Hindu Samskaras

First Online: December 16,2004
Page Last Updated: September 07,2008

Introduction

Most of the response we receive for Amma's Column weblog dwell into the roots and schools of Hinduism and people ask us numerous questions about Hindu customs, traditions, and "why thing are that way".  Since we cannot respond to each and every question specifically, I requested Dr. Jyotsna Kamat, my mother and our in-house scholar to provide a brief introduction to Hindu traditions in easiest language possible.

It was no easy task, but after a pilgrimage to some of the holiest shrines of Hinduism in the Himalayas, and after studying of mantras, Amma thought that we must start with an insight to the Hindu Sacraments or Samskaras to understand "why things are", and I am pleased to open this new section.

At times, the author has tried to reflect the role of some of the sacraments among Hindus of today, and I have retained those personal opinions. I believe this section makes a valuable addition to Kamat's Potpourri, and I hope it becomes a primary source of reference on the Internet for casual students of Hinduism.

-Vikas Kamat

Table of Contents

• Hindu Sacraments -- An introduction to the traditional Hindu sacraments helps understand many of the rituals of Hinduism in practice today.
• Symbolism of Hindu Samskaras
• Antyeshti - The Last Rites
• The Upanayana Samskar

See Also:

• Weddings in India -- Table of Contents
• The Call of Yama -- Discussion of death in Hinduism; includes answers to frequently asked questions, and proceedings of a Hindu funeral.