Worship in Hinduism

Everyone is bundle of thoughts. Harvard Study concluded that approx. 77,000 thoughts per day – 99% thoughts are negative. As we curtail the number of thoughts, distraction is reduced & contraction & focus is developed. Focus is essential for peace, success of task in hand and consequently in this life.

Further, everyone has boundless desires and faces different kinds of fear & phobias. To fulfil desires & to control fears, one needs the Supreme Being who is omnipotent & omniscient. So, people worship the Supreme Being or Almighty. Also, some worship Him out of love & affection. and as a tradition. It helps in daily life.

Some people are intellectual & analytical, some are hard-working, some are emotional and some are very disciplined and with strong will. Hinduism is the only religion (way of life) which has multiple systems of worship and to connect with Supreme Being or Almighty.
Hindu worship, or Puja (पूजा), is a devotional ritual offered to deities at home or in temples. It is both spiritual and symbolic, helping devotees connect with God through prayer, offerings, and meditation. Worship includes Cleanliness of both outer and inner being, Invocation & welcome of the divine, Offerings to express love and gratitude, Mantras to connect divine through sound vibration, Aarti   to celebrate the divine and Prasad to receive blessings
Regular worship calms the mind, teaches discipline and focus, purifies thoughts and actions. Worship is also done during important life events: birth, marriage, festivals, or even mourning.

Multiple Systems for Different Personalities -

1. For Intellectual & Analytical Persons – Reading of religious books, Listening or Sravana of spiritual texts, Contemplation or Manana of spiritual teachings, Nididhyasana or practice help in clarity and concentration of mind.
2. For Persons of high emotions –Bhajan and Kirtan.
3. For Persons of strong will power and high discipline - Dharna, Dhayan and Samadhi. Japa of Mantras
4. For Person who is activity oriented – 16 Upachara Ritual worship, Yajna & Havan
5. Scientific studies have been conducted to investigate the healing effects of prayers.

How it helps in daily working

1. Regular Japa helps in detaching mind from distraction of multiple thoughts, slow down thought process, developing concentration and focus.
2. Meditation has been found to produce a clinically significant reduction in blood pressure & heart rate, to alter levels of melatonin and serotonin, to suppress neurotransmission, to boost the immune response, to decrease the levels of reactive oxygen, to reduce stress and promote positive mood states, to reduce anxiety and pain and enhance self-esteem and to have a favourable influence on overall and spiritual quality of life in late-stage disease.
3. Different types of Fasting such as intermittent fasting, have been associated with a wide range of health benefits, including weight loss, as well as improved blood sugar control, heart health, brain function and cancer prevention.

 
Why Hindus Worship?

1. To Connect with the Divine - God is everywhere and in everything, but worship gives us a focused way to feel God’s presence. Through idols, mantras, and rituals, we bring God into our hearts and homes.
2. To Express Gratitude - Hindus worship to thank the deities for Life, Health, Nature (sun, rivers, animals) and Protection and guidance.
3. To Seek Blessings, Peace of mind, Prosperity, Success in work or exams and Health and protection from harm.
4. To Cleanse the Mind and Heart
5. To Strengthen Devotion (Bhakti) - Worship is a form of love and surrender to God. It helps us remember that we are not alone — we are guided by a higher force.
6. To Maintain Tradition and Culture - Worship keeps family values, rituals, and festivals alive. It helps pass spiritual wisdom to the next generation.
7. To Reduce Ego - Worship reminds us that we are not the centre of the universe. Bowing, offering, and praying help develop humility and gratitude.
8. To Balance Karma - Worship is considered a good karma (positive action). It helps reduce the effects of past negative karma through prayer, repentance, and service.

Why Idol Worship?
Hindu Belief that God is within, yet we worship outside (“Aham Brahmasmi” – I am Divine). But worshiping an idol or image helps concentrate the mind. Just like a photo of a loved one makes us feel connected, an idol helps in focusing devotion.
How Worship done - Basic Steps of a Hindu Puja

• Purification - Take a bath or wash hands and feet. Clean the puja area and altar (mandir). Light incense (agarbatti) and lamps (diya).
• Dhyanam (Meditation) - Sit quietly and meditate on the deity you are worshipping. Chant Om or a simple mantra.
• Sankalpa (Resolution) - Take water in the right palm and state your intention (why you are doing the puja – e.g., peace, gratitude, birthday, etc.).  Drop the water to show you are committed.
• Avahanam (Invocation) - Invite the deity into the idol or photo with - “Om Avahayami” (I invoke You, O Lord/Goddess)
• Puja Offerings (Upacharas) - There are usually 16 steps (Shodashopachara) but you can keep it simple:
• Padya - Offer water for washing feet for gaining Hospitality of divine.
• Arghya – Offer water is offered for washing hands for showing to the divine Respect
• Achamaniya – Offer water for sipping for Purity.
• Snana - Offer water as symbolic bath for Cleansing.
• Vastra - Offer cloth or imagine new dress for Dignity.
• Pushpa – Offer flowers as a Devotion.
• Dhoop - Offer incense to purify air and mind.
• Deepa – Show Lamp to removes darkness (ignorance).
• Naivedya – Offer food, sweets, fruits as a Gratitude.
• Tambulam – Offer betel leaves & nuts (optional)      Completion of meal
• Aarti  Lamp waved in circles with ringing bell Joy and reverence
• Namaskara   Bow or prostrate   Surrender and devotion
• Mantra Japa or Bhajan
• Pradakshina & Namaskar - Walk around the deity (usually 3 or 7 times) clockwise. Fold hands and offer full-body bow (sashtang pranam) or seated namaskar.
• Prasadam Distribution - The offered food (Naivedya) becomes Prasad – a blessed item. Share it among family and devotees respectfully.
• Shanti Mantra and Conclusion - Seek peace for all beings and close the ritual with gratitude.

Additional Puja Rituals -

1. Abhishekam – ritual bathing of the deity with milk, water, honey, etc.
2. Havan (Homa) – fire ritual for purification and blessings.