puja

Puja, sometimes spelled pooja, is a ritual act of reverence and worship performed in Hinduism and in related Indian traditions. The word derives from the Sanskrit puja meaning reverence, honor, or worship. Puja is a way to honor a deity, guru, or sacred concept, and it can be performed at a home shrine or in a temple, as well as during festivals and life-cycle rites.

Typical puja involves purification of the space and the image or symbol (washing, sandalwood paste, water); invocation of the deity (avahana); offerings such as flowers, fruits, water, incense, and a lamp or camphor; prayers or mantras; and the culmination in arati (circling a lit lamp) and the distribution of prasada, a blessed food.

Puja varies widely by region and tradition. Domestic or griha-puja is performed by individuals or families; temple puja is led by priests and may follow structured liturgies. Special forms exist for particular deities—Ganesh, Lakshmi, Saraswati, Durga—and for festivals such as Diwali or Navaratri. In Jainism and some Buddhist and folk practices, similar offerings and ceremonies are described using the term puja to denote reverent worship of Tirthankaras, Buddhas, or other sacred figures. In Sikh practice, worship focuses on prayer, hymn singing, and service rather than idol-centered puja.

Carried out with intention and discipline, puja serves devotional, moral, and social purposes: it fosters bhakti (devotion), aligns daily life with spiritual values, and can bring communities together.