The Hindu Tradition Of Ringing The Bell

By Staff

Tuesday, May 12, 2009, 10:03

Customs and rituals in the Hindu tradition have their own significance. When it comes to the Lord's worship, the sounding of the bell is an important and integrated part of pooja. It is a well known fact that the peeling of the bell is associated with auspiciousness.

The sound of the bell produces the sound 'Om'. Om is the most auspicious sound in the Hindu tradition that the sounding of it precedes all the mantras. It is also the universal name of the Lord. The bell when sounded reminds one of the prevailing auspiciousness within and without, the realization of which would be the ultimate vision of the Lord.

The bell is sounded when the ritualistic aarati takes place, where the flame of the camphor lights the different parts of the Lord when waved in front of the deity. This mostly forms the concluding part of the worship or the ritual. Sounding the conch and other musical instruments along with the bell drowns other disturbances or inauspicious noises when engaged fervently in the worship of the Lord with concentration and inner peace.

Hence the ringing of the bell prompts us to recognize the all pervading auspiciousness.