
But saffron also represents purity and protection, which is why there is saffron powder or saffron flower garlands often placed around a statue. Fire is extremely important in many Hindu rituals as it is believed to burn impurities away. The most common color is saffron, which to Hindus is a representative color for fire. However, in culture, red is also associated with menstrual blood which make color viewed as impure. For instance red: in Hinduism, red represents blood, which is seen as life giving and pure.

But tthe use of colors in Hinduism and the decoration of Hindu temples is rooted in tradition and has a deeper meaning. Most temples are therefore decorated with a bright yellow to show the purpose is for spiritual growth. They can also function to identify the emphasis a certain temple places on the different aspects of Hinduism. They can function to get the attention of a passerby or anyone looking for a place to worship. The colors have both function and religious significance. Many have bright lights illuminating them and look like something you’d see at a state fair or in Las Vegas. We’ve seen Hindu temples with bright red canopies. The colors used to decorate a Hindu temple are so vibrant and full of energy that it makes a Christian church look dull. The one way a Hindu temple stands out more than sacred space in any other religion is the decorations. Statues of him are made and they are treated like statues of Krishna and Rama.

When the guru died, his followers placed him on a spiritual pedestal and today he is viewed as an avatar of Shiva. This was to the extent that it wasn’t know if he was a Hindu or Muslim. He was known to perform miracles and started a branch of Hinduism that is heavily influenced by Islam. Sai Baba was an Indian spiritual master and leader.
