Helping younger Hindus understand the traditions they grew up with

Many young Hindus grow up seeing flowers offered at a shrine, leaves used in rituals or certain foods prepared for prayer. Yet knowing what those items are called, and why they matter, is another question altogether.

A new four-volume collection hopes to bridge that gap by documenting the objects, plants, foods and practices that have long formed part of Hindu worship and household traditions.

Published in Tamil, English and Sanskrit, “Sri Shaankari Parampara – A Sacred Legacy for the Next Generation” brings together information on pooja items, leaves, flowers, herbs, spices, traditional foods and rituals used in homes and temples.

The collection was authored by Sri Shankara Vijayendra Saraswathi Swamigal, the 70th Jagadguru Shankaracharya, or spiritual head, of Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham in Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu.

Sri Muthumariamman Thirukoil Devasthanam trustee Gunaseelan Palanivello said the books were intended not simply as religious texts, but as practical references for people who may recognise the traditions around them without fully understanding their significance.

“These are a valuable guide for Generation Z and for many of us who come across these items but may not know their names or purpose,” he said at a media preview at the Royal Lake Club recently.

The collection also traces the spiritual lineage and teachings of eighth-century philosopher and monk Sri Adi Shankara, while explaining the role of traditional practices in worship and daily life.

It includes scientific names for plants and ingredients, alongside references to traditional health benefits and concepts associated with ayurveda and the doshas.

“The books are a beautifully illustrated Vedic encyclopedia documenting sacred Hindu traditions to help readers identify familiar worship items and understand their purpose.

“Through beautiful colour photographs on glossy pages, this collection helps us recognise the various items and practices and better understand their significance,” Gunaseelan said.

Copies of the collection, officially launched on Oct 30, will be distributed to Hindu organisations, temples and Tamil schools, where they can be used by students, teachers and the wider community.

Among the subjects covered in the books are 97 forms of traditional “neivedyam” – food or other offerings made to a Hindu deity – and “prasadam”, the consecrated food later received by devotees as a blessing.

Gunaseelan said these sections are intended to connect practices familiar from temples and family prayer with the broader traditions of “sanatana dharma”.

“These introduce readers to the rich botanical knowledge embedded in our traditions and the way plants have been valued in traditional approaches to health and well-being,” he added.

For him, the books are especially useful because younger generations may have access to more information than ever before, yet still lack the ability to start looking for it.

“Our children can scroll the internet for almost anything, but they cannot search for knowledge they do not know exists. This encyclopaedia gives them the vocabulary, images and understanding of our own heritage.”

He stressed that while the internet can deepen that knowledge, a physical reference offers families a starting point to which they could return together – “a lasting resource to hold, explore and share as a family”.

Gunaseelan also noted that older members of the community have an important role to play in ensuring such knowledge is not lost between generations.

“As parents, guardians, teachers and leaders, we have a shared duty to pass our heritage to the next generation with care and urgency. Let us give our children both roots to cherish and knowledge to carry forward,” he said.

To get your copy of the books, contact Gunaseelan at 011-1132 5978.

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