It might seem odd to have a section on the home as a Place of Worship on a website like this. However, this just shows how the borders between different aspects of religion can be blurred. In most, if not all religions, the home is an extremely important place for the traditions and beliefs of the religion to be learnt and carried on from generation to generation. As it is the custom in many Indian and far astern families for generations to live together in the same home, the passing on of belief and ceremony from grandparents to grandchildren and from parents to children is more easily done than with the nuclear families of the UK. The home is more than just a place for eating and sleeping and watching the television, it is also a place where thanks and offerings can be made. It is a place where learning about the religion happens and if this means that artefacts are used it becomes a place also of worship. If you have the opportunity to be invited to a Hindu home, ask to see the Puja shelf, ask what happens there and why this is done.
Puja is the Hindu term for worship or devotions. Because Hinduism believes that puja and ritual is beneficial for individuals and the family it is important for Hindu homes to have a place set aside for puja ritual. In most Hindu homes in England you will find a small shelf made into a shrine. Here there will be images to favourite family goods, a place for putting offerings and other objects used for ceremony. You will find some good images of the home as a place where worship takes place on another part of this website at
