Torma

Tormas are small, artistically painted, cone-shaped clay offerings that you will find in every Tibetan Monasteries. Initially, tormas were made up of roasted barley flour and butter. But since this process consumed a lot of time, people have started using clay and synthetic materials. With its fascinating outer appearance, Tormas also have a rich inner meaning. The first syllable 'tor' means cutting through one's self-centered nature. Having it removed, the second syllable 'ma' refers to radiating love and sympathy towards others; just like a mother's love for her children. Hence, offering them is often believed to purify the prepared emotional reactions that cause suffering to oneself and others. As you take this beautiful offering in your hand and observe it in detail, do not forget to take a look at the center of its base where you will find a small Tibetan text rolled up within it. It is believed that these Tibetan texts contain messages that the Lamas would want their deceased loved ones to hear. While some people simply use it as an offering with mantras written in them, others believe pouring down their miseries in the form of text would heal all their problems when offered to God. Be the reason any, reading others' message that is rolled inside the Torma is against one's ethics!