What is a Pooja?

A Pooja can be loosely translated as a “religious ceremony.”  However, in a general sense, a Pooja can be any action done for the purpose of serving God.  The most important part is the intent behind the action.

From a practical standpoint, a Pooja can be as simple as sitting in front of God and meditating with an offering of even plain water.  A Pooja can be as complex and elaborate as witnessed at Hindu weddings or temples during special occasions.  It can include (but does not have to include) recitation of mantras, a holy fire, vows, and music.

A Pooja can be done for various reasons.  It can be a part of one’s daily routine to enhance one’s connection with God.  It can be done as one way of demonstrating gratitude towards God.  It can be done for the purpose of receiving blessings when starting a new endeavor.  It can also be done for various events during the Hindu calendar such as during Navratri and Diwali.  In general, a Pooja can be done for any purpose with the basic premise of connecting with God.

Another aspect of a Pooja was the development good relationships and connecting a community.  Often during major events, a Pooja would be done at someone’s home and all family, friends, neighbors, et al would be welcome.  Many events in today’s world are for the purpose of “networking” and establishing relationships to benefit oneself.  However, during the time of a Pooja, the idea was to build strong, self-less relationships to strengthen the larger community at hand.

A Pooja also served as a venue to share knowledge and guidance.  The Priest leading the Pooja would often advise the participants in the Pooja or community at large regarding good practices or endeavors for spiritual progression.  In today’s world, we have become less reliant on individuals and more reliant on impersonal sources such as the internet for information.  However, a Pooja is for the purpose of passing on knowledge, not just information.

In general, a Pooja is an effort by an individual or individuals to connect with God through any action with pure intentions.  This action may involve a single individual or an entire community, may be part of a daily routine or a special event, and may be simple or elaborate.  The primary intent though will be common throughout.