Shodasha Upachara Puja Shodasha Upachara Puja is an essential ritual performed during festivals. It involves 16 steps to honor the deity with devotion and care.
16 Sodasha Upachara Vidhis
- Dhyanam (Prayer) Recite a prayer to focus your mind on the deity.
- Avahanam (Invocation) Invite the God or Goddess into the idol or place of worship.
- Aasanam (Offering a Seat) Offer a seat to the deity.
- Paadyam (Washing of Feet) Pour water to wash the deity’s feet.
- Arghyam (Washing of Hands) Offer water for the deity to wash their hands.
- Aachamanam (Offering Water to Drink) Offer water for the deity to drink.
- Snanam (Bathing) Sprinkle water or bathe the deity with Panchamrutham (a mix of milk, yogurt, ghee, honey, and sugar).
- Vastram (Clothes) and Abharana (Jewelry) Dress the deity in new clothes and adorn with jewelry.
- Yajnopavitam (Sacred Thread) Offer the sacred thread (Yajnopavitam).
- Gandham (Sandal Paste) Apply sandalwood paste on the deity’s forehead.
- Archana (Offering Flowers) Recite 108 names of the deity, offering a flower for each name.
- Dhoopam (Incense) Offer incense.
- Deepam (Oil Lamp) Light an oil lamp, symbolizing the light of divinity.
- Naivedyam (Offering Food) Offer specially prepared food, cooked in dedicated utensils without tasting it.
- Tamboolam (Betel Leaves and Nuts) After the meal, offer betel leaves and nuts.
- Neerajanam (Aarti) Conclude with Aarti to the deity, a ritual of great significance.
