BEAUTIFUL RITUAL BELLS

Exotic India has more than 150 options for your ritual bells. These are high quality, crafted bells to be used in puja and worship. They come in multiple metals and designs, with a variety and splendor that you can’t find anywhere else.

All of our ritual bells for sale can be purchased through our convenient online shopping experience. With only a few clicks, you can have one of these delivered right to your door.

The ghanta or bell is an integral part of rituals in India. Worship is both begun and ended by sounding a bell. The sound invites in the gods and warns off all unwanted spirits, as well as calling up the power of the mantras to be used in worship.

They are typically made of bronze, with the body of the bell representing Ananta, or the divinity of time. The tongue represents Sarasvati, the goddess of speech. The handle represents prana sakti, the energy of prana. At the top of the handle will usually be an image of Hanuman or Garuda, or other auspicious images.

Our Garuda and Hanuman Handheld Bell fits these needs perfectly. Made out of brass, this option is perfect for your puja. It is handsomely adorned with a statue of both Garuda and Hanuman, with a beautiful sound.

We also have wall hanging bells, like our Haloed Ganesha Temple Bell. This is a stunning work of art in brass. Ganesha’s elephantine head is ringed in a gorgeous halo, while the trunk elegantly swoops down to hold the bell.

We also have an assortment of wall hanging bells. Consider one featuring the Goddess Lakshmi. This is a magnificent and reverent display. At two feet in height, it’s an amazing option for your needs.

Ghanta or bell is an indispensable part of ritualistic worship. No worship can be started or performed without sounding it first. It is said to embody in itself all the musical instruments. The sound of a bell is Pranava or Onkara, perceptible to the ears.

It is generally made of bronze. The body of the bell represents Ananta (the divinity of time) and the tongue, Sarasvati (the goddess of speech). The handle signifies pranasakti or the energy of prana. Usually, the top of the handle is adorned by the images of Hanuman or Garuda or a cakra (discus) or Nandi (the bull-mount of Siva) or a trisula (trident).

When the bell is sounded in puja or worship it is an invitation for the gods to come and a warning for the evil spirits to depart immediately.

The sound of the bell is said to rouse the power of the mantras used in worship. Hence, it is sometimes called ‘mantramata’ (‘mother of mantras’).

The bell is sounded during puja and homa at various stages: avahana (inviting the deity), snana (giving bath to the image or the symbol), dhupa (waving of incense), dipa (waving of a lighted lamp), at the end of chanting of hymns, purnahuti (final offering) and so on.

It is the usual practice to hang a bell or a few bells in a temple, in front of the main shrine. Devotees are expected to ring them as they enter.

FAQs

Q1. What are Dotaku bells?

Dotaku bells originate in Japan and were used between the second century B.C. and the second-century C.E. These were considered the most distinctive objects in that era. Made from sandstone or clay molds, these bells were usually used for decoration purposes during rituals. They were richly decorated with intricate patterns that represented nature and animals. The common animals that would be featured on their surface were dragonfly, spider, and praying mantis. These animals feed on the insects that attack paddy fields. It is believed for this reason that the Japanese people used Dotaku bells to pray for good harvests as well.

Q2. What does a bell represent?

A bell is one of the paraphernalia that is used in temples for deity worship. Large bells cast from bell metal are hung up at a distance before the deities or at the entrance of the temple. Devotees ring the bell while entering inside and its pleasant and sharp sound makes the deities pay attention to them so that they may accept their offerings and sincere prayers. Symbolically the body of the bell represents time, the tongue of the bell represents Goddess Saraswati, and its handle represents Hanuman, Garuda, Nandi or Chakra.

Q3. What are bells used for?

Bells are made from bell metal and are hung up in temples or churches and are associated with religious rites. In Hinduism or Santan Dharma, small bells (held in hands) are used while performing an Aarti or while offering something to the deities. Whereas, large bells are rung by devotees while entering the temple. It is believed that when the bell is rung, the deities pay attention to you and accept your offerings and sincere prayers.