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Baobobtree
07 September 2007, 05:58 PM
Namaste all.


Lately I've been working on constructing an altar for my house, and I was wondering if anyone else here had an altar in their home, that they might like to share pictures of or just describe to us in words. Like I said, my current altar still has some final touches I need to add to it, but I do have some pictures here of my old one-
http://img184.imageshack.us/img184/5531/altar1vb2.jpg

http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/6966/kaliclose1zr2.jpg

http://img184.imageshack.us/img184/8898/ganeshaclosekj0.jpg

http://img184.imageshack.us/img184/4850/hoteiclosewc8.jpg

http://img519.imageshack.us/img519/7231/kartiekyacloseyj8.jpg

Agnideva
08 September 2007, 08:57 AM
Namaste Baobobtree,


Lately I've been working on constructing an altar for my house, and I was wondering if anyone else here had an altar in their home, that they might like to share pictures of or just describe to us in words. Like I said, my current altar still has some final touches I need to add to it, but I do have some pictures here of my old one-
I would think most practicing Hindus do have home altars. Thanks for sharing your pictures. I had a picture of my home altar, but I can't seem to locate it now. Anyway, my home altar is very simple. I have a big picture of Shiva-Shakti (http://www.aghori.it/images/ShivaParvati.JPG), a smaller picture of Ardhanarishvara (http://www.greatdreams.com/shivat%7E1.gif), a marble Shiva Lingam, and metal murtis of Ganesha, Kartikeya and Hanuman. I also have some pictures of the gurus who teachings I follow next to my altar. I have two traditional oil lamps with cotton wicks, in addition to candles.

OM Shanti,
A.

Eastern Mind
08 September 2007, 02:32 PM
Yes, most Hindus have an altar spot or room. I cannot recall ever being in a fellow Hindus house without seeing an altar of some kind. (Not that I went around sneakily looking for one) At the house I currently dwell in the altar has a Nataraja, and Sivalingam at the centerpiece with Murugan, and Ganesha. There are also various pictures, puja accessories, and texts. I don't use it as much as I should. Aun Namashivaya

devisarada
12 September 2007, 11:02 AM
Namaste,

Here is a picture of my altar at home. I have soji screens around to protect it when it's not in use. There is also a small stereo so that I can play chants, bhajans, guided medtiations, etc.

I built the elevated areas by using boards supported by cardboard boxes, and then covering them with gold foil.

I hope this is helpful.


http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc146/Devisarada/Picture030.jpg

Nachiketa
12 September 2007, 02:43 PM
Namaste,
I have a question,
Is it true that with a Shiva Linga at home one should always have a lamp lighted(24 hrs a day)?

Thanks and pranams

Agnideva
12 September 2007, 03:03 PM
Namaste Nachiketa,

I have a question,
Is it true that with a Shiva Linga at home one should always have a lamp lighted(24 hrs a day)?
As far as I know there is no such requirement for homes.

OM Shanti,
A.

Eastern Mind
12 September 2007, 04:30 PM
The keeping of a lamp lit is in my opinion, not necessary but if you want to try, purchase the hanging oil kind from an Indian store. I tried that for awhile but it was tedious, and hard to keep going. I think at best it would last 12 to 16 hours. You have to add oil regularly, and whenever things aren't regular (overnight trips etc.) well shucks there goes that plan. Aum Namashivaya

Nachiketa
12 September 2007, 05:07 PM
Namaste Nachiketa,

As far as I know there is no such requirement for homes.

OM Shanti,
A.

Thanks Agnideva and EM....good to know. For some reason this belief that we should worship Shiva only through a Lingam runs in my family. And I never kept one since I heard (never from authoritative sources) that it is necessary to always keep a lamp burning. Guess I did not want to mess around with "THE ONE"
Hari OM

Eastern Mind
12 September 2007, 08:52 PM
nachiketa: Somehow that struck me as quite funny...messing around with 'the one' ... I'm sure He's quite used to everything and all possibilities for it is ALL his dance. Aum Namashivaya

Nachiketa
12 September 2007, 09:31 PM
It was a typo, I meant to insert this similie :p

sm78
13 September 2007, 02:52 AM
Here is a pic of mine. ...

sm78
13 September 2007, 09:36 AM
Thanks Agnideva and EM....good to know. For some reason this belief that we should worship Shiva only through a Lingam runs in my family. And I never kept one since I heard (never from authoritative sources) that it is necessary to always keep a lamp burning. Guess I did not want to mess around with "THE ONE"
Hari OM

Shiva is the least "demanding" among gods and easiest to please. He is quite happy as it is. So what you say, is not quite true. However special rituals needs to be performed if u have VanaLinga from Narmada valley, whose worship differ from normal shiva linga archanam. Since these are bnaturally formed lingas, they are believed to have special potency and don't need prana-prathistha as with prasthar lingam.

Shaligram-Shila (the mark of Vishnu) needs rigorous worship in suddhachra and should not be kept without worship. Same goes for all Sri-Yantra or Sri-Meru where requirements are even loftier.

But I am pretty sure, "THE ONE" is pretty safe to keep in one's alter which does not have a rigorous nittya puja done daily. :D

Nachiketa
13 September 2007, 12:50 PM
Shiva is the least "demanding" among gods and easiest to please. He is quite happy as it is. So what you say, is not quite true. However special rituals needs to be performed if u have VanaLinga from Narmada valley, whose worship differ from normal shiva linga archanam. Since these are bnaturally formed lingas, they are believed to have special potency and don't need prana-prathistha as with prasthar lingam.

Shaligram-Shila (the mark of Vishnu) needs rigorous worship in suddhachra and should not be kept without worship. Same goes for all Sri-Yantra or Sri-Meru where requirements are even loftier.

But I am pretty sure, "THE ONE" is pretty safe to keep in one's alter which does not have a rigorous nittya puja done daily. :D

Namaste Sm78,
thanks
I see the Sri Chakra in your altar. So what does your worship involve? Hope I am not being too inquisitive !

Agnideva
13 September 2007, 04:08 PM
Namaste Singhi,


Here is a pic of mine. ...

What is the difference between keeping a Sri-Chakra picture and a 3D Sri-Chakra Meru Yantra? Just curious to know.

OM Shanti,
A.

sm78
14 September 2007, 12:53 AM
Namaste AG & Nachiketa.

A sri Meru can be kept only by a person who has had initiation into panchadasi or higher vidyas and is allowed and trained to perform navavarana puja to the meru.

I am not such a person, however the I received the meru from Devipuram and it reached me in quite extraordinary circumstances. I asked for advice from a Guru of an Orthodox lineage, and he instructed me to keep it even if I cannot do Navaavarana Puja.

Sri-Meru is supposed to be more powerful than a 2D yantra picture. I am sure visualizations on a Meru will be easier than a yantra picture during puja.