells about certain rituals we do while puja like what is the significance of offering different flowers to our deities, etc.2.Important Hindu DatesIn this section, the author tells about the significance of different dates which Hindu people observe during a whole year like the significance of Makar Sankranti, significance of Akshay Tritiya, etc.3.Rituals: Pujas and YagnasIn this section, the author tells about the importance of pujas and yagnas like what is the significance of paan and supari during pujas? , why are Yagnas performed?, why do Hindus perform Arati? etc.4.Temple RitualsThis section tells the importance of temple rituals like why is a Coconut offered in the temple? , Why are temple door closed during an Eclipse? etc.5.TraditionsThis section tells about tradition Hindu people have like Why do Hindu put a tilak on their forehead?, Why is the Shankha sacred in Hinduism? etc.6.MiscellaneousIn this section the author tells about the significance of Honey, Why is the Cow revered? etc.I liked the book as I got to know about the science behind Hindu rituals which I was doing mindlessly because we are told to do it as it is since out childhood without being told the reason behind every rituals and rite.So Go ahead and find the reasons behind rituals and rites.....

This book did not meet the expectation. There is no research the author does not appear to be well versed in the topic. There are better books on this topic by Chinmay mission and Ramkrishna Mission. Penguin team of editors did not do their homework.Avoid this book, to avoid disappointment.

From my childhood there are a lot of questions blowing in my mind regarding the rituals and daily happenings in the world but I really didn't find the answers and exact meaning for the rituals of rights performed by the Hindus unfortunately my parents also couldn't tell Exact facts about the rituals of Hinduism .I'm really thankful to the author for making me know all the facts about the daily rights and rituals that way perform in our daily life I feel honestly if we don't know these facts and figures it's waste of performing The things in our temples are at our home I feel this Book should be read by every oneBecause we mostly do all the things are chores of activities without knowing any meaning. Thanks Amazon for giving me 85% off discount last week but this book is really worth the price

This book is good one, so many information about Hindu culture and traditions. Even we are following some of the customs the background was unaware. The reason why we are following is unknown. So this book have most of the answers for Hindu rituals.

Incredibly awesome. Contains a treasure trove of arguments regarding basic things related to the Hindu religion. Read it if you really want took know the meaning associated with all the symbols and prayers in Hinduism.