pujari

Hindu priest. A pujari looks after the chief murti (sacred image of a god) of a mandir (temple), and performs ceremonies such as arti, an offering of ghee, incense, flowers, and water; and havan, a fire-offering. The pujari will also lead the bhajan (hymn singing) in larger temples.

After waking the murti in the morning, the pujari carefully washes, dresses, and offers food to the image. The food later becomes the prashad offered to worshippers. In the evening the murti are sometimes laid down for the night. The rituals and ceremonies are accompanied by mantras and bell-ringing.