Question about religious practice at the Hindu Temple

[sariah 0]

I am not Hindu, but went to the Hindu temple in our town with some acquaintances. While we were there the priest came around to the visitors with a little plate with water. The people I were with took the water and did a motion around their face and rubbed their head. They also did this to my daughter who is less than a year old. I would like to understand more what this practice meant and if it had any significance. Was it a blessing?

Thanks for taking your time to reply!

[sambya 0]

yes , the priest was probably giving you the charanamrita . literally it means the nectar from the feet . in hindu custom feet of guru or god is worshipped and the water used to wash down the feet were treated in reverence .

 

in temple however it is generally the water which has been used to bathe the deities . it is a blessing and is supposed to clean away your paap(negative karmas ) . it is generally sipped and the residue rubbed over the head in reverence .