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.
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.
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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. Normally, you are so occupied in mind that the only way to awaken you is with a shock!
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 Dwani (Victorious Sound). 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, Paisasa, Rakshasa and Brahmarakshasa 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 aarthi for God, bathing of God and offering food.
The bell has symbolic meaning. The body represents Ananta, the tongue represents Goddess Saraswathi, the handle represents Hanuman, Garuda, Nandi and has prana shakti (vital principle).
Mantra
In Hinduism, the mantra chanted while ringing the bell is:
aagamaarthamtu devaanaam
gamanaarthamtu rakshasaam
Kurve ghantaaravam tatra
devataahvaahna lakshanam
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.
REVEALING THE TRUTH.
Every Hindu Devotee should know the truth behind
the Bells in Hindu Temples.
It’s absolutely nice helpful information about the why we have a bell in the temple.I personally recommend all Hindus read this article and register to india divine website.
I can only pay my gratitude by saying thankyou
Good article. Thanks.
The science behind the usage of bells,cymbals and drum during aarthi is very deep. It is not a mere light and sound exhibition but the very essence of a combination of NADA & BINDU which compels a devotee to experience the divinity in a totally different dimension .
VERY INFORMATIVE
very interesting and enlightening.
It was a pleasure to read about the bell and what is the significance of the bell.
Thankyou
Kumi
Equally charming are the Tibetan Bells (available inDehra Dun and otherplaces in India too ). These bells are used for “conectrating the mind” inpreparation for deep meditation — they have a “long reverberation time” — that is, the ring takes a long time to fade away. The “ringing” is done by “pressing hard and moving” a piece of “baton” around the rim of the bell.
One disciple rings it and the other has to concentrate. They alternate their roles — in this concentration practice.
These informations are very vital and must be shared by all. Hinduism is no doubt a way of life where the God is worshipped in form of nature and the physical and spiritual balance is maintained for healthy environment. The time repeats itself and the time is approaching when the people will be serously dedicated to save the natural habitat for all human beings. The development is a necessary event in todays life but the destruction or devastation is a byproduct of all our chains of development. All begin with D ( Dev, Daanav, development, destruction / devastation ) .Without knowing the reality or true process of a natural phenomenon it is unfair to condemn nature or God who is always nurturing us continuously teaching the lesson to maintain the healthy releationship with the nature. The curent system of education has misled the common youth and ourselves too just having a focus to hoard money and assets for our future .Just think if the nature hoards and centralises everything , will the living beings be able to survive ? We have discovered the facts not invented anything .It is only lebelling that has marked as inventions .Therefore true happiness lies in living with the nature and preserving it rather destroyling for our development and creating thesis and journals .This is plagiarism as nature has already developped everything and given the power to everymankind to conceive and do after preanalysis . We have become self centered and regularly focusing for the welfares of our family only. If we think there is inside , there is outside also. We must care for both .
Really informative. The only problem is the transition of knowledge like this between elders and the next generation did not happen properly . So most of us are searching for answers in Hinduism.
Thanks.
Really informative.
Very informative. It will help our next generation to understand our Hindu culture and its meanings.
Years back an elderly gentleman advised me to ring the bell which he found in my house. He said that ringing the bell during daily Puja time will drive away any evil spirit inside the house. I have been doing this for decades now and I am happy and contented. All hindus should do the same. Just ring the bell a few times and then do the namashkar of your deity in the house
Wonderfully explained! Ringing the bell at my home gives me the same experience..
Wish everyone could read this article .I go temple ,ring the bell without knowing the meaning behind that.It is worth sharing with others.Great information. Thank you.
True.well. it will give energe to our next generatios.
Very good indeed! Sometimes I think the people of India are really unfortunate as we are deprived from all these knowledge. Though we are rich in everything yet so poor in our own culture and resources.Where can I get a bell with correct combination?
For the first time I came to know why bells r their in temples.Thanks
very informative.