The Baltic "aukuras" or "fire altar" is a stone altar in which a fire is ritually lit. Participants wash their hands and face before approaching the aukuras, and then they sing "dainos" or ritual hymns as the fire is lit. Food, drink, grasses and flowers are offered to the flame as the group sings the "dainas". After the primary offering, participants offer their own verbal or silent prayers which are carried to the Gods with the smoke and sparks of the flame.