Originally Posted by
sambya
literally puja may be translated as worship . it is a set of rituals in accordance with definite rules , having a large influence of tantra shastra and dravidian practises that sprang up from later vedic era when the importance of maha-yagnas steadily declined . a puja is usually offered to a personal god . in a puja the deity to ve invoked is treated as the most honourable guest to the household and offered all the items of comfort that was offered to a speciall guest in ancient india .
first the purohit or preist cleanses himself both physically and mentally by bathing and matras respectively . then he calms his mind through pranayam and recognises the inherently devine nature of his self through complex mantric procedures known as nyasa and bhutasuddhi . then he offers the sixteen items to god(a place to sit , welcome song , water for washing feet , argha , water for washing mouth , mudhuparka as a sweet , water for bathing , new clothes , jwellery , perfumed sandal paste , flowers, lamp , incense , food offerings and pranaam accompanied by hyms and praises . then the pujari is supposed to surrender all his belonging to the deity and finish of the proceeding with an arati .
this is a very short description of a puja . of course , the exact method vary between each region . local influences and customs also play a very important part in it . the idea is to reach the supreme through loving devotion and respect .......
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