puja

Worship, in Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism.

In Hinduism, puja is performed to a murti (image) of a personal god, either at home or in a mandir (temple). At home there is usually a room, or part of a room, set aside for a shrine. It will have murtis of the gods or goddesses special to that family; kum-kum (red powder), flowers, incense, candles, and special objects, such as photos of the family; perhaps pots of holy water from the Ganges; and other reminders of what is important in the worshipper's spiritual life.

Hindus may pray up to three times a day, sometimes in the mandir, but frequently at home. It is often the family members who stay at home who become most involved in devotional practices.

The worshipper will bathe, then ‘wake’ the god or goddess by lighting a lamp. They may bathe the murti, offer flowers and incense, light candles or small oil lamps, and offer food. All these have the purpose of showing utmost respect and care towards the god or goddess, and help to put the worshipper in the right frame of mind for praying.

The usual prayer said is the Gayatri Mantra, followed by prayers of praise and requests for help. Puja ends with a prayer for peace for all living things. Food that has been offered to the gods, known as prashad, is then shared with the worshippers. In the evening, puja may involve laying down the murti for the night.

In a mandir (temple), similar rituals happen but they may be more elaborate, or may focus on worship of one aspect of the one God. Worshippers sometimes begin by ringing a small bell to call on God. This may help the worshipper by marking the end of being in worldly time, and the beginning of being in God's presence. Every day in the temple, the priest will perform arti, a puja of light. As part of the ceremony, a holy fire is lit on a tray that contains symbols of the five elements: fire, earth, water, air, and ether. The tray is passed around so that the worshippers can pass their hands over it and then over their own heads, symbolizing the taking of God's holy light and blessing into themselves.