👁 Darshan
Darshan means "seeing". Hindus believe that when they look at the murti, the deity looks back at them. Being seen by God is a blessing. Many worshippers stand quietly with their hands together and simply gaze at the murti.
Hinduism: Worship and Practice » Puja, Havan, Darshan and Arti
What you'll learn this session
Study time: 30 minutes
Edexcel spec: Paper 2 Hinduism (4RS1/2C), 3.2 (part 1)
- The nature and importance of puja, havan, darshan and arti
- The nature and purpose of prayer in the mandir and the home
- How and why a murti, bell, flowers, lamps and arti tray are used
- How the offerings involve all the senses
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Unlock This CourseWorship as welcoming a guest
Much Hindu worship is about doing something for God. Many Hindus see the deity as present in the murti, so worship is a way of welcoming and honouring them. Hindus worship in the mandir and at home, and the same actions are used in both places.
Key terms:
- Murti: a sacred image or statue of a deity.
- Mantra: a sacred word or phrase chanted in worship.
- Havan: a worship ceremony in which offerings are made to a sacred fire.
- Arti (recap from Pilgrimage to Varanasi and Vrindavan): the act of waving a lit lamp in front of the murti.
- Prashad: food that has been offered to the deity and is then shared out and eaten.
- Arti tray: the tray, usually metal, that holds the lamp and other items used during arti.
You have already met puja (worship of a deity, usually before a murti) and darshan (seeing the deity). This lesson looks at them more closely.
Puja
In puja, worshippers honour the deity as if they were a royal guest arriving at the house. A guest would be given water, food, flowers, incense and light, and the worshipper offers these things:
- Water to wash and refresh the guest.
- Food to eat, often fruit or sweets.
- Flowers as a gift of beauty.
- Incense, with its sweet smell.
- Light, from a lamp.
When puja is finished, the food is shared as prashad. Hindus believe it has been blessed by the deity, so eating it is a way of receiving God's kindness. Puja matters because it is a daily act of love and respect, and Hindus say it brings God close to the family.
Havan
In a havan, a fire is lit in a small pit or container. While priests or worshippers chant mantras, offerings of ghee (clarified butter) and grains are poured into the flames. Hindus believe the fire carries the offerings to the gods. The fire is also a symbol of purity, because flames burn away what is unclean. Havan is often used at important moments such as weddings and festivals, and some families also perform it at home.
Darshan and arti
🔥 Arti
In arti, a lamp is lit and waved in circles in front of the murti, usually while hymns are sung and a bell is rung. The lamp may burn ghee or camphor. It honours the deity with light.
After the lamp has been waved, it is carried round to the worshippers. They hold their hands over the flame and then bring them to their eyes and forehead. In this way they receive the light as a blessing. Arti is often the high point of worship in the mandir. Many families also perform a short arti at home, each morning or evening.
Prayer in the mandir and the home
Prayer is a way of speaking to God, giving thanks, asking for help or simply showing devotion. Hindus pray in two main places.
- In the home. Most daily prayer happens in front of the family's shrine. A family member may light a lamp and incense, offer flowers or food and say a prayer, often before the day begins. The purpose is to keep God at the centre of family life.
- In the mandir. Prayer here is shared with others. Worshippers offer prayers, take part in arti and receive darshan together. The purpose is to worship alongside the community, often at festivals or on special days.
Hindus are not required to visit the mandir, and many see daily worship at home as just as important.
Different Hindu views. Many Hindus, such as Vaishnavas, put great stress on murti puja and arti. Arya Samaj does not use murtis and puts havan at the centre of worship. Some Hindus stress inner devotion more than ritual.
Objects of devotion
🙏 Murti
The murti is the focus of worship. Hindus believe the deity is present in it, so it is washed, dressed and offered food as an honoured guest. In a home it may be small. In a large mandir there may be several murtis, each with its own shrine.
🔔 Bell
A bell is rung to announce the worshipper's arrival to the deity. Its sound also helps the worshipper to stop thinking about other things and focus the mind on God.
🌸 Flowers
Flowers are offered to the murti as a gift of beauty and a sign of love. They are often made into garlands for the deity.
🕯 Lamps
A lamp gives light, which Hindus link with goodness and with knowledge pushing out darkness. Lamps are lit in the mandir and at home shrines.
🍳 Arti tray
The arti tray holds the lamp and other items such as incense and flowers. Waving the tray before the murti is the main act of arti. Using a tray makes it easy to carry the flame around the worshippers.
These objects are used in the same way in different places of worship. In a small home shrine there may be one lamp and a few flowers. In a large mandir there may be many lamps and much more elaborate arti trays. The meaning is the same.
Worship for all the senses
Offerings in Hindu worship use every sense, so the whole person is involved in worship:
- Sight: the murti, the flowers and the flame of the lamp.
- Smell: incense and flowers.
- Sound: the bell, hymns and chanting.
- Taste: prashad.
- Touch: sprinkling water, and feeling the warmth of the flame.
Hindus believe that using the senses to honour God turns everyday experiences into worship.
Common mistakes
- Saying puja is just "praying". Puja is a set of actions: offering water, food, flowers, incense and light.
- Describing what happens without saying why it matters. For example, explain that the bell announces the worshipper and focuses the mind.
- Mixing up darshan (seeing and being seen) and arti (waving the lamp).
- Saying Hindus worship the lamp or the flowers. They are offerings to the deity.
Exam-style question
(a) Outline two ways in which Hindus use objects of devotion in worship. [4 marks]
(b) Explain why arti is important for Hindus. [6 marks]
(c) "Worship at home is more important than worship in the mandir." Discuss this statement, considering the arguments for and against. In your answer you should include: reference to teachings; other (divergent) points of view, either within the religion or from other religions; your opinion or point of view using reasoned arguments. [10 marks]
Model answer
(a) Hindus ring a bell (1) to announce their arrival to the deity and to help them focus the mind (1). They offer flowers to the murti (1) as a gift of beauty and a sign of love for the deity (1).
(b) Arti is important because it honours the deity with light (1), as a royal guest would be welcomed (1). It is often the high point of worship in the mandir (1). Worshippers pass their hands over the flame and bring them to their eyes and forehead to receive the light as a blessing (1). Hymns and the bell involve the senses and help the worshipper to focus on God (1). Many families also perform arti at home, which keeps God at the centre of family life (1).
(c) Plan. For: most daily puja and prayer happen at home, in front of the family shrine. Hindus do not have to visit the mandir, and God is present in the murti wherever it is. A home shrine lets a family worship every morning and evening, and teaches children by example. Against: the mandir brings the community together for festivals, darshan of a consecrated murti and shared arti, and a priest can lead havan for important events. Worshipping with others strengthens the faith. Another view: Arya Samaj does not use murtis and stresses havan, while some Hindus say inner devotion matters more than any place, so neither is essential. Conclusion: home worship is the foundation of daily devotion, but the mandir adds community, so the two work together and neither is more important for every Hindu.
Exam tip
In a 4-mark "Outline" question, give two separate points and develop each one with a reason. For the objects of devotion, say what each is used for.