A spa called mandir puja

Any puja, singing of hymns, bhajans and shabads, or chanting at altar imparts peace to the harried mind and nerves. Pujas of the devotee are a wonderful mix of modern spa therapies. To start with, we have fragrance and colour therapy. Flowers that are offered to the Divine are mostly highly fragrant with vibrant colours, such as jasmine, harsingar, red Indian rose, champa and marigold. They play out their charm through colours and soothe the soul with their heady fragrances. Dhoop and incense sticks used in all religious places also create a pious environment in your mind, associating it with divinity.

The chanting of mantras or singing of devotional songs to the accompaniment of musical instruments weave a cathartic spell that unburdens a heavy heart. The constant tinkle of bells, the sound of the conch and the musical instruments provide sound therapy that helps focus on the all-powerful reality, the only anchor for the troubled soul.

Candles and diyas are lit in all temples, churches and mosques. Light is believed to have a cleansing effect on our auras and the rotation of the lit aarti thali around the whole body is believed to do just that: light therapy.

Finally, the sprinkling of holy water charged with devotional prayers purifies the mind, whether it is baptism or rituals in temples. The prasad settles as sweetness and subtle peace in the nervous system. These work as hydro therapy and sweet therapy that can elevate the soul.