 | This articleneeds additional citations forverification. Please helpimprove this article byadding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Find sources: "Ghanta" – news ·newspapers ·books ·scholar ·JSTOR(February 2024) (Learn how and when to remove this message) |
 | The examples and perspective in this articlemay not represent afull view of the subject. Pleaseimprove this article and discuss the issue on thetalk page.(March 2025) |
Ghanta (Sanskrit: घण्टा,IAST: ghaṇṭā; Tibetan:drilbu) is theSanskrit term for a ritualbell used inHindu religious practices. The ringing of the bell produces what is regarded as an auspicious sound.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 adarshan. A bell is also rung by thepujari duringpūjā oryajna – during thewaving of light,burning of incense in front of the deity, while bathing the deity, and whileoffering food orflowers.[1] There are bells specially made to produce the long strains of the soundOm.
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 pitchedsound when rung. The top of the bell handle is usually adorned with a brass figure - bells intended for use in the worship ofShiva will have a figure of his bullNandi, while those used in the worship ofVishnu or hisavatars asRama,Narasimha orKrishna will have a figure ofGaruda orPanchajanya shankha orSudarshana Chakra.[1]
In Hinduism, bells are generally hung at the temple dome in front of theGarbhagriha. Generally, devotees ring the bell while entering into the sanctum. It is said that by ringing the bell, the devotee informs thedeity of his/her arrival. The sound of the bell is considered auspicious which welcomesdivinity and dispels evil.[2] The sound of the bell is said to disengagemind from ongoing thoughts thus making the mind more receptive.[3] Bell ringing duringprayer is said to help in controlling the ever wandering mind and focusing on the deity.[1]
In Hinduism, themantra chanted while ringing the bell is[4]
Aagamaardhamtu 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.
From theKundalini Yoga perspective, the sound of a bell energizeschakras 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. InShilpa Shastras it is mentioned that bell should be made ofpanchadhatu – five metals, namely,copper,silver,gold,zinc andiron. These five metals represent thepancha bhoota.[5]
Bells have symbolic meaning in Hinduism. The curved body of the bell representsAnanta. The clapper or tongue of the bell representsSaraswati, who is the goddess of wisdom and knowledge. The handle of the bell representsPrana Shakti – vital power and is symbolically linked toHanuman,Garuda,Nandi (bull) orSudarshana Chakra.[6]
