In Hinduism, there are many different types of worship however these are the main ones:
- Puja – ritual worship, especially of the deity
- Arti – the greeting ceremony with lamps, etc.
- Bhajan or Kirtan – hymns and chants (often during arti)
- Darshan – taking audience of a deity or holy person
- Prasad – offering and eating sacred food
- Pravachan – talk or lecture on the scriptures
- Havan – the sacred fire ceremony
- Japa/Meditation/Prayer – internal practices of worship
- Parikram/Pradakshina – circumambulation
- Seva – active service, to the deity, holy people, etc.
![Picture](/uploads/2/3/9/0/23905832/8148289.jpg?267)
The most popular of these, however, individual worship. Hindus worship at home or in their local temple.
![Picture](/uploads/2/3/9/0/23905832/9704804.jpg?277)
Hindu religious rites are classified into three categories:
- Nitya
- Nitya rituals are performed daily and consist in offerings made at the home shrine or performing puja to the family deities.
- Naimittika
- Naimittika rituals are important but only occur at certain times during the year, such as celebrations of the festivals, thanksgiving and so on.
- Kamya
- Kamya are rituals which are "optional" but highly desirable. Pilgrimage is one such.
![Picture](/uploads/2/3/9/0/23905832/6971535.jpg?285)
At the Kumbh Mela festival at Allahabadup, once every 12 years, up to 10 million people share in ritual bathing where the waters of the Ganges and Jumna combine. Some Hindus walk from all over the continent to the bathing as they beleive that their sins will be washed away because the river Ganges is the holiest river for Hindus.
The city of Varanasi, also known as Benares, is situated on the banks of the Ganges and is one of the most important pilgrimage centres. It is said to be the home of Lord Shiva where legend has it that his fiery light broke through the earth to reach the heavens. A Hindu who dies at Varanasi and has their ashes scattered on the Ganges is said to have experienced the best death possible.
The city of Varanasi, also known as Benares, is situated on the banks of the Ganges and is one of the most important pilgrimage centres. It is said to be the home of Lord Shiva where legend has it that his fiery light broke through the earth to reach the heavens. A Hindu who dies at Varanasi and has their ashes scattered on the Ganges is said to have experienced the best death possible.
Cows are very important to Hindus, they are sacred animals. Some Hindus believe that by splashing the cow's urine on to their head and faces. Cows represent motherhood and their milk nurses the Hindus. Here is a video about this extraordinary phenomenon.