Puja
పూజ
Sanskrit: पूजा · Category: Ritual
Quick Definition
Worship — formal offering of love and devotion to a deity using 16 upacharas (steps).
Detailed Explanation
The 16 upacharas of shodashopachara puja are: Avahana (invocation), Asana (seat), Padya (foot wash), Arghya (hand wash), Achamana (mouth rinse), Snana (bath), Vastra (clothing), Yajnopavita (sacred thread), Gandha (sandal paste), Pushpa (flowers), Dhupa (incense), Deepa (lamp), Naivedya (food offering), Tambula (betel), Pradakshina (circumambulation), Mantra-pushpa-arati.
See Also
Related Terms
Author & Sources
Compiled by Pandit Ramachandra Sharma, Vedic Astrologer & Panchangam Scholar. Definitions cross-referenced against classical texts: Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra, Muhurta Chintamani, Surya Siddhanta, Gṛhya Sūtras. See the full Vedic Glossary for 58 terms across Panchanga, Astrology, Calendar, Dosha, Ritual, and Sanskara categories.