pujan

Pujan, often transliterated as puja or pujaan, refers to the ritual worship and invocation of reverence in Hinduism and other Dharmic traditions. The term derives from the Sanskrit pūjā, meaning reverence, honor, or worship. In practice, pujan is a structured rite performed to honor a deity, a sacred principle, or a spiritual teacher, and to seek blessings, protection, or gratitude.

A typical puja involves purification of the space, invocation of the divine presence, and the offering of items such as flowers, fruit, sweets, water, and sacred foods (naivedya), as well as incense and lamps. Recitation of mantras or prayers accompanies the rites, and an arati, a circular waving of a lamp, may accompany the ceremony. Afterward, worshippers may engage in darshan, the viewing of the deity, and share prasad, blessed food, with participants.

Pujan is performed daily in many Hindu households and temples, and expands into larger festival rituals such as Durga Puja, Navaratri, Lakshmi Puja, and Diwali. While many pujas are personal and family-centered, temple ceremonies may involve priests, processions, and community participation, aligning ritual practice with regional and communal customs.

Similar ritual offerings occur in other Dharmic traditions, with Jain puja directed toward tirthankaras and Buddhist offerings to Buddhas and bodhisattvas. The practice varies by region and community, with differences in deities worshiped, offerings, and recitation styles, reflecting diverse devotional cultures across South Asia and the diaspora.