pujaris

A pujarī, often anglicized as pujari, is a priest who conducts Hindu worship rituals, or puja, in temples and, in some cases, in private homes. The term derives from Sanskrit puja, meaning worship, with a suffix that denotes an agent or practitioner. In many temple contexts the pujarī is also referred to as archaka, a title that denotes the performer of daily rites.

Duties and functions typically include overseeing and conducting daily worship services, performing ritual bathing and anointing of deities, offering food and other offerings, lighting lamps, and leading arati. Pujaris chant mantras, recite prayers, and may follow religious configurations such as the Vedas or specific temple agama scriptures. They distribute prasada (blessed food) to worshippers, maintain temple cleanliness and ornamentation, and supervise or guide devotees during festivals, ceremonies, and life-cycle rites such as weddings and samskaras.

Qualifications and training for pujaris vary by tradition and region. Many acquire knowledge through informal apprenticeships with senior priests or through temple-based instruction. Some pursue formal study in vedic or agama schools, learning Sanskrit mantras, ritual procedures, temple etiquette, and purity practices. While the role is predominantly associated with Brahmin communities in many regions, practices differ, and pujaris may come from diverse backgrounds depending on local temple traditions.

Regional variation and social context also shape the role of the pujarī. In India and neighboring regions, temple priests are employed by temple trusts or patron families, and their duties are adapted to local rituals and calendars. The profession remains central to ritual life in many Hindu communities, even as contemporary practices evolve with changing social norms and governance.