INTRODUCTION

Ghanta is the other name for ritual bell used in the Hindu religious places and in the homes of Hindu devotees. The ringing of the bell produces the sound of “OM”. ‘Om’ is an eternal, universal sound, the Brahmanand it denotes the supreme spirit, also called as almighty.

Hindu temples generally have one big metal bell which would be usually hanged at the entrance of the temple, and devotees used to ring the bell while entering the temple, and especially the young children of the devotees used to ring the bell with the help of their parents, in a joyful mood.

Temple Bell also would be found inside the Sanctum of the temple. It is believed that ringing the temple bell would remove the evil spirits from our mind and body and would give peacefulness to our mind, and it is also considered as a form of worshipping the god, and by informing to the almighty about our physical presence.

A bell is also rung by the priests during the performance of Puja or during the performance of ritual Yajnas. And generally in most of the Hindu Houses, Puja bells would be compulsorily used during the performance of the puja. The bell is generally made out of brass Metal item. Nowadays automatic puja bells are available in the shops, and people are finding the automatic puja bells as very useful during the performance of the Pujas.

MANTRA

In Hinduism, the mantra chanted while ringing the bell is:

Aagamaardhamtudevaanaamgamanaardhamturakshasaam, Kurughantaaravamkrutvadevataahvaanalanchanam.

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.

“OM”

WRITTEN BY R.HARISHANKAR