Why do we ring Bell in a Temple?

During your visit to a temple, you must have witnessed the ringing of bells during rituals. We also ring the bell before doing the darshan of the deity. That is why, the bells are placed in the temples hanging from the top, just before the entrance of the garbhagriha (main seat of the deity in a temple). But why is the bell placed in a temple and why do we ring bell in a temple before entering the temple and during aarti?

The answers to that question are given in the old Vedic texts and Shastras. There are spiritual and scientific reasons behind the ringing of bells. Ringing of bells has many health benefits too. That is why not only in Hinduism, but other religions such as Buddhism, Jainism, Christianity also follow the ritual of ringing bells in temples and churches.

The mantra chanted while ringing the bell is: 

aagamaarthamtu devaanaam gamanaarthamtu rakshasaam 

Kurve ghantaaravam tatra devataahvaahna lakshanam 

Meaning: 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.

The mantra and its meaning give us a clear intent of ringing the bell in a temple. 

According to the mantra, the benefits of ringing the bell are:

1. To eliminate negative thoughts from the mind

2. To cleanse the environment

3. To prepare the mind to be receptive

4. To enhance positive healing energy 

5. To invoke concentration and devotion 

6. To evacuate all types of negative and evil souls around

7. To create a very powerful positive aura around

Spiritual Reason: Why do we ring temple bells?

 
• The symbolic significance of the bell:  Bell is the spiritual seat of deities. The curved body of the bell represents Ananta (infinite). The clapper or tongue of the bell signifies Saraswati, the goddess of wisdom and knowledge. The grip denotes Prana Shakti, (vital power) and is linked to Hanuman, Garuda, Nandi, and Sudarshana Chakra.

• Auspicious vibrations: The Hindu scriptures believe that when devotees ring the bells in the temples, their accumulated Karmic burdens & sins are vanished by its vibrations. 

• Bells are believed to be the symbol of Kaal (Death knell-period). According to Dharma Shastras, when the time of devastation would arrive, the sound of millions of ringing bells would be generated. 

• The vibrations of the big bells are resonant of the primitive sound of “OM”, a significantly auspicious & divine sound in Hinduism. Their sounds are often accompanied by the conch and the classical drums which produce positivity.

• When being rung enthusiastically during the Aarti or rituals, its vibrating sound will instantly ward off any negativity in the temple vicinity including that of the devotees.

• The sound of the bells stimulates the consciousness connecting with the divine soul, relieving stress & tension, makes the mind and soul calm, and rejuvenates the human body giving much-awaited peace of mind. 

• The sound of the bell refrains the devotee from outer chaos and helps him turn inside, without which realization is impossible. Thus a bell works as sound therapy. 
 
 

Scientific Reason: Why Temples have bells?

Sanatan or Hindu dharma is a scientific religion. Every object of service through any puja or ritual in Hinduism has a scientific reason and significance. This holds in ringing the sacred bell known as ghanta or ghanti in Sanskrit, used in temples and homes. 

• Bell Works as an air sterlizer: 

When bells ring, a vibration is created in the atmosphere, which spreads too far with the flow of winds. All the bacteria, microbes, and other harmful microscopic insects, germs falling on the path of these vibrations get destroyed and the atmosphere becomes clean and healthy. 

• Health Benefits of ringing a Bell: 

Ringing the bell creates a resonating sound that immediately balances & tones the right and left lobes of the brain & brings clarity in thoughts. Thus we can have full concentration on the devotional purpose.

• Ringing bell activates Chakras: 

In ancient times, Bells in the temple were made of specific metals and alloys such as cadmium, zinc, copper, chromium, and magnesium, brass in a scientifically calculated proportion. As soon as a bell is rung, a loud noise is created, the echo of the bell lasts for a minimum of 7 seconds. The duration of this echo is good enough to activate all 7 healing energy centers (chakras) in the body.

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