Pujas

Puja (alt. pooja) is a Sanskrit term meaning worship or worship service.  During a puja, one or more gods and goddesses are invoked and then praised with hymns and mantras, a recitation of their many names and venerated with offerings. The offerings include a cleansing bath and fresh clothes, kumkum for the forehead a drink and a delicous meal. In this manner Hindus treat the visiting deity with the loving attention they pay a cherished friend or relative who is visiting their home. Among Hindus, hospitality is considered a sacred – and delightful – duty of a householder. In fact it is almost impossible to visit a Hindu home without being offered delicious food and drink.

At Yale our festival pujas are a time of communal worship and feasting on catered Indian fare. They are planned according to the festival calendar. Sitting together and chanting OM as the puja begins inspires feelings of peace and well-being.