What is darśana?

“seeing” the deity — and, in the Hindu understanding, being seen and blessed by the deity in return.

Darśana literally means “seeing”. When we go to a temple “for darśana”, we go to look upon the mūrti of the deity with devotion. But the tradition understands it as a two-way meeting: the deity also looks upon the devotee. This is why so many mūrtis have large, carefully painted or inlaid eyes, and why the eyes are “opened” in a special rite during consecration.

Darśana is often timed with āratī, when the lamp is waved before the deity and the face and ornaments are lit up. Many temples have fixed darśana times through the day, and some offer special early-morning (maṅgala) or evening (śayana) darśana. Taking darśana of a saint or a holy river is also called darśana.

You do not need to say anything during darśana. Simply look at the deity's face and feet, fold your hands, and let your heart speak. Even a moment of sincere darśana is complete.

Source: Āgama tradition; common practice · Darśana = to see and be seen

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