ghanta
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{{Short description|Ritual bell used in religious practices}}
File:Ghanta in Changu Narayan-Changunarayan photowalk-WLV-3852.jpg, Nepal]]
Ghanta (Sanskrit: घण्टा, IAST: ghaṇṭā; Tibetan: drilbu) is the Sanskrit term for a ritual bell used in Hindu religious practices. The ringing of the bell produces what is regarded as an auspicious sound. Hindu temples generally have one metal bell hanging at the entrance and devotees ring the bell while entering the temple which is an essential part in preparation of having a darshan. A bell is also rung by poojari during Pūjā or Yajna – during the waving of light, burning of incense in front of the deity, while bathing the deity and while offering food or flowers.{{Cite web|url=https://www.templepurohit.com/why-do-we-ring-bells-or-ghanta-in-hindu-temples/|title=Why Do We Ring Bells or Ghanta in Hindu Temples?|date=12 February 2016|website=TemplePurohit.com|access-date=22 April 2021}} There are bells specially made to produce the long strains of the sound Aum.
Characteristics
The bell is made out of five to seven precious metals, which are connected to the planets: lead (Saturn), tin (Jupiter), iron (Mars), copper (Venus), mercury (Mercury), silver (the Moon) and gold (the Sun). A clapper is attached to the inside and the bell makes a high pitched sound when rung. The top of the bell handle is usually adorned with a brass figure - bells intended for use in the worship of Shiva will have a figure of his bull Nandi, while those used in the worship of Vishnu or his avatars as Rama, Narasimha or Krishna will have a figure of Garuda or Panchajanya shankha or Sudarshana Chakra.
Usage
In Hinduism, bells are generally hung at the temple dome in front of the Garbhagriha. Generally, devotees ring the bell while entering into the sanctum. It is said that by ringing the bell, the devotee informs the deity of his/her arrival. The sound of the bell is considered auspicious which welcomes divinity and dispels evil.{{Cite web|url=https://www.hinduscriptures.com/|title=Hindu Scriptures | Vedic lifestyle, Scriptures, Vedas, Upanishads, Smrutis|website=Hinduscriptures.com|access-date=22 April 2021}} The sound of the bell is said to disengage mind from ongoing thoughts thus making the mind more receptive.[http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/Peal-of-bells/articleshow/7252714.cms "Peal of bells"]. Timesofindia.com, Retrieved on 4 March 2015 Bell ringing during prayer is said to help in controlling the ever wandering mind and focusing on the deity.
Mantra
In Hinduism, the mantra chanted while ringing the bell is[http://sanskritdocuments.org/articles/Hindu_Rituals.pdf "Hindu rituals"]. Sanskjritdocuments.org, Retrieved on 9 March 2015
Aagamaardhamtu devaanaam gamanaardhamtu rakshasaam, Kuru ghantaaravam krutva devataahvaana lanchanam
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.
Yogic view
From the Kundalini Yoga perspective, the sound of a bell energizes chakras and balances the distribution of energy in body. Also, the number of times the bell should be sounded depends on the number of letters in the mantra; accordingly the bell should be sounded 8, 16, 24, or 32 times. In Shilpa Shastras it is mentioned that bell should be made of panchadhatu – five metals, namely, copper, silver, gold, zinc and iron. These five metals represent the pancha bhoota.[http://www.vishnushivamandir.org.au/index.php/2013-12-15-09-31-18/discourse/76-ringing-the-bell.html "Why to ring the bell while coming to Temple or starting any pooja?"]. Vishnushivamandir.org.au, Retrieved on 9 March 2015
Symbolism
Bells have symbolic meaning in Hinduism. The curved body of the bell represents Ananta. The clapper or tongue of the bell represents Saraswati, who is the goddess of wisdom and knowledge. The handle of the bell represents Prana Shakti – vital power and is symbolically linked to Hanuman, Garuda, Nandi (bull) or Sudarshana Chakra.[http://www.sanskritimagazine.com/rituals_and_practices/why-do-hindus-ring-the-bell-in-temple/ "Why do Hindus ring the bell in temple"]. Sanskritimagazine.com, Retrieved on 3 March 2015
Gallery
File:A_temple_bell.JPG|A hanging ghanta in a temple in Tamil Nadu
File:Ghanta2.jpg|A South Indian handheld nandi ghanta or ghanta with Lord Nandi depicted on the handle
File:Vajra ghanta from Srivijaya era, Bangkok National Museum.jpg|A Srivijaya handheld vajra ghanta or ghanta with Vajra as the handle
File:Bhuvanesvar1013.jpg|A Mandapa in Odisha with a Shikhara in Ghanta-shaped
See also
References
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Further reading
- {{cite book |last=Beck |first=Guy L. |year=1993 |title=Sonic Theology: Hinduism and Sacred Sound |publisher=University of South Carolina Press |isbn=978-1611171082}}
- {{cite book |last=Buhnemann |first=Gudrun |year=2007 |title=Puja: A Study in Smarta Ritual |publisher=E. J. Brill }}
- {{cite journal |last=Crossley-Holland |first=Peter |year=1976 |title=The Ritual Music of Tibet |journal=The Tibet Journal |volume=1 |issue=3–4 |pages=45–54 |jstor=43299823}}
- {{cite book |last=Gonda |first=Jan |year=1975 |title=Mantra Interpretation in the Śrauta and Grhya Sutras |publisher=Brill }}
- {{cite book |last=Scheidegger |first=Daniel A. |year=1988 |title=Tibetan Ritual Music: A General Survey with Special Reference to the Mindroling Tradition |publisher=Tibet-Institut |isbn=978-3720600163}}
- {{cite book |last=Wayman |first=Alex |year=1971 |title=The Buddhist Tantras: Light on Indo-Tibetan Esotericism |publisher=Routledge }}
- {{cite book |last=Wade |first=Bonnie C. |year=1979 |title=Music in India: The Classical Traditions |publisher=Prentice-Hall |isbn=978-0136070283}}
Category:Buddhist ritual implements
Category:Objects used in Hindu worship
Category:Tibetan Buddhist ritual implements
{{bells}}
{{Musical instruments of Nepal}}