In Hinduism

Ganapatya (worship of Ganesha)

Source: Google Books: Ganapati: Song of the Self

Gandhodakasnāna (गन्धोदकस्नान) or “bath of water with sandalwood paste” refers to a type of ceremonial bath (snāna), representing one of the sixteen Ṣoḍaśopacāra, which are preliminary rites (upacāra) of a pūjā (deity worship).—Of the various types of pūjās, the one with sixteen (ṣoḍaśa) items or offerings (upacāra) is very common. This type of ritual consists of preliminary acts [viz gandhodakasnāna] including rites for the purification of the devotee and the implements used in the pūjā, removal of obstacles and declaration (saṃkalpa) to perform the worship.

context information

Ganapatya (गाणपत्य, gāṇapatya) represents a tradition of Hinduism where Ganesha is revered and worshipped as the prime deity (ishta-devata). Being a minor though influential movement, Ganapatya evovled, llike Shaktism and Shaivism, as a separate movement leaving behind a large body of literature.

General definition (in Hinduism)

Source: ACHC: Smarta Puja

Gandhodakasnāna (गन्धोदकस्नान) refers to a “ceremonial bath with yoghurt” representing one of the five types of snāna or snānīya, which is one of the various services (upacāra) of a pūjā (ritualistic worship of a deity) which aim at the purification of the devotee.—After the baths with the five nectars a sixth bath with water is offered to which fresh sandalwood paste has been added. The mantra employed here comes from the famous Srīsūkta (Ṛgveda-Khila 5.87.9). As it begins with the word gandha (odor) it came to be used for gandha (sandalwood paste). This mantra occurs in different contexts as the special mantra of the goddess Srī, in connection with the adding of cow dung (gomaya) to the mixture of the five cow products, and as the fifth mantra to be used in the performer’s bath with clay (mṛtika-snāna). Afterwards the icon is bathed with pure (often hot) water while the mantras apo hi ṣṭha... (Ṛgveda 10.9.1-3) belonging to a hymn to the waters are recited. These verses are employed whenever water is sprinkled in rituals, e.g. during the marjana rite of the sandhya.

See also (Relevant definitions)

Partial matches: Snana, Gandhodaka.

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