India, May 31 -- Havans, yagnyas, wedding rituals and other ceremonies generally use a lighted fire pit as the holy altar of the Lord. It is worshipped and offerings are made to it. Symbolic of the Lord, it is viewed with reverence, not only when alight but even after it extinguishes itself. The holy ashes are put on the forehead as Prasad.

Amongst the five elements,the fire is the closest in comparison to the pure consciousness. Fire is lit by fire, sustained by fire and consumed by fire. The three aspects of divinity (karana) creation, (dharana) sustenance and (Laya) destruction, are visibly manifest in fire. Fire like divinity, assumes forms of objects that contact it, yet itself is formless. It lends its qualities of heat and light t...