Certain rituals are observed during the time of puja. People observe the rituals either individually or in accompaniment with others. Generally the priests conduct puja in religious occasion. The priest chant prayers in Sanskrit or in some other languages during the time of performance. In large ceremonies people participate in puja collaboratively. The rituals are performed in a elaborate way, 'prasads' are distributed, special religious lunches are served and evening prayers known as bhajans are organized.
A Hindu Puja comprises of steps like meditation, austerity, chanting , reading scriptures, offering food and prayer. Chanting Gayatri Mantra is an integral part of puja among the Hindu communities. A traditional puja involves certain rituals in it. Several Sanskrit terms related to puja rituals have different connotations and significances. 'Dhyaanam Samarpayami' interprets 'Think or meditate on the Lord'
' Aawaahanam Samarpayami interprets 'invite the Lord into your home or heart'.
'Aasanam Samarpayami' connotes 'Offer a seat to the Lord'
'Paadyam Samarpayami' translates 'Offer water to wash the feet of Lord'
'Arghyam Samarpayami' refers to 'offering water to wash the hands of Lord'
'Snaanam Samarpayami' interprets 'offering bath to God'
'Maha Abhishekam Samarpayami' implies 'offering head bath to God'
'Pratishtaapayaami' implies making the 'Lord to seat'
'Vasthram Samarpayami' translates as 'offering clothes to the Lord'
'Yajnopaveetham Samarpayami' refers to 'offering the Holy Thread'
'Gandham Samarpayami' implies 'offering sandalwood paste or powder to the Lord'
'Akshatham Samarpayami' implies 'the ritual of offering Akshatha or rice'
'Pushpam Samarpayami' implies the 'ritual of offering flowers'
'Ashthothtra pujam Samarpayami' is the Sanskrit translation of 'uttering holy names of the Lord'
'Dhoopam Aaghraapayaami' means 'offering fragrances'
'Deepam Darshayaami' interprets 'offering light to God'
'Neivedyam Samarpayami' interprets 'offering food to the Lord'
'Phalam Samarpayami' implies 'offering fruits to god'
'Taamboolam Samarpayami' offering 'betel nut and leaves to lord'
'Maha Nirajanam Samarpayami' implies 'performing aarti to the God'
'Namaskaram Samarpayami' interprets 'offering prayers in prostrate position'
'Mantra Pushpam Samarpayami' offering 'incantations and flowers'
Some of the popular puja items are puja thali, diyas (wicker lamps), incense sticks and holders, fruits, flowers, beetles, nuts, con shells, coconut, vermilion, tarmaric powder and more. Shiva, Visnu, Lakshmi, Kali, Durga and Ganesha are the popular Hindu idols worshipped during puja. Some of the grand puja cellebrations in India are Kali Puja, Ganesha Puja, Saraswati Puja, Lakshmi Puja, Satyanarayan Puja and Durga Puja. The puja finally comes to an end with the offering of prayers and aarti to God. The priests offer sacred fire and apply tilaka mark prepared from sandalwood paste and vermilion on the forehead of the devotees. The prasads mainly comprisisng of various kind of fruits ans sweets are offered.
The site pujaitems.com provides comprehensive insight on puja
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