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''This article is about Hinduism . ''Puja'' may also refer to certain ceremonies performed by Buddhists on holy days.'' Pūjā (alternative or Worship ) is a Religious Ritual that Hindu s perform on a variety of occasions to pray or show respect to God (or Gods ). Most practicing Hindus perform Puja once or twice a day. Puja is often done after a shower or bath and it is recomended that rites be performed before food intake to ensure Sattvic qualities and full concentration ( Dhyan ). Puja is also performed on special occasions beside of the daily ritual. These include Durga Puja, Pongal and Lakshmi Puja and other religious occasions. Puja or Pooja is also a Hindu Female first name. PUJA RITUALS A puja can be offered to anyone the performer considers to be his conception of God – from a murti of Vishnu to a Shiva lingam. The worship consists of offering various articles to the object of worship, such as Flower s and Vegetarian Food , and usually includes lighting a Candle or Incense . The puja may also represent the welcoming ceremony and thus is also performed for prominent guests to one's home. In the Vedic tradition a guest is considered a form of God (''atithi Narayana ''). Puja ceremonies consist of meditation (dhyana), austerity (tapa), chanting (mantra), scripture reading (svadhyaya), offering food (thaal) and prostrations (panchanga or ashtanga pranama, dandavat). The individual also applies a Tilaka mark on the forehead with Sandalwood paste, and then a vermillion (kumkum) dot (chandlo) in its centre. This signifies submission to the Almighty and also His Omnipresence. Puja is usually concluded with Aarti to the Lord. Puja may be performed by an individual worshipper or in gatherings. The ritual may be observed in Silence or accompanied by Prayer s. Sometimes a puja is done for the benefit of certain people, for whom priests or relatives ask blessings. A Hindu Priest (called a Pundit ) will chant prayers in Sanskrit or some other language while performing puja. Large pujas request the presence of fellow believers and pray to the god or goddesses in question. This usually involves a full day ritual where people are present for the actual puja ceremony and have puja prasad (blessed food that should not be thrown out), followed by Bhajan s (religious prayer songs) and an all-vegetarian dinner. 27 steps of a puja A puja generally takes the form of the Lord as your guest: #Dhyaanam Samarpayami (Think or meditate on the Lord) #Aawaahanam Samarpayami (Invite the Lord into your home/heart) #Aasanam Samarpayami (Offer a seat) #Paadyam Samarpayami (Offer water to wash the feet) #Arghyam Samarpayami (Offer water to wash the hands) #Aachamaneeyam Samarpayami (Offer water to drink) #Snaanam Samarpayami (Give bath) #Maha Abhishekam Samarpayami (Main head bath) #Pratishtaapayaami (Make Him seated) #Vasthram Samarpayami (Offer clothes) #Yajnopaveetham Samarpayami (Offer the Holy Thread) #Gandham Samarpayami (Offer sandlewood paste/powder) #Akshatham Samarpayami (Offer Akshatha (rice)) #Pushpam Samarpayami (Offer flowers) #Ashthothtra Poojam Samarpayami (Say the holy names of the Lord) #Dhoopam Aaghraapayaami (Offer fragrance) #Deepam Darshayaami (Offer light) #Neivedyam Samarpayami (Offer food) #Phalam Samarpayami (Offer fruits) #Taamboolam Samarpayami (Offer betel nut and leaves ) #Dakshinam Samarpayami (Offer wealth) #Maha Nirajanam Samarpayami (Perform Aarti ) #Pradakshinam Samarpayami (Continue aarti) #Namaskaram Samarpayami (Prostrate before Him) #Mantra Pushpam Samarpayami (Offer incantations and flowers) #Praarthanaam Samarpayami (Offer prayers, request your desires) #Xamaapanam Samarpayami (Admit wrongdoings and ask for forgiveness) THE ROLE OF THE BRAHMAN Often, temple priests conduct pujas on behalf of sponsors. The sponsors either bear expenses of the puja ingredients or provide ingredients and ''dakshina''. SATYANARAYANA PUJA The Satyanarayana Puja is unique in that it does not require a brahman to perform. EXTERNAL LINKS
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