What Is A Puja

Puja is a ritualistic worship of the Divine performed to keep us in harmony with cosmic forces, thereby removing and overcoming the sorrows of life and bringing spiritual upliftment.

By performing puja, thoughts and vibrations of spiritual forces are created around us. These spiritual forces work to eliminate the negative influences in our life and help surround us with positive energy which can bring us peace of mind, and material prosperity and enable us to more clearly touch the Divine, our true nature.

Pujas are traditionally performed in temples by priests trained in the exact science of puja, including the precise details of auspicious times to perform certain pujas, which mantras to chant, etc. An individual's vedic astrological chart determines which pujas and timings are best for that person, based on their karma from this life and previous lives. Puja is the act of showing reverence to God, a spirit, or another aspect of the divine through invocations, prayers, songs, and rituals. An essential part of puja for the Hindu devotee is making a spiritual connection with the Divine. Most often that contact is facilitated through an object: an element of nature, a sculpture, a vessel, a painting, or a print.

During the puja, images or other symbols of God and deities are a means of gaining access to the divine. This icon is not the deity itself; rather, it is believed to be filled with the deity's cosmic energy. It is a focal point for honouring and communicating with the deities. For the devout Hindu, the icon's artistic merit is important, but is secondary to its spiritual content. The objects are created as receptacles for spiritual energy that allows the devotee to experience direct communication with his or her deity.

Performing a Puja

A worshipper is required to be pure in the body and the mind. The Puranas lay more stress on the quality of devotion and good behaviour than on rigid puja procedures. Puja originated as a substitute to homa and other Vedic sacrifices which women and Shudras could not perform and required animal sacrifices. Due to the Dravidian, Buddhist and Jain influences that preached non-violence, the killing or sacrifice of animals was discontinued and with the development of iconography, idol worship and puja took the place of sacrifice. It was also recognized that worship was essential for all, whatever the gender or caste (Varna) was, puja was formalized as a universal option instead of the exclusive homam.

Pujas in Temples

A Hindu temple is believed to be the earthly seat of a deity and the place where the deity waits for its devotees. As such, temple structures are sacred spaces where gods partake of human offerings and in which the people can be with the gods. Many temples resemble palace architecture; this is not surprising, as deities are often considered kings.

Temples are normally dedicated to one primary god. Often they are elaborately decorated on the outside with stone or plaster carvings depicting religious stories, and their decoration is specific to the deity being worshipped. Mythological scenes are juxtaposed with scenes of everyday life and important political events, such as royal coronations, conquests, and celebrations, or with portraits of royal and secular patrons. These divine images and mythological scenes on the outer walls of the temple help worshipers recall the sacred stories they have heard or read.

One should remove one's shoes before entering a Hindu temple to pay appropriate respect to the deity within the temple.
The innermost sanctuary of the temple contains the principal image of the deity. The character of each shrine is determined by the deity being worshipped.

Short Pujas/ Daily Pujas

Each time when you say 'Samarpayami' (literally: I am offering), please offer two axataas to the Lord with love and devotion. (Akshatha is uncooked rice if possible, coloured with kumkum, saffron powder, turmeric and a little bit of water. It can be prepared well in advance for a week and kept near the ALTAR).

Dhyaanam Samarpayami (Think or meditate on the Lord)
Aawaahanam Samarpayami (Offering invitation the Lord)
Aasanam Samarpayami (Offer a seat to the Lord)
Paadyam Samarpayami (Offer water to wash the feet)
Arghyam Samarpayami (offer water to wash the hands)
Aachamaneeyam Samarpayami (offer water to drink)
Snaanam Samarpayami (Give bath to the Lord)
Maha Abhishekam Samarpayami (Main head bath)
Pratishtaapayaami (Make him seated)
Vasthram Samarpayami (Offer clothes to the Lord)
Yajnopaveetham Samarpayami (Offer the Holy Thread to the Lord)
Gandham Samarpayami (Offer sandalwood paste/powder)
Akshatham Samarpayami (Offer Akshatha to the Lord)
Pushpam Samarpayami (Offer flowers to the Lord)
Ashthothtra Poojam Samarpayami (Offer the Holy 108 names of the Lord)
Dhoopam Aaghraapayaami (offer agarbatti)
Deepam Darshayaami (offer light)
Neivedyam Samarpayami (Offer food to the Lord)
Phalam Samarpayami (Offer fruits to the Lord)
Taamboolam Samarpayami (Offer beetle nut and leaves)
Dakshinam Samarpayami (Offer money to the Lord)
Maha Nirajanam Samarpayami (The main aarati)
Pradakshinam Samarpayami (Taking clockwise rounds in front of the Lord)
Namaskaram Samarpayami (Prostrations offer them)
Mantra Pushpam Samarpayami (Both incantations and flowers
Praarthanaam Samarpayami (Offering prayers; List your requests)
Kshamapanam Samarpayami (Offering apologies to Lord for any mistakes)