PUJA-ARCHANA

We know that our existence & evolution is caused by God. We have to repay this debt or Dev Rin.We do it by offering Puja to God. There are many interpretations for Puja.According to one puja means the worship through which we awaken the indwelling spirit in us. According to other PU means Pushpam & JA means Jalam.Thus Puja is a form of Hindu worship during which water and flowers are offered to God alongwithJapam.Puja in Hinduism is a religious and an essential ritual . According to Hindu beliefs the deity which normally is a static statue or idol becomes alive or is pranpratishtith( charged with God-ness).The deity in the idol is offered all that a human is offered.Puja is done at home, temples on all auspicious occasions and festivals . For doing Puja we need certain articles which are common except for specific Pujas or Archana of certain deities. The systematic Puja normally involves 16 upchars.For performing these upchars we need a set of different articles which are described here and are presented in a Puja Thali. 1.JalPatra with Achmani:Water is essential for offering Padya,Arghya and Achman.Jal patra with achmani is used for this. 2.Kalash:Water being clean and pure attracts maximum amount of cosmic power. A Kalash with holy Ganga Jal is established in all the Pujas at first hand .Cosmic powers of Varun Devata are invoked in it. 3.Deepak:Light symbolizes knowledge or inner wealth which removes darkness or ignorance.Thus we light Deepak up to the completion of Puja.Since it symbolizes Agni Devata the Cosmic powers of Agni Devata are invoked in it. 4.Ghanti:The Ghanti/Ghanta or bell activates the savior form of energy of the deity. The bell is clapped during arti for its pleasant sound of OM. 5.Shankh:Shankh or conch shell activates the destroyer form of energy of the deity. Sankh is regarded sacred and very auspicious. To initiate religious ceremonies Shankh is blown.The vibrations from Shankh overpower evil forces.It is scientifically proved that Shankh clears environmental pollution including healing the hole in the ozone layer which causes global warming.

6.Sandalwood paste and Attar(Fragrant essence of flowers):We know that these aricles comprise Gandhakam have nice fragrance, subtle particles of which activate the cosmic fragrances. 7.Dhoop stick:It has the capacity to absorb the subtle fragrance emitted by deities in the atmosphere. 8.Kumkum/Roli:They represent intellect and is a symbol of auspiciousness and happiness. It denotes saubhagya (good fortune). 9.Akshat: Akshat are unbroken rice grains. when coloured with kumkum are known as Kumkumakshat.It is offered to give wealth and prosperity.it symbolizes steadfastness and firmness of the brain .It also symbolizes peace. 10.Arti:This is also a Deepak with handle in which camphor or ghee is used.Performing arti with camphor destroys negative frequencies by which atmosphere and place of worship is purified. The place of puja becomes full of Chaitanya or divine conciousness.. 11.Naivaidya Patr:It is a plate in which various articles known as Prasadam and dry fruits are offered to the deity. These are distributed among the devotees after the completion of the Puja. 12.Panchapatra:It is an integral part of Puja in which holy Charanamrit is placed before the deity and is distributed with prasadam .Charanamrit means nectar from the feet of Lord. 13.Mouli or Kalawa:It is a cotton thread roll coloured red and yellow.It is considered very sacred and is used in all religious purposes.It is first offered to the deity and then tied around the wrist of right hand of male members and left hand of females by the family members during Puja.The basic significance of wearing this thread is to get blessings from God. 14.Betel nut/Betel leaf:They have the highest capacity to emit subtle frequencies of deities. 15.Coconut and Dakshina: These may be offered along with betel leaf and betel nuts before completion of Puja and pradakshina.Sometimes a coconut is also placed on the the Kalash. For specific Puja.