RITUALS ARE AN IMPORTANT AND UNIQUE PART OF HINDUISM. THEY PLAYED AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN THE CONTINUITY OF HINDUISM, AND STILL CONSTITUTE ITS VISIBLE AND POPULAR ASPECT. THE RITUALS OF HINDUISM ARE COLLECTIVELY KNOWN AS KARMAKANDA. THEY FORM PART OF THE SACRED DUTIES (DHARMA) OF HINDU HOUSEHOLDERS, AND THE HINDU WAY OF LIFE. INCLUDED IN THEM ARE FIRE SACRIFICES (YAJNAS AND HOMAS), DOMESTIC WORSHIP WITH PRAYERS AND OFFERINGS (PUJA, BHAJANA, HARATHI, ETC.), PENANCES (VRATAS), PURIFICATION CEREMONIES, TEMPLE RITUALS (ARCHANA, SEVA, UTSAVA), AND SACRAMENTS (SAMSKARAS). HINDU RITUALS ARE MEANT TO NOURISH THE GODS AND ESTABLISH A DIRECT AND PERSONAL CONNECTION WITH CHOSEN DEITIES MAINLY FOR THE FULFILLMENT OF DESIRES OR PROTECTION AGAIN INIMICAL FORCES
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