by Sonali Chulki

Created on: August 27, 2008

Altar is the pedestal where sacrifices or offerings are made to the idols or deities; these are universal to most of the religions and cultures worldwide. Christianity, Buddhism and Hinduism are the main proponents of altars, offerings and ritualistic worships.

It was the focal point of many religious rituals throughout the ages. In most cultures, the altar has been a natural or man-made elevation used for prayer, sacrifice, and related purposes. The characteristic worship practice in Old Testament times was sacrificial in nature, and consequently the altar became one of the most important ritual objects described in that book of scripture.

Christian altars are raised structures on which a cross and six candlesticks are placed; over which a tabernacle or receptacle is suspended or fixed for the reservation of the Sacrament. In the primitive church the altars seem to have been so placed that, they could be surrounded on all sides by the worshippers. The chair of the bishop or celebrant was on their east side, and the assistant clergy were ranged on each side of him. Altars are used as places of refuge, and frequently places for the solemnization of oaths. In traditional Roman Catholic and Anglican churches, the altar will usually be covered with a richly embroidered cloth, upon which will stand a cross and candlesticks.

Hinduism the most popular religion in the Indian subcontinent has, as a part of its mythology as many as 3.3 billion different deities. Many Hindu households have an altar where they adorn their own ancestral deities. These altars - usually made of wood, marble stone or precious metals, are pedestals where the idol of the deity is placed. Offerings such as flowers, home made sweets, sandalwood, incense, basil leaves, holy water of Ganges, rose water, milk and turmeric are kept beside the deities. These altars are placed strictly facing towards east, the reason being that Rama, the supreme Hindu god, worshiped sun and was a suryavanshi' (heir of Sun dynasty).

Special three tiered altars decorated by the devotees, using sacred flowers, fruits and vegetables, clothes and gold coins are made during Vishu, the astronomical New Year day festival held in the state of Kerala in South India. This day according to the ancient Indian astrology is supposed to be the day when the god of kaal' or time', marks the first day of the zodiac new year, and is an auspicious day to offer oblations to Hindu Gods. The whole altar is adorned with oil-lamps, placed on each

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