Our body enshrines incense,
Candlesticks, oblations
And all holy offerings
For your forefathers and the Lord
—Pipa, a contemporary of Kabir, Bhakti saint from India

Fire worship

The worship of fire or Agnihotra is an ancient Vedic practice. In the Vedic pantheon, the highest functions are ascribed to Agni, the god of fire.

The system of Agnihotra essentially involves worshipping the Supreme Power through fire. The Agnihotra system popularized by Trichy-based R. Venkatesan in India, has its own guidelines. He advises that it should be done at sunrise and sunset: "At sunrise, a subtle energy emanates from the sun and produces a flood effect. At sunset, this flood recedes, resulting in a growth of pathogenic bacteria. Agnihotra has a bacterio-static effect on the atmosphere." Venkatesan prescribes surya stuti (mantras worshipping the sun) and agni stuti (mantras worshipping fire) as the appropriate chants during Agnihotra. He also claims that regular practice of Agnihotra can keep you in perpetual good health.

"Fire is the most powerful of all energies," adds Delhi-based Sheeba Loganey, an Indian reiki master and practitioner of the fire ceremony. "When we sit next to the fire, all our chakras open up and get cleansed." The small copper havan kund used in the ceremony is pyramidal in shape. "The smoke creates a pyramid of positive energy," she says, "which envelops the practitioner." The fire ceremony can be conducted any time, in any place and for as long as you wish.