Hindus seek online blessings

Prayers can now take place in cyberspace

By Ayanjit Sen BBC reporter in Delhi

Millions of Hindu gods and goddesses are now online - accessible by just a click of a mouse.

I managed to offer prayers in a temple with the help of a website

Devotee Anasuya Dhanrajgi

With religion going high-tech, devotees in India and abroad are utilising the services of the net rather than standing in a line in a temple to offer prayer rituals.

It avoids having to travel long distances to temples honouring a particular god.

Stage designer Anasuya Dhanrajgir did exactly that when an astrologer predicted bad times for her.

She found a quick solution to her problem.

Instead of travelling a thousand kilometres to a temple dedicated to her deity from her hometown of Pune in western Indian state of Maharashtra, she chose to use the internet.

This is becoming increasingly popular amongst devotees to offer rituals.

"I managed to offer prayers in a temple with the help of a website," Anasuya told the BBC.

She said her prayers with chanting of verses from the ancient Hindu text - the Vedas - and with fire worship.

Temple rituals

Hindu temples in India offer prayer and conduct rituals depending on the needs of the devotee - be it for good health, a job, marital bliss and so on.

Hindu devotees at times travel miles to perform rituals

Temple authorities say more and more people are using internet sites to offer prayer services - mainly to avoid travelling long distances or avoid other inconveniences.

K Ganesan - the founder Prarthana.com - said the company received requests from within the country and also from abroad.

"Our company sends the devotee an e-mail confirming that the prayer service was done and the temple uses a courier to send a parcel with part of the offerings to us, which takes a few days."

Mr Ganesan said there are nearly 300 such websites in India offering prayer service to customers.

Services offered

Some websites charge a nominal fee apart - from the money required for the ceremony.

He said simple prayer ceremonies cost about one US dollar while some involving donations could cost a few hundred US dollars.

Some of these websites also offer to handle all travel arrangements for people who want to visit a far-away temple.

"We are also planning to show people how to organise some prayer service sitting at home," said Mr Ganesan.

There are already a few websites in which a devotee can hear religious hymns and even learn to prepare ritual foods which are common in some of these festivals.