1. Hindu Worship

2. Puja Home worship Offerings made to deities – offerings paced on a tray in- front of a deity Includes flowers, fruits incense sticks, water, milk clarified butter and a lamp Can be done daily or on festival days

3. Puja continued Traditional puja involves 16 steps All puja concludes with waving of a lamp – Arati, around an alter while worshippers sing hymns and verses of prayer After prayers, food is redistributed amongst the worshippers as a gift from that deity – gift called prasad

4. Puja continued Homa – ritual that involves burning offerings in a fire assembled according to Vedic guidelines blessed by a priest (Brahmin) Smoke brings healing an elevated spiritual awareness – purifies the atmosphere and heavens Mantras are chanted while lighting the Homa fire - brings forward the energy of the deities 1 hour sitting at a Homa fire is equivalent to 1 month of meditation

5. Types of Temple Worship Japa - Individual silent or soft repetition of mantras. Bhajan - Singing of religious songs, individually or in a group, usually accompanied by instruments. Kirtan – (to repeat) Congregational chanting of holy mantras accompanied by instruments and simple dance. Arotik - This is an ancient ceremony wherein certain pleasing articles are offered to the Lord in his deity form, accompanied by kirtan Puja video clip Puja video clip (New York Hindu Temple Worship video clip

6. Temple Worship Temple visits during festival times or special functions Worship led by Brahmin priest Priest bathing, removes shoes, rings temple bell The deities are prepared: bathed, offered fresh flowers, incense and food Offerings are made on behalf of the devotees After final prayer, blessed food is redistributed -Prasad

7. Images of Temple Worship

8. Images of Temple Worship Continued:

11. Pilgrimage: Journey to Holy places

12. Reasons to Pilgrimage To remember special people (saints) To fix the mind on God and to glorify Him For spiritual development and to gain spiritual merit For purification and atonement of sins For meeting and taking guidance from holy people To perform specific religious rites For self-reflection and contemplation For an uplifting and memorable experience (spiritual inspiration)

13. Activities done while on Pilgrimage Taking darshan or specific deities on your journey Participating in worship (e.g. kirtan) Charity, especially to priests and temples Austerities and penance (such as shaving the head, and following certain vows such as celibacy) Listening to talks and receiving advice on spiritual life Specific rites / rituals