INO Glossary: Puja
The word puja is commonly translated as worship or adoration. It is the act of showing reverence to a god, a spirit, or another aspect of the divine through invocations, prayers, songs, and rituals. During puja, an image (murti) or other symbol of the deity often serves as a means of accessing the divine. The icon is not the deity itself, but rather a focal point for honoring and communicating with the divine.
Puja often includes aarti (the waving of lights and incense around an image), mudra (devotional gestures), mantra (chanting), and recitations from sacred texts.
The word puja can also refer to an altar featuring images of the Guru and/or deity, along with many of the ritual objects used in worship.