home, typically early in the morning. There’s no set program to follow, and rites can be

as simple or elaborate as you’d like. You will need Home shrine with murti, or images

and icons of a deity or deities Small brass and/or silver pots A large metal tray Ghee,

or clarified butter, for lighting the lamps A standing oil lamp Small lamps with cotton

wicks A deep tray Incense sticks Incense burner or matchstick Scripture Sacraments and offerings

from your tradition A hymn, recorded or live and bells. Step 1. Avoid consuming food for

at least an hour before the puja. Step 2. Prepare items for the puja, which can vary

depending on the deities worshipped and individual choice. These can include sacred water or

milk; uncooked rice mixed with turmeric; fresh stem-less blooms or loose flower petals; and

sacraments of one’s tradition such as red powder, sandalwood paste, or holy ash. Step

3. Place the items you are using in the small bronze or silver pots, and then place the

pots on the large metal tray. Step 4. Bathe and put on clean clothes before entering the

shrine to maintain the space’s sanctity. During their menstrual cycles, women customarily

don’t partake in a puja. Step 5. Enter the shrine with your family. The holiest time

for puja is considered to be just before sunrise. Step 6. Use ghee to light the standing and

smaller lamps. The standing one usually stays on all day. Step 7. Light incense with a burner

or matchstick. Step 8. Express your devotion to the murti of your selected deity or deities.

The images allow direct communication between participants and the deities. Hindus do not

worship the murti themselves; they worship God, who is present in the images. Step 9.

Place the murti in a deep tray and bathe them with sacred water or milk. Sacred water and

milk can be found in stores specializing in Hindu worship items. Step 10. Remove the tray

used to catch the sacred water or milk. Step 11. Dry the murti and dress them in colorful

clothing. Step 12. Recite prayers and passages from scriptures such as the Vedas. Step 13.

If you are using them, smear powder, paste, or ash on the murti. The puja leader can also

smear these on devotees’ foreheads as blessings. Step 14. Make other offerings, such as rice,

fruit, or flowers. Distribute food and flowers to devotees. Step 15. Play a song for the

deities. This could be a popular recording of a hymn, known as bhajan, or a family member

can sing. It all depends on the type of puja. Step 16. End the puja with aarti. Wave the

lamps or a tray of lamps in front of the murti in a circular, clockwise motion to represent

the cyclical nature of creation. Aarti is often accompanied by the ringing of bells.

Did you know During a “car puja,” new wheels are blessed.