# Ghanta > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Ghanta > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Ghanta.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghanta > Source revision: 1344391401 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) {{more citations needed|date=February 2024}} {{broaden|date=March 2025}} {{Short description|Ritual bell used in religious practices}} [[File:Ghanta in Changu Narayan-Changunarayan photowalk-WLV-3852.jpg|thumb|Small and big ghanta in [Changu Narayan Temple](/source/Changu_Narayan_Temple), Nepal]] '''Ghanta''' (Sanskrit: घण्टा, [IAST](/source/IAST): ghaṇṭā; Tibetan: [drilbu](/source/Machig_Labdr%C3%B6n)) is the [Sanskrit](/source/Sanskrit) term for a ritual [bell](/source/bell_(instrument)) used in [Hindu](/source/Hinduism) religious practices. The ringing of the bell produces what is regarded as an auspicious sound. [Hindu temples](/source/Hindu_temples) generally have one metal bell hanging at the entrance and devotees ring the bell while entering the temple which is an essential part in preparation of having a [darshan](/source/Dar%C5%9Bana). A bell is also rung by the [pujari](/source/pujari) during [pūjā](/source/Puja_(Hinduism)) or [yajna](/source/yajna) – during the [waving of light](/source/aarti), [burning of incense](/source/Dhupa) in front of the deity, while bathing the deity, and while [offering food](/source/Naivedya) or [flower](/source/flower)s.{{Cite web|url=https://www.templepurohit.com/why-do-we-ring-bells-or-ghanta-in-hindu-temples/|title=Why Do We Ring Bells or Ghanta in Hindu Temples?|date=12 February 2016|website=TemplePurohit.com|access-date=22 April 2021}} There are bells specially made to produce the long strains of the sound [Om](/source/Om). ==Characteristics== The bell is made out of five to seven precious metals, which are connected to the planets: lead (Saturn), tin (Jupiter), iron (Mars), copper (Venus), mercury (Mercury), silver (the Moon) and gold (the Sun). A clapper is attached to the inside and the bell makes a high pitched [sound](/source/sound) when rung. The top of the bell handle is usually adorned with a brass figure - bells intended for use in the worship of [Shiva](/source/Shiva) will have a figure of his bull [Nandi](/source/Nandi_(Hinduism)), while those used in the worship of [Vishnu](/source/Vishnu) or his [avatars](/source/avatars) as [Rama](/source/Rama), [Narasimha](/source/Narasimha) or [Krishna](/source/Krishna) will have a figure of [Garuda](/source/Garuda) or [Panchajanya](/source/Panchajanya) shankha or [Sudarshana Chakra](/source/Sudarshana_Chakra). ==Usage== In Hinduism, bells are generally hung at the temple dome in front of the ''[Garbhagriha](/source/Garbhagriha)''. Generally, devotees ring the bell while entering into the sanctum. It is said that by ringing the bell, the devotee informs the [deity](/source/deity) of his/her arrival. The sound of the bell is considered auspicious which welcomes [divinity](/source/Brahman) and dispels evil.{{Cite web|url=https://www.hinduscriptures.com/|title=Hindu Scriptures | Vedic lifestyle, Scriptures, Vedas, Upanishads, Smrutis|website=Hinduscriptures.com|access-date=22 April 2021}} The sound of the bell is said to disengage [mind](/source/mind) from ongoing thoughts thus making the mind more receptive.[http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/Peal-of-bells/articleshow/7252714.cms "Peal of bells"]. Timesofindia.com, Retrieved on 4 March 2015 Bell ringing during [prayer](/source/prayer) is said to help in controlling the ever wandering mind and focusing on the deity. ==Mantra== In Hinduism, the ''[mantra](/source/mantra)'' chanted while ringing the bell is[http://sanskritdocuments.org/articles/Hindu_Rituals.pdf "Hindu rituals"]. Sanskjritdocuments.org, Retrieved on 9 March 2015
''Aagamanaardhamtu devaanaam gamanaardhamtu rakshasaam, Kuru ghantaaravam krutva devataahvaana lanchanam'' I ring this bell indicating the invocation of divinity, so that virtuous and noble forces enter; and the demonic and evil forces, from within and without, depart.
==Yogic view== From the [Kundalini Yoga](/source/Kundalini_Yoga) perspective, the sound of a bell energizes [chakra](/source/chakra)s and balances the distribution of energy in body. Also, the number of times the bell should be sounded depends on the number of letters in the mantra; accordingly the bell should be sounded 8, 16, 24, or 32 times. In [Shilpa Shastras](/source/Shilpa_Shastras) it is mentioned that bell should be made of [panchadhatu](/source/panchadhatu) – five metals, namely, [copper](/source/copper), [silver](/source/silver), [gold](/source/gold), [zinc](/source/zinc) and [iron](/source/iron). These five metals represent the ''[pancha bhoota](/source/Pancha_Bhoota)''.[http://www.vishnushivamandir.org.au/index.php/2013-12-15-09-31-18/discourse/76-ringing-the-bell.html "Why to ring the bell while coming to Temple or starting any pooja?"]. Vishnushivamandir.org.au, Retrieved on 9 March 2015 ==Symbolism== Bells have symbolic meaning in Hinduism. The curved body of the bell represents [''Ananta''](/source/Ananta_(infinite)). The clapper or tongue of the bell represents [Saraswati](/source/Saraswati), who is the goddess of wisdom and knowledge. The handle of the bell represents ''[Prana Shakti](/source/Prana_Shakti)'' – vital power and is symbolically linked to [Hanuman](/source/Hanuman), [Garuda](/source/Garuda), [Nandi (bull)](/source/Nandi_(bull)) or [Sudarshana Chakra](/source/Sudarshana_Chakra).[http://www.sanskritimagazine.com/rituals_and_practices/why-do-hindus-ring-the-bell-in-temple/ "Why do Hindus ring the bell in temple"]. Sanskritimagazine.com, Retrieved on 3 March 2015 == Gallery == File:A_temple_bell.JPG|A hanging ghanta in a temple in [Tamil Nadu](/source/Tamil_Nadu) File:Ghanta2.jpg|A South Indian handheld ''nandi ghanta'' or ghanta with [Lord Nandi](/source/Nandi_(bull)) depicted on the handle File:Vajra ghanta from Srivijaya era, Bangkok National Museum.jpg|A Srivijaya handheld ''vajra ghanta'' or ghanta with [Vajra](/source/Vajra) as the handle File:Bhuvanesvar1013.jpg|A [Mandapa](/source/Mandapa) in [Odisha](/source/Odisha) with a [Shikhara](/source/Shikhara) in Ghanta-shaped ==See also== * [Chandraghanta](/source/Chandraghanta) ==References== {{reflist}} ==Further reading== * {{cite book |last=Beck |first=Guy L. |year=1993 |title=Sonic Theology: Hinduism and Sacred Sound |publisher=University of South Carolina Press |isbn=978-1611171082}} * {{cite book |last=Buhnemann |first=Gudrun |year=2007 |title=Puja: A Study in Smarta Ritual |publisher=E. J. Brill }} * {{cite journal |last=Crossley-Holland |first=Peter |year=1976 |title=The Ritual Music of Tibet |journal=The Tibet Journal |volume=1 |issue=3–4 |pages=45–54 |jstor=43299823}} * {{cite book |last=Gonda |first=Jan |year=1975 |title=Mantra Interpretation in the Śrauta and Grhya Sutras |publisher=Brill }} * {{cite book |last=Scheidegger |first=Daniel A. |year=1988 |title=Tibetan Ritual Music: A General Survey with Special Reference to the Mindroling Tradition |publisher=Tibet-Institut |isbn=978-3720600163}} * {{cite book |last=Wayman |first=Alex |year=1971 |title=The Buddhist Tantras: Light on Indo-Tibetan Esotericism |publisher=Routledge }} * {{cite book |last=Wade |first=Bonnie C. |year=1979 |title=Music in India: The Classical Traditions |publisher=Prentice-Hall |isbn=978-0136070283}} Category:Bells (percussion) Category:Bells of Nepal Category:Buddhist ritual implements Category:Objects used in Hindu worship Category:Tibetan Buddhist ritual implements Category:Vajrayana {{bells}} {{Musical instruments of Nepal}} --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Ghanta](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghanta) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghanta?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.