Hindus consider temples as buildings dedicated to divinities. Most Hindu temples have many shrines, in which each is devoted to a single god or goddess. The shrines have many sculpture images. The Hindus treat these images as living human beings, to which the priests wash and dress them and bring them food and water.

In many cases of Hindu temples, the different parts of the building can have a different spiritual or symbolic meaning. The central shrine is the heart of the worshiper. The tower represents the flight of the spirit to heaven. The priest may read, or more usually, recite, the Vedas to the worshiper, but any "twice-born" Hindu can perform the reading of prayers and mantras.

At home, since most worship is very individualistic, a shrine can be anything from a room, a small altar or simply pictures or statues of the god or goddess. Family members often worship together. Rituals should strictly be performed at least three times a day, if not more. Worshipers repeat the names of their favorite gods and goddesses, and repeat different mantras; water, fruit, flowers, and incense and offered to god. The majority of Hindu homes have a shrine where offerings are made and prayers are said.