Editing Ritual purification (section)

==Hinduism==
[[File:Ganga Dashara, at Haridwar.jpg|thumb|Devotees taking holy bath during festival of ''Ganga Dashahara'' at [[Har Ki Pauri]], [[Haridwar]]]]
Various traditions within [[Hinduism]] follow different standards of ritual purity and purification. Within each tradition the more orthodox groups follow stricter rules, but the strictest rules are generally prescribed for [[Brahmin]]s, especially those engaged in the temple worship.

An important part of ritual purification in Hinduism is the bathing of the entire body, particularly in rivers considered holy such as the [[Ganges]]. It is considered auspicious to perform this method of purification before festivals after a death, in order to maintain purity.

Punyahavachanam is a ritual meant to purify one's self and one's home, usually performed before important occasions, like weddings. During the ceremony, mantras are chanted and then consecrated water is sprinkled over all of the participants and the items used.

In the ritual known as ''[[abhisheka]]'' (Sanskrit, "sprinkling; ablution"), the deity's [[murti]] or image is ritually bathed with water, curd, milk, honey, ghee, cane sugar, rosewater, etc. Abhisheka is also a special form of [[Puja (Hinduism)|puja]] prescribed by [[Āgama (Hinduism)|Agamic]] injunction. The act is also performed in the inauguration of religious and political monarchs and for other special blessings. The murtis of deities must not be touched without cleansing the hands, and one is not supposed to enter a temple without a bath.{{cn|date=October 2023}}

''Sūtaka'' are the [[Hindu]] rules of impurity to be followed after the birth of a child (''vṛddhi sūtaka'').<ref>{{Cite book |last=Turner |first=R. L. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UX_AeDYzhBQC&dq=S%C5%ABtaka&pg=PA781 |title=A Comparative Dictionary of the Indo-Aryan Languages |date=1999 |publisher=Motilal Banarsidass Publisher |isbn=978-81-208-1665-7 |pages=781 |language=en}}</ref> Sūtaka involves the practice of keeping socially isolated from relatives and community by abstention of mealtaking with family, engaging in customary religious activities, and leaving the home. A mother must practice sūtaka for 10 to 30 days, depending upon her [[Varna (Hinduism)|varna]], while the father may become purified immediately after the birth of his child by ritual purification (ritual bathing).<ref>Textbook of the 'University of Spirituality', Volume 61, ''Death and Post-Death Rites'', by Parātpar Guru (Dr) Athavale and H.H. (Mrs.) Anjali http://sanatanshop.com/shop/en/booklets/383-death-and-post-death-rites.html</ref>

There are various kinds of purificatory rituals associated with [[Antyesti|death ceremonies]]. After visiting a house where a death has recently occurred, Hindus are expected to take baths.

Women take a head bath after completing their four-day [[Menstrual taboo|menstrual period]].