The Bell in Hindu Worship
A bell, or ghanti, is one of the most familiar sounds of Hindu worship, rung both by priests in large temples and by ordinary devotees in a small home altar. It is usually made of bronze or brass and is rung at the beginning of puja, throughout aarti, and again as worship comes to a close.
Even a modest home shrine usually keeps a small hand bell nearby, showing that this is not only a temple practice but a part of everyday devotion in Hindu households.
Where This Practice Comes From
The ringing of a bell during worship is an old and widespread practice described in traditional puja vidhi across regions and sampradayas. Its sound is associated with auspiciousness and is believed to mark the beginning of a sacred act, signalling to those present that worship has begun.
Different temples often use bells with distinct forms, such as one with a small figure of Garuda for a Vishnu temple or of Nandi for a Shiva temple, connecting the bell itself to the deity being worshipped.
The Significance of the Sound
The resonant, continuous tone of a well-made bell is traditionally likened to the sacred syllable Om, considered the primal sound of creation. Ringing the bell is believed to help focus the mind, gently drawing attention away from wandering thoughts and outside noise toward the worship at hand.
It is also said, as per tradition, that the sound helps clear the atmosphere of the space being used for puja, creating a sense of purity and readiness before the deity is invoked.
How Devotees Use the Bell at Home
In a home puja, the bell is usually rung gently with one hand while the other hand may hold a diya or perform aarti, keeping a steady, unhurried rhythm rather than a loud or hurried one.
- Rung briefly at the start of puja, to mark the beginning of worship
- Rung throughout aarti, in rhythm with the movement of the lamp
- Rung once more gently at the close of puja
Many families keep the same small bell for years, passed down and used every single day, making it a quiet, constant companion in the household's devotion.
A Simple Daily Takeaway
The bell's role in worship is a reminder that devotion does not need to be elaborate to be meaningful. A single, sincere ring of a small bell before a home altar carries the same spirit as the grand bells of a temple, that of a devotee turning their attention, however briefly, toward the divine.
Worship is an act of faith and love, not a transaction.
What People Ask Most
Why is a bell rung at the start of puja?+
The bell is rung at the start of puja to mark the beginning of worship, to help focus the mind, and, as per tradition, to create a sense of purity in the space before the deity is invoked.
Is it necessary to have a bell for home puja?+
A bell is a traditional and widely used part of puja, but it is not strictly compulsory; what matters most, as per tradition, is the devotee's sincerity, and puja can be performed meaningfully even without one.
Do different temples use different bells?+
Yes, temples often use bells suited to the deity worshipped there, such as a bell bearing a small figure of Garuda in a Vishnu temple or Nandi in a Shiva temple, connecting the bell's design to the presiding deity.
About the author
Acharya Vinaya Kapoor · M.A. Sanskrit, Mantra & Stotra Studies
Acharya Vinaya holds an M.A. in Sanskrit from Banaras Hindu University and writes the mantra and stotra commentary on Vandnaa. Her focus is on accurate pronunciation, traditional context, and helping modern readers connect with classical texts.
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