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Hinduism in Malaysian
Large Scale Migration of Indians during 2nd
half of the 19th Century
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Marriage
The marriage ceremony takes place at the bride’s home, or the
hall hired by the bride’s parents.
The marriage day and time, are fixed by the priest by
referring to the religious calendar.
A great amount of preparation takes place before the
wedding.
At the time of the ceremony, Lord Ganesha is worshiped.
The marriage ceremony is performed by the priest in the
presence of the relations of both the bride and bridegroom.
The parents of the bride welcome him as they would welcome
God, by washing his feet and
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giving him the best of everything.
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Rites and Rituals…
• When the bride is given away by both the mother and father,
the genealogy of the bride and bridegroom is recited.
• The sacred fire, agni, the witness of the ceremony, is then lit
and many fine offerings are made while reciting mantras from
the Vedas.
• A white cord is attached to the shoulders of the couple and
seven steps (saptapadz) are taken around the fire. Each step
has a meaning – ‘one step for food, two for strength, three for
increasing wealth, four for good fortune, five for children, six
for the seasons, and seven for everlasting friendship.
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Rites and Rituals…
• At the end of each complete round the bride is told to touch
a stone (pashana) and remain stable like the stone, that is
renouncing the attachment of her own parents and family and,
instead, loving the bridegroom’s family.
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Rites and Rituals…
Funerals
Antyesti, the last rite, is a funeral oblation.
The eldest son, or nearest male relative, lights the funeral pyre.
Outside India he may just stand by the coffin and see it pass
into the furnace.
Verses from the Bhagavad-Gita are chanted. Hindus believe that
‘as a man leaves his old clothes and puts on new ones, so the soul
leaves his body and moves to a new one.’
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Rites and Rituals…
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Worship and Prayers
• According to ancient Hindu philosophy, knowledge is fruitless,
good deeds vain, and true happiness impossible without proper
ritual observance.
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Worship and Prayers…
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Worship and Prayers…
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Worship and Prayers…
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Worship and Prayers…
• Devotional Ritual. There are countless forms of devotional
service. Ideally, a Hindu should make five offerings daily
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Worship and Prayers…
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Worship and Prayers…
• As an act of homage, worshipers circumambulate the image and then
offer a gift, generally consisting of rice, grain, ghee (melted butter),
spices, incense, and aromatic vapors. Next, a lighted lamp is waved
before the deity as mantras are chanted. Then follows supplication for
personal requests. Finally, the deity is dismissed, and the ceremonies
close with the chanting of appropriate mantras.
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Worship and Prayers…
Pilgrimages