Food For the Gods

Friday, June 15th, 2007 Subscribe To Our Feed

Showing respect for the Gods is an essential part of daily life in Kathmandu. Every morning women walk through the streets carrying a plate, usually copper, filled with an assortment of goodies. They are not delivering breakfast. The food, flowers, water and money will be offered to temple idols as part of the morning puja (prayers).

Every morning and evening, thousands of Hindus take time out to offer puja at temples and shrines across the city. Each offering is sprinkled onto the image of the of the deity in a set order and a bell is rung to let the gods know. The ceremony also involves prayers, meditation and ritual washing.

At the end of the ceremony, devotees receive a tilak mark on the forehead and a gift of portion of the blessed food to each member of the household.