Archana

Archana, from Sanskrit archā meaning worship or adoration, denotes a form of Hindu worship in which a deity is honored by reciting names and offering flowers, water, and light. Performed in temples or home shrines, archana emphasizes bhakti (devotion) and the devotee’s personal relationship with the deity and can be offered to major gods such as Vishnu or Shiva as well as goddesses and regional forms.

During archana, the priest may recite a sequence of names or epithets in a prescribed order, sometimes inserting the devotee’s name. The ritual is often conducted with musical intonation; after the naming, aarti is performed and prasāda distributed. Archana can be part of daily worship or a special rite for festivals, weddings, or temple events. Practices vary by tradition and region but share the aim of reverence and divine blessing through named worship.

Archana is also a common feminine given name in India and among the Indian diaspora. Derived from the same Sanskrit root, it connotes worship or adoration and is used across several languages with various transliterations. As a personal name, it is distinct from the ritual context but reflects the cultural value placed on reverence.