The Evolution of Indian Puja

The different kinds of India puja that are performed by Hindus can make for a fascinating study. There are daily, earnest pujas done at home by bhaktas, and more elaborate ones done at temples, often several times a day. While in pujas done at home, it is believed that the deity is a guest every day, in temple pujas, the deity is supposed to be a resident who is to be awakened every morning. This leads to the following of differing rituals in these pujas. Perhaps the most spectacular are temple pujas done on specific, special days, such as during Dussehra, Navratri etc. While there are many ways in which these pujas are different, they are united by the fact that they are all done to honour deities and to ask them for their blessings.

 

The evolution of the puja is equally interesting, too. In the Vedic times, the puja rituals were very different from how they are today, and consisted of many kinds of sacrifices. Pujas were performed mainly to remember departed ancestors and to pray for peace for them, and to welcome guests. Eventually, by about the 6th century, deity worship became an inseparable part of pujas.

 

Today, pujas are performed not only as a daily ritual, but also in times of need. There are ancient puja temples dedicated to deities who are known to help bhaktas in various situations. For example, a puja for a good job or a promotion is very popular these days among pious Hindus. The 21^st century, too, has had its effects on the performing of puja rituals: there are some temples where people pray for hassle-free visa permits! Certainly, when the puja is done sincerely and with belief in the deity, there is nothing impossible, and all obstacles can be removed from the life of the bhakta