The Implication Of Bells In Hindu Temples

The Implication of Bells in Hindu Temples

In Hindu Religion & Indian Culture, bells we can witness at the temple dome, which is located right in front of the temple Garbhagriha. There is a prevailing myth that our mind can only get enlightened with a shock. We all have noticed the existence of bells in Hindu temples. Many believed that the sound of these bells opens up our mind and fills it up with a sense of divinity.

Bell is a musical instrument that is called “Ghantee” as per Sanskrit. In general, such bells are crafted out of varied materials. The common among them includes brass, copper, cadmium, etc. All these materials are used in equal proportion to make these bells.

 Do you know a temple is the spiritual seat of the Gods and Goddess?

The curved section of mandir or temple bell represents Ananta. The bell tongue represents Goddess Saraswati the bell hand represents Prana Shakti. It symbolizes Hanuman, Garuda, Nandi, and also Sudarshana Chakra.

About The Design Of The Bell:

The design of a bell is quite interesting. It has a hollow interior where a tang remains hung inside the bell. Everyone needs to strike the tang against the inner wall to produce the sound. Another interesting feature of these bells is that different types of bells produce different sounds. The variation in sound in bells depends on the shape, size, proportion, and types of materials used to prepare the bells.
It is common to notice that bells are found hanged at the entrance of the temple. Well, these bells are hanged from the dome in every Hindu temple. We can divide the bells into the following categories.
  • Hanging bells- These bells are available in various sizes and designs. But most of these hanging bells range between medium to large sizes. These bells are big in size and weighty and can create long-lasting canticle.
  • Small bells- These bells we can find in all Hindu houses. It is used at the time of offering prayers at home. These bells are small in size, and you can also hold and use it during puja at home.

Let’s check the implication of Bells in Hinduism and Indian Culture 

As per Hindu culture, we believe that striking bells is to seek permission from God to enter into the temple, but it is a myth.
  • As per the Agama Shastra, the ringing of bells helps in staying evil forces away. The sound of the bells seems pleasant to the Gods. There is a belief that the sound of bells keeps evil forces like Paisasa, Yaksha, Rakshasa, and Brahmarakshasa away from your home.
  • There is another myth that the sound of the bells wakes up Gods from sleep. But, the fact is that God never sleeps, and it is a false belief, and such a concept should never get promoted.
  • Again, many believe that bells sound used to let God know the arrival of pilgrims. But, this is not true at all. Hindu Shastra says Gods stay aware of his devotees, and no one needs to inform God about the arrival of the pilgrims at the temple.
  • The ringing of a bell at the time of offering prayers is a Vedic ritual. When the crafted bells make a sound, it produces an “Om” vibration. Well, it makes a connection between the humans with the supreme deity.
Bells or Ghanta are integral part of Hindu temple and connects us with god in a divine way.