Pujari

Pujari, also spelled pujari or poojary, is a Hindu temple priest who conducts worship and other rites for a deity. The word derives from the Sanskrit puja, meaning worship, and denotes a person authorized to perform sacred rituals on behalf of a temple or household.

In temples, the pujari leads daily worship, recites prayers and mantras, and performs ceremonies such as archana (recitation of the deity’s names) and aarti (the waving of lamps before the deity). He or she may oversee ritual bathing (abhishekam), offerings of food (naivedya), and the distribution of prasad. Pujaris coordinate with temple management, guide devotees through rituals, and may officiate life-cycle ceremonies such as weddings, naming ceremonies, and cremations, depending on local custom. They also teach visitors about ritual etiquette and the significance of the ceremonies.

Training for a pujari varies by tradition and region, but it typically involves apprenticeship with senior priests or formal instruction in Sanskrit, liturgical texts, and temple procedures. Proficiency in local languages is common to communicate with devotees.

Regional usage varies: in many parts of South Asia, especially in Karnataka, Goa, Kerala, and parts of Maharashtra, the term Pujari (or its variants such as Poojary, Poojari, or Pujari) is widely used and may also be a surname among certain communities. Pujaris can be employed by temples or operate as independent priests serving households or pilgrimage sites.