Puja in temple is a public worship of Gods in Hindu temples daily. Generally a Puja is conducted three times a day by the Brahman priest. The pujas that are performed in a temple are elaborate. These pujas vary according to the type of deity, regions and different sects of Hindus. It is a reverence to God through invocations prayers and rituals. A Hindu temple is the earthly seat of the deity where it is believed that god wait for the devotees. Hence, temple structures are sacred places where god grants human offerings and where people can be with god. So the temples` atmosphere is always serene and tranquil. Pujas are done to maintain this atmosphere thereby endowing the deity with utmost respect.
In most of the temples the Puja consists of Abhiseka, Dhupa and Naivedya. Abhiseka means holy massage, Dhupa is worship through incense sticks and Naivedya includes food offerings. Abhiseka is done with a combination of honey, milk, coconut water or sugar. Naivedya is distributed afterwards among the priest and servants of the temples. This puja is performed in the garbhagriha where one or two lamps are burning all through the day.
Puja is done as an offering to the deity in a temple to receive the blessings of that particular God. Pujas are done in a temple on special occasions. Sometimes they are performed on a larger scale. A Puja is generally performed after a shower.
A Puja might include following twenty-seven steps:
1. Dhyaanam Samarpayami (Think or meditate on the Lord)
2. Aawaahanam Samarpayami (Invite the Lord into your home/heart)
3. Aasanam Samarpayami (Offer a seat)
4. Paadyam Samarpayami (Offer water to wash the feet)
5. Arghyam Samarpayami (Offer water to wash the hands)
6. Aachamaneeyam Samarpayami (Offer water to drink)
7. Snaanam Samarpayami (Give bath)
8. Maha Abhishekam Samarpayami (Main head bath)
9. Pratishtaapayaami (Make Him seated)
10. Vasthram Samarpayami (Offer clothes)
11. Yajnopaveetham Samarpayami (Offer the Holy Thread)
12. Gandham Samarpayami (Offer sandlewood paste/powder)
13. Akshatham Samarpayami (Offer Akshatha (rice))
14. Pushpam Samarpayami (Offer flowers)
15. Ashthothtra Poojam Samarpayami (Say the holy names of the Lord)
16. Dhoopam Aaghraapayaami (Offer fragrance)
17. Deepam Darshayaami (Offer light)
18. Neivedyam Samarpayami (Offer food)
19. Phalam Samarpayami (Offer fruit(s))
20. Taamboolam Samarpayami (Offer betel nut and leaves)
21. Dakshinam Samarpayami (Offer wealth)
22. Maha Nirajanam Samarpayami (Perform aarti)
23. Pradakshinam Samarpayami (Continue aarti)
24. Namaskaram Samarpayami (Prostrate before Him)
25. Mantra Pushpam Samarpayami (Offer incantations and flowers)
26. Praarthanaam Samarpayami (Offer prayers, request your desires)
27. Kshamaapanam Samarpayami (Admit wrongdoings and ask for forgiveness)