Why Our Ancestors Were Right: Hindu Rituals That Heal, Protect, and Awaken

Manika | Jun 17, 2025, 17:30 IST

( Image credit : Freepik, Timeslife )

We often perform Hindu rituals out of habit. Light a diya here, ring a bell there, offer flowers, chant a few mantras. But what if these weren’t just age-old customs?What if they were actually coded wisdom—energy aligners, mind detoxers, and cosmic connection tools that have benefits far beyond what meets the eye?In a world that’s running faster than our breath, these seemingly “simple” rituals offer us something rare: a moment to align body, mind, and soul.Let’s decode 10 Hindu rituals you should never skip—and why their magical impact is more scientific and spiritual than you’ve ever imagined.

1. Lighting a Diya (Oil Lamp)

Diya Lightning

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Why You Shouldn’t Skip: Lighting a diya isn’t just symbolic—it releases negative ions and purifies the air. The flame represents the inner light of awareness that destroys ignorance.
Magical Benefit:

Boosts positivity in the space
Improves focus and mental clarity
Helps balance energies during dusk and dawn

2. Washing Feet Before Entering Home/Temple

Washing Feet before entering Temple

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Why You Shouldn’t Skip: Water cleanses physical and energetic dirt. It’s a reset. In Vastu Shastra, entering with clean feet keeps the space’s energy sacred.

Magical Benefit:

Reduces stress instantly (like hydrotherapy)
Balances the body's electrical energy
Prevents negativity from “entering” your aura

3. Applying Tilak or Kumkum on Forehead

Why You Shouldn’t Skip: The spot between your eyebrows is the Ajna Chakra, or third eye. Applying tilak here stimulates intuition and calms the mind.

Magical Benefit:

Reduces anxiety
Activates spiritual awareness
Shields against negativity (it’s like a psychic sunscreen!)

4. Ringing the Bell Before Prayer

Why You Shouldn’t Skip: The bell’s frequency clears mental distractions and awakens higher consciousness. It is said the sound echoes “OM.”

Magical Benefit:

Clears negative energies in the space
Sharpens concentration for meditation
Connects you to divine vibrations instantly

5. Offering Water to the Sun (Surya Arghya)

Why You Shouldn’t Skip: Practiced during sunrise, offering water to Surya energizes your day. Sunlight filtered through water calms the eyes and strengthens vision.

Magical Benefit:

Improves eyesight and mental clarity
Balances circadian rhythm
Instills a habit of gratitude every morning

6. Walking Around the Tulsi Plant (Parikrama)

Why You Shouldn’t Skip: Tulsi emits oxygen and is considered the queen of herbs. Walking around her purifies your aura and strengthens the heart chakra.

Magical Benefit:

Boosts immunity
Attracts positivity and peace
Heals emotional wounds over time

7. Chanting Mantras (like Om, Gayatri, Hanuman Chalisa)

Chanting Mantra

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Why You Shouldn’t Skip: Mantras aren’t just sounds—they’re vibrational medicine. Repetition aligns the brain with peaceful, high-frequency states.

Magical Benefit:

Improves memory and brain function
Reduces stress and stabilizes mood
Connects you with divine energy instantly

8. Circumambulating the Temple (Pradakshina)

Why You Shouldn’t Skip: Moving clockwise around the deity helps your body sync with the temple’s energy grid—your left side (heart) remains closer to the divine.

Magical Benefit:

Balances your body’s energy channels
Enhances humility and discipline
Activates positive karma through symbolic surrender

9. Burning Incense (Agarbatti or Dhoop)

Incense Burning

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Why You Shouldn’t Skip: The fragrant smoke isn’t just aromatic—it purifies air, detaches mental clutter, and uplifts the environment.

Magical Benefit:

Clears spiritual and emotional blockages
Acts as a natural antidepressant
Increases focus during prayer or work

10. Touching Elders' Feet (Charan Sparsh)

Why You Shouldn’t Skip: When you bow down, your ego lowers. When elders bless, their life force (punya or positive energy) flows into you.

Magical Benefit:

Energizes you with their blessings
Cultivates humility and respect
Reduces karmic baggage through gratitude

Rituals Are Soul Technologies

These rituals aren't outdated—they're timeless technologies of the soul. They’ve lasted thousands of years not because of superstition, but because they work.

In a noisy world of hacks, apps, and algorithms—these sacred acts are your soul’s gentle reminder to pause, align, and rise.

So the next time you light a diya, offer water to the sun, or ring that temple bell—know that something magical is happening. Within you. Around you. And far beyond you.

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