What is the purpose of burning incense in Hindu culture?

Answer 1

Hindus, Buddhists, and Christians all burn incense to symbolize their love for the Divine. The sweet smoke going up is a sort of prayer. Some argue the smell pleases the gods.
Even in day-to-day life, Hindus adhere to many practices which originate in other religions. For instance the practice among Hindus, especially among women, of covering their head while offering prayers is a result of Mohammedan influence and is an adaptation of the Mohammedan practices of wearing Burkha, Chador and observing Purdah. So is the practice of burning incense sticks (Agarbattis and Dhoop) in temples which comes form the (originally Zoroastrian) Muslim practice of burning Loban. In ancient times women in India did not follow the custom of wearing a veil.

Answer 2

Same as it is for every culture that burns incense.

1) Keeps things smelling nice.
2) Ascends to the heavens with whatever you want it to take up there (thoughts, prayers, wishes, dreams, etc.).
3) Provides stress reduction through aromatherapy, thus permitting a fuller interaction with whatever or whomever you're burning that incense for.
4) It's tradition! L'Chaim!

Answer 3

Hindu temple and worship ceremonies and initiations attempted to alter sensory input for the purpose of affecting higher consciousness. Certain sounds, music, and chanting altered consciousness through the hearing sense. Light, flame, images, and mandalas altered consciousness through sight. Selected foods and flavors worked through taste. Oils, lotions, and certain animal skins and fabrics affected consciousness through touch (e.g., leopard in Egypt, and jaguar in Maya). And incense was and continues to be used to alter consciousness through the olfactory nerves, the sense of smell.

It’s important to remember that the objective is not to stimulate the senses into heightened physical awareness but rather to amplify awareness of the ethereal, the infinite, the spiritual by altering the input coming through the five senses.

Answer 4

There are several reasons.
The first and foremost is when Giod is invited he has to be treated like an emperor.
There are sixteen items of worship Presented to him.
they are welcome, offering a seat, washing his feet, offering water to drink, Bathing him, offering clothes, offering make up materials,Offering ornaments, Offering incence for sweet smell,
worshiping him by praise, offering him various types of food,
hand wash, offering betal leaf offering an aarati with camphor,
Fanning him, dance , music for entertainment, and farewell
with entreatmnent to be back on next call.

Answer 5

well! hinduism don't believe on day of judgement, n getting alive after death,but as this concept of life agian after death,as told by God prevails since Adam,so they started burning their dead bodies,n putting ash in water....earlier some used to place it in 7 different places,to avoid it''s regain after death.....as said in Quran, we have created u once without mistake,do u think we will commit mistake in creating u again!
no offense,just told what i knew.

Answer 6

because hindu thinks that god will provide them moksha

Answer 7

its relaxing espesially when you close your eyes and sit down

Answer 8

so that all your bad deeds gets destroyed before meeting god