Altar - Puja Mandir

Altar - Puja Mandir, India, single piece

Roughly beautiful, large and assembled from uneven pieces of wood, the Indian home altar is decorated with clay reliefs, oil lamps and sculptures . Size approx. 260mm x 240mm x 180mm. Weight approx. 2095g.

Puja (also called pooja or poojah) is a religious ritual performed by Hindus on various occasions to pray or pay respect to gods or goddesses. Ritual also practiced in Buddhism and Jainism. Puja Mandir means a specific area or altar in the home that is consecrated for the worship of one or more Gods/Goddesses. As in large temples, the center of the home altar also has one or more murtis, often representing Lakshmi, Ganesha, Shiva, Sarasvati, or some other important deity. The size of home altars varies greatly. In most homes, the altar is a small cabinet, simple shelf or shelf in the kitchen. The altar is on a raised platform or raised on the wall, and the accessories used in worship are gathered around it. These include, among other things, an oil lamp (diya) or alternatively candles and candlesticks, a spoon made of brass or copper (kosha kushi) and bowls for serving food offerings (bhog). Other important elements include a cup of pure water, incense (dhupa), colorful sindoor and kumkuma powder, camphor, cloves (laung), dried herbal mixture (havana samagri), prayer beads (mālā) etc.

Symbol meaning

For millennia, altars have been sanctified places where people have communicated with gods, goddesses, ancestral spirits and other beings they consider sacred. With the help of various rituals, the altars have also established a connection with Mother Earth, which controls the cycle of birth, death and rebirth.

Because of this, the altars are also the most central and visible elements of Semiphoras. The goal of our philosophy is to bring different altars, both small and large, depending on the need, into every home and the rituals performed at them a part of everyday life. The altar and altar work adapts to each individual's personal frame of reference and belief system. It functions as a subconscious, psychological, spiritual, spiritual, occult, meditative and sacred area, giving everyone the opportunity to listen to their innermost self and its intuitive guidance during the process of personal growth. The altar also serves as a tangible reminder, an aesthetic arrangement and a visually significant focal point in any space. It asks us to stop and take a breath, but also to regularly engage in the ritual we have committed to. Altar work is at the same time a return to the same ancient experience of holiness that people have sought throughout the ages at various altars.

Ritual use

The purpose of the altar is to help focus thoughts and feelings and to combine conscious effort and the symbolic language of the subconscious into one powerful working entity. When used correctly, altar work is one of the most powerful ways to produce the desired results and help bring about changes.

Note! Indian home altars are made by hand and have been used diligently, j so each of them is its own unique individual. The altars are often dusty, patinated and may have small surface defects, such as cracks and dents. Significant amounts of Sindoor, Turmeric and Kumkuma powders left over. Cleaning with a dry cloth.