Why Do We Light Incense Sticks Before God?

By Super

Wednesday, March 20, 2013, 14:16 [IST]

Wonder why we light incense sticks during a religious ceremony? There is more than one reason to it. You must have noticed that among all the other things that you do during a religious ceremony, you have to light incense sticks in front of the God's idol. This is one of the Hindu customs that has been carried forward through ages. There are some definite and scientific reasons behind most of the Hindu rituals. Let us find out the reasons behind lighting incense sticks.

Spiritual Reasons- There is a spiritual reason behind lighting incense sticks. It is so believed that the rings of smoke that rise high into the air carry our prayers to the gods. It inspires your thoughts to be pure and beautiful.

The incense stick burns itself completely filling the air with a fine smell, leaving behind just the ashes. This is one of the Hindu rituals which again symbolises a human virtue or quality. It teaches man the art of sacrificing oneself for the cause of others. It shows how to light the life of other people with happiness, leaving behind your own desires and aspirations. This is the reason as to why we light an incense in a puja or a religious ceremony.

Psychological Reasons- Incense sticks are also used during several therapies. The aroma that is spread in the air after you light an incense stick has an immense healing and soothing effect on the mind. You become mentally relaxed and forget all other troubles and worries when you sit for a religious ceremony. This helps you concentrate and pray to the lord with all your heart and soul. When you offer a prayer with great devotion it acts like a meditative process that reduces stress and depression.

Creates Ambiance- As a part of traditional Hindu rituals when you light an incense it removes all foul smells from the air around. It creates the perfect ambiance for the performance of a religious ceremony or Hindu customs. The very smell of incense sticks can be related to religious rites and rituals. They are also used as natural disinfectant that drives way insects.

Others- Incense sticks are not only a part of Hindu rituals or customs; they have been used since centuries in Chinese, Egyptian, Tibetan and Japanese cultures. They use it not only as a part of their religious ceremonies but also for personal things like aromatherapy.

So, next time whenever you light an incense stick, remember that it benefits you in more than one way.