arati: A lighted lamp used in home or temple to worship God.§
aum: A sacred sound we chant. It is made of all sounds put together.§
bhajana: Fun songs that we sing to God.§
chariot: A big rolling cart with four wheels used during festivals. It carries God's temple image.§
chaturthi: Fourth day after the day of a new or full moon.§
deva: A being of light, a soul who lives in the heaven world.§
dharma: God Siva's loving law.§
experience: Something that happens to you. Anything that you see or do.§
festival: Special days to worship God. A happy time when the family worships God together.§
Ganesha: The God with an elephant's head. He is worshiped first.§
God: Siva, Creator of the Universe.§
Gods: Great beings created by God Siva.§
guru: A teacher.§
holy: Something very pure and special.§
karma: The law of action and reaction.§
kavadi: A decorated curved wood frame.§
lord: A name for God.§
monk: A man who does not marry. A monk serves God. He helps people and practices yoga.§
Murugan: A great God. He was created by Lord Siva.§
Namah Sivaya: “Praise to Siva” in Sanskrit language. It is our most favorite and powerful prayer.§
namaskara: The Hindu greeting of seeing God in others.§
Nandi: A big and joyous white bull. Siva rides on Nandi.§
om: Same as “Aum.” The big sound of the universe.§
personally: To know or do something yourself.§
pray: Talking to God.§
puja: A way to worship God.§
rishi: A great holy man.§
sage: A very wise person.§
saint: A holy person.§
Sambandar: The child saint from Tamil Nadu who composed songs to Siva.§
samskara: A temple or home ceremony. It blesses us at important times in our life.§
saranam: “Give me protection” in Sanskrit.§
satguru: A very great religious teacher.§
scripture: A holy book to guide our life.§
Siva: The name of the Supreme God. It means “the Kindly One”.§
soul: Our body of light. Our soul lives inside our physical body.§
supreme: The highest or best.§
Tai Pongal: The rice harvest festival. It happens in January-February.§
tambura: A simple 4-stringed musical instrument.§
temple: The home of God. It is where we worship.§
traditional: Done or used by people for a long, long time.§
vanakkam: A word of greeting in Tamil. It means to have reverence for another.§
Vel: Lord Murugan's spear. It is His power of goodness.§
vina: Musical instrument with seven strings and a mystical sound.§
wise: To have helpful knowledge like older people do.§
worship: To show our love for God.§
yoga: Spiritual practices to bring us very close to God.§
yogi: Someone who is trying to know God.§