ritual
English meaning: Ritual
English Definition
(English)Rituals are stylised, repeated, symbolic actions that carry meaning beyond their literal performance. Anthropologists (Durkheim, Turner) see rituals as central to social cohesion — they create collective effervescence, reinforce shared values, and mark life transitions (rites of passage). India's religious rituals — from daily puja to elaborate temple festivals — are among the world's most diverse and ancient.
English Definition
A sequence of actions performed according to prescribed order, often in religious or ceremonial contexts. Rituals mark important transitions (birth, death, marriage), reinforce community bonds, and connect participants to tradition and collective identity.
Example
“The Kumbh Mela — where millions of Hindus gather to bathe at sacred river confluences — is the world's largest religious ritual gathering, embodying faith, tradition, and community.”
In English: “The Kumbh Mela is the world's largest ritual gathering, drawing tens of millions of pilgrims to sacred river confluences.”
Synonyms
- ceremony
- rite
- observance
Antonyms / Opposites
- spontaneity
- improvisation
Literary Heritage
“Culture may even be described simply as that which makes life worth living.”
“Culture may even be described simply as that which makes life worth living.”
Images
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Language information
- Language
- English
- English
- Script
- Latin
- Family
- Indo-European
- Speakers
- 1.5B