Importance of ringing bell in our pooja and also in temples

Importance of ringing bell in our pooja and also in temples

https://ramamohanraocheruku.blogspot.com/2017/03/importance-of-ringing-bell-in-our-pooja.html

At the outset I would like to bring to your notice that our tradition, culture and everything relate to them are set on the right path by our Rishis and Munis. Anything and everything is according to a genuine,

Reasonable and logical thesis and not as a dictum as the Holy Books of other Religions say. Unfortunately we do not evince any interest to go to the grass roots to find out reasons for certain of our rituals. One such ritual is ringing the bell while commencing Puja at Home or ringing the hanging bell in the temple.

Have you ever wondered why bells are there in temples? Also large bells, with higher circumference. These are not just hanging there for you to ring. It is an age old tradition to ring the bell of the temple upon entering its premises. Bell ringing is an ancient Vedic ritual and one can see multiple bells hanging over the domes in many Indian shrines.

There will be another big bell in ancient temples for a specific purpose.

In Tirumala, at the entrance of the front porch of the Lord Venkateswara, we find ‘Ghanta Mandapam’ which consists two bells. In general a temple will have one big bell. But it is not so in Tirumala. There are two such bells. One is called 'Narayana Ghanta' and the other 'Govinda Ghanta'. The reverberation of the bells reach as long as Chandragiri Where the Maharaja starts his lunch only after the sound stops. Each bell is set to ringing according to their timing. A critical and minute observation will enable the enthusiast to find the diminutive difference.
It is told, in Puranas, Lord Brahma, the angels and Maharshis like Sanaka, sanandana wait for the darshan of Lord Venkateswara at the golden gate. Opposite to the golden gate, there is Garuda Mandapam. The pavilion that links the golden gate and the Garuda Mandapam is called ‘Ghanta Mandapam’ or 'Tirumaamani mandapam' where the bells are situated. It was constructed in 1461 A.D. by Mallanna, a native of Chandragiri and minister in the Vijaya Nagara Empire.
The sounding of a bell resonates with a meaning in the Hindu religion, as it is considered a way of seeking God’s attention, within and the external. Also, it is often associated with the echoes of `Creation’.
The Omkaram is considered the source of every sound and scholars say that it was from the very essence of this sound that the Vedas, the foundations of Indian culture and tradition took birth.

It is said that the devotees knock God’s entrance to ask permission upon entering his holy sanctum. Making temple bells is a whole science. The bell is made up of a mixture of five metals – lead, copper, zinc, iron, and tin – to which it is measured based on ratio and specification.

The proportion at which each one of them mixed is the real science behind making a bell. Each of these bells is made to produce such a distinct sound that it can create a harmony between your left and right brains. The moment you ring that bell, it produces sharp but lasting sound vibration which lasts for minimum of seven seconds in echo mode — long enough to touch your seven healing centers (or chakras) in your body.

The moment bell sound happens your brain is emptied of all thoughts. Invariably, you will enter a state of trance where you are very receptive. This trance state is the one with inner awareness. The bell works as antidote to the chaos of your mind. Before you enter a temple it prepares you for the calming taste of spiritual awareness you are going to experience.

Bells had other reasons also, as most of the old temples never had doors and were located near hills and forest there would have been distinct possibilities for animals, Insects, birds to take shelter. But bell sound doesn’t allow any of the living creatures to sustain inside for a long time. Don’t be surprised if you find old temples still brimming with energy inside with less dust, no sign of insects or animals.

Bell worship is called as Ghanta Puja (Ghanta is bell in Sanskrit). The sound that comes out of the sacred bell is called Jaya Dhwani (Sound representing victory). This sound helps to drive away the demonic forces and brings in the auspicious and positive forces. This has a deeper and inner meaning as well. This will drive away the evil thoughts from us. The bell will ring from inside us giving us positive energy.

Cultural Beliefs:

As per the Agama Sastra, ringing a bell in temples will prevent evil spirits. The evil spirits namely Yaksha, Pisacha, Rakshasa and Brahma Rakshasa will not enter the temple.

God is attracted to the sounds of the bell and mostly the bell will ring in the temple during the Harthi for God, bathing of God and offering food.

The bell has symbolic meaning. The body represents Ananta, the tongue represents Goddess Saraswati and the handle represents Hanuman, Garuda and Nandi according to their following, and has prana Shakti (vital principle).

Mantra: In Hinduism, the mantra chanted while ringing the bell is:

Aagamaarthamtu devaanaam

Gamanaarthamtu Rakshasaam

Kurume ghantaaravam tatra

Devataahvaahna laanchanam

Meaning:

I ring this bell indicating the invocation of divinity, so that virtuous and noble forces enter; and the demonic and evil forces, from within and without, depart.

First let us understand that our ancestors are great people, so great that they are beyond your imagination. Even a blind can have a hassle free walk on the path tread by them. Here though it is a little deviation from the subject, people who still believe ‘Aryan Invasion Theory’ for no proof what so ever can think on this ‘BELLS FACTOR’. If for any reason we believe that Aryans came from outside can their siblings, who are still there at the origin, I mean in the west, tell the significance of bells and their make.

First trust your own elders respect them revere them as the culture starts from there. However the DNA theory now proves we are all one and Westerners have nothing to do with us.

Swasti.