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Ritual/ Ceremony
A ceremony is a series of formal acts that take place on
a ritual occasion.
The Sacred Thread ceremony
This ceremony is performed for teenage boys who
belong to the first three groups in the Hindu caste
system. It is an important moment for a young Hindu.
It marks his entry into the student stage of life, a time
when he must study hard and become self-disciplined.
The Sacred Thread ceremony takes place in the
family home. The house is decorated with flowers and
candles for the occasion. During the ceremony, the
boy and a priest sit facing each other across a small
fire. Prayers and mantras are chanted. The priest places
a sacred cord over the boy’s left shoulder. This is a
symbol of his ‘spiritual birth’ as an adult member of the
faith. It gives him the right to perform puja, or family
worship, three times a day.
The boy has new responsibilities to:
Birth
 worship God.
When a baby is born in a Hindu family, a prayer is
whispered into its ear by a member of the family. It is
a prayer of thanksgiving to welcome the child into the
world. Soon afterwards, the baby’s hair is cut and a
symbolic mark is painted on its forehead. The father
takes a gold pen, dips it in honey and writes the sacred
word ‘Aum’ on the baby’s tongue. This symbolises the
hope that the child will grow up to speak the truth.
 respect holy men and sacred texts.
On the twelfth day the naming ceremony takes place.
The child is named in the presence of the Brahmin
priest and members of the family. A piece of gold is
given to the child, and red threads are lightly tied to
him/her as a sign of protection. The priest makes a
record of the child’s name on behalf of the family.
 honour his parents and older people.
 help people in need.
 care for animals and all living things.
Over the coming years the boy will mature and
develop in preparation for the next stage in life as a
Hindu. This will be ‘the householder stage’, when he
can get married and support a family of his own.
A gathering of an
extended Hindu family.
Section C: Foundations of Religion - Hinduism
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5
Marriage
Death
Many Hindu marriages are arranged between families.
Parents introduce their sons and daughters to suitable
partners. If the young couple are not happy with the
parents’ choice, they can wait until a more suitable
partner is found. Some Hindus choose their own
marriage partner, however they try to ensure that
parents are happy with the decision too.
When a Hindu dies, the body is washed and anointed
with oil. The feet are painted red and the body is
wrapped in a cloth. Hindus cremate their dead, they
do not bury them. Hindus believe that the cremation
fire releases the soul (atman) of the person who has
died. The eldest son leads the procession of mourners.
The body is carried on a stretcher to the funeral pyre,
which is often built in an open space. Offerings are
made and the son sets the pyre alight. A priest may be
present to recite mantras and prayers for the release of
the soul of the dead.
Later, the ashes are gathered up, and after three days
are scattered into a nearby river. Sometimes the family
will save the ashes and bring them to the river Ganges,
when they go there on pilgrimage. Hindus believe the
waters in the sacred river can help the soul achieve
moksha, or union, with Brahman.
Questions
1. What is:
a. a ritual?
b. a rite of passage?
2. What are the main ‘rites of passage’ for Hindus?
3. Select an important moment in the life of
a Hindu.
a. What special actions or gestures mark the
occasion?
b. What special words are spoken?
c. What special clothes are worn?
4. What deep important things are expressed
through Hindu rituals on ONE of the following
occasions?
A Hindu couple on their wedding day.
The wedding may take place in the bride’s home, or in
a temple. She wears a red sari, beautiful jewellery, and
has designs painted on her hands and feet. The groom
is also dressed in ceremonial clothing.
In Hinduism, marriage is a sacred ritual. The young
couple exchange garlands of flowers and sit before
the priest at a sacred fire. They are linked by tying the
bride’s sari to the groom’s scarf. There is an offering
of incense, and a fire offering where grains of rice are
sprinkled over the flames. The priest chants mantras
and prayers asking the gods for their blessing. The
priest then leads the couple in seven steps around the
fire. A prayer is said at each step asking for the gifts of
a good marriage. The couple pray that they may live
to see a hundred autumns together. The ceremony is
followed by the exchange of gifts and a festive meal for
family and friends.
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a. Birth.
b. Sacred thread ceremony.
c. Marriage.
d. Death.
5. Describe how people celebrate an important
moment like birth, coming of age in the faith,
marriage, or death in the Hindu community.
© Alpha Press Ltd.
Section C: Foundations of Religion - Hinduism