How to do Daily Puja at Home?

February 03,2026 | Added by: Astro Editorial Team

Procedure of Everyday Normal Puja

All of us who are Hindus perform daily puja to our chosen deity. However, with the new generation, that interest has diminished, but even today, some people still perform daily puja. The procedure for worshipping the deity is generally similar to the ancient tradition of hospitality. In this, we invoke the deity and offer various items as a gesture of service and respect.

However, there are two steps to performing deity worship: 1) Self-purification or sanctification and meditation-prayer. 2) Purification or sanctification of the puja materials used to worship the deity.

In addition, the ritual also includes invoking a divine feeling in both oneself and the objects used. Along with the rituals, the process of chanting mantras generally involves both Vedic and worldly mantras. Vedic mantras are generally philosophical in nature, and over time, they came to be used in rituals.

From a ritualistic perspective, there are two main types of puja:

1) Panchopachara and

2) Shodashopachara puja.

Panchopachara Puja

Panchopachara puja requires the following items:

Panchopachar puja include Incense, lamp, flowers, offerings (Naivedya), sandalwood or tilak these five items are essential.

Shodashopachara Puja Items

Shodashopachar include Incense, lamp, flowers, offerings (Naivedya), sandalwood (Gandha), Roli, Moli, Kalawa, clothing, ornaments (jewellery), Kumkum, turmeric, Akshat, perfume, Ganges water, and Dakshina (offering).

But according to the scriptures, the 16 treatments or Shodashopachar are as follows:

Meditation, Invocation, Asana (seat), Padya (washing of feet), Arghya (offering of water), Achamana (sipping of water), Snana (bathing), Vastra (clothing), Yagyopaveeta (sacred thread), Gandha (sandalwood paste), Pushpa (flowers), Dhoopa (incense), Deepa (lamp), Naivedya (food offering), Tambula (betel leaf), Aarti, and Dakshina (offering). This was the 16-step puja ritual for all gods and goddesses. If you are performing Devi Puja, then "16 Shringar," which consists of cosmetic items used for adornment, is offered to the goddess.

There is no single uniform procedure that can be prescribed for worship, as the process may vary depending on the occasion and the deity. We all know that devotion has no limitations. Lord Sri Krishna himself said to Arjuna, Hey Arjun! "There is no prescribed method for worshipping me.

People can worship me in any form, with any feeling. I don't need offerings of elaborate food every day. If someone offers me water or flowers or leaves with devotion, that is more than enough for me." Therefore, there are no specific rules and regulations that can standardize the feeling of devotion, because that is impossible.

Nevertheless, our sages and ascetics, through meditation and spiritual practice, have created some rules for attaining God, and we have been following them to this day.

Before the commencement of every puja, the following rituals must be performed:

Self-purification, purification of the seat, wearing of the sacred thread, worship of the earth, taking a vow, worship of the lamp, worship of the conch shell, worship of the bell, recitation of auspicious verses, etc.

During the puja, the ground, clothes, and seat should be clean and pure. It is also necessary to purify everything with mantras.
A square, rangoli, or mandap should be made as needed. This is mandatory if a havan or yagna is to be performed.
According to tradition, the auspicious time (muhurta) for the puja can be considered for any auspicious work.
Ideally, during the puja, the Yajman (the person performing the puja) should sit facing north. If this is not convenient, they can sit facing east. The priest should sit facing east; if this is not possible, they can sit facing east or north.
If the Yajman is married, the wife should sit to the left of her husband, with their garments tied together.
During the puja, the priest or the Yajman should perform the following as needed:
- Anganyasa (placing hands on different parts of the body),
- Karanyasa (placing hands on different parts of the hands),
- Use of mudras (hand gestures), etc.

If you want to perform a puja at home, the “16-Step Puja” might be a bit difficult for you. In that case, I would suggest the “5-Step Puja” (Panchopachar), which is less expensive and can be easily performed at home by yourself.

Frequent Asked Questions(FAQs)

For daily worship, one may dedicate anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes, or even up to an hour. It would be even more beneficial if you were to incorporate a little meditation alongside your worship.

The best time for worship is considered to be between 4:00 AM and 5:30 AM in the morning. This specific period is known as the “Brahma Muhurta”.

If, due to unavoidable circumstances, you are unable to perform your worship, it is not a cause for concern. Simply offer your salutations to your Deity and convey to them, saying, "O Lord, I am unable to perform Your worship today" while explaining the reason for your inability. However, you should always strive to ensure that you do not miss your daily worship on any day, unless such unavoidable circumstances arise.

Yes, bathing purifies our body. This is beneficial not only for Puja but also in general; daily bathing helps prevent premature wrinkles, makes the skin glow, and strengthens one's immunity. However, if for any reason you are unable to bathe, you may still perform the Puja after thoroughly washing your face, hands, and feet.

No, it is highly advisable and excellent to perform the daily Puja yourself within your own home, regardless of your caste. However, if you lack the time or if no one else in the household is able to perform the Puja, you may then enlist the services of a priest.

One should face towards the East or North while performing “Puja”.

1) First, purify yourself by reciting the self-purification mantra; then, perform “Achamana” (ritual sipping of water) to achieve inner purification. Subsequently, you should perform the purification of the seat Asana, the ground called Bhu Shudhi, and the specific area where the worship is taking place.

2) Next, holding Gangajal (holy water from the Ganges), “Akshat” (unbroken rice grains), and a flower in your hands, perform the purification of the Ganesha idol. After the purification is complete, take a small amount of Akshat in your hands, chant the Ganesha mantra 108 times, and then while reciting the “Avahana” (invocation) mantra release the “Akshat” onto the idol slowly.

3) After that, proceed to observe the “Shodashopachara Puja Vidhi” (the ritual of sixteen acts of worship).

During Ganesh Puja, you may offer to the Lord in the form of Naivedya whatever you wish to present with devotion. Specifically, you may offer Motichoor Laddoos, coconuts, Modaks, any five seasonal fruits, Kheer, and various sweets made with milk.

You may keep the Ganesh idol on the puja platform or in the shrine for as many days as you desire. However, it is essential to perform the Visarjan (immersion) of the Ganesh idol by Bhadra Purnima at the very latest. Because the month of “Shradh Period” begins immediately next day of Bhadra Purnima, during which the immersion ceremony is prohibited. Whenever you perform the immersion, ensure you select an auspicious day; for instance, Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday are considered suitable. Additionally, you should avoid performing the immersion on Amavasya (New Moon), “Sankranti”, or “Pratipada Tithi”.

Lord Ganesh should be worshipped using the “Shodashopachara Puja Vidhi” (the sixteen-step ritual).

Lord Ganesh is worshipped on the “Chaturthi Tithi” (the fourth day) of the “Shukla Paksha” (waxing phase of the moon) during the month of “Bhadrapada”.

Ghat Sthapana is performed on the first day of Navratri. Barley is sown in an earthen pot and then a water-filled Kalash is placed on it. A silver coin, Gangajal, some Banaspati herbs like red sandalwood, jatamansi, indrajava, bhimseni camphor, a betel nut, and a lump of turmeric are placed inside the Kalash. Five mango leaves are placed on top of the Kalash, followed by a whole coconut wrapped in a red cloth. Shakti is then invoked, symbolizing prosperity and the beginning of the worship of Goddess Durga. The Kalash is considered the abode of gods and goddesses and is kept lit with an eternal flame for nine days.

For nine days, Mata Durga should be worshipped daily using the Shodashopachara Puja method. If you wish, you can also chant mantras and perform havan after the puja.

There are four Navratris in a year. The Navratri that falls in September-October is called Gupta Navratri, the Navratri that falls in the Magh month of January-February is called Gupta Navratri, the Navratri that falls in Chaitra month of March-April is called Chaitra/Basantika Navratri, the Navratri that falls in the Jyestha month of June-July is called Gupta Navratri.

Gupta Navaratri occurs twice a year. During this Navaratri, a spiritual seeker performs rituals in secret without anyone else's knowledge in order to attain a specific objective. Gupta Navaratri is considered to be of immense significance for spiritual practice.

Sharadiya Navaratri, which falls during the months of September and October, is celebrated with great enthusiasm by people across the globe.

If you wish to observe the Navaratri fast, you should take a Sankalp (vow) on the very first day of Navaratri, specifying exactly how many days you intend to fast. Generally, some people fast for 7 days and break their fast on Ashtami (the eighth day), while others fast for the full 10 days breaking their fast on Dussehra (the tenth day) following the Kanya Pujan ritual.

During Navaratri, Kanya Pujan also known as Kanjak involves revering young girls as embodiments of the Divine Mother. These girls are regarded as the living manifestations of the nine forms of Goddess Durga, collectively known as Navadurga.

Devotees complete their worship by treating girls aged 2 to 10 as the direct embodiment of the Goddess, offering them food and gifts; this practice is believed to bring happiness, prosperity, and deliverance from all adversities in life. This ritual is performed specifically to honor the Goddess and to seek her divine blessings.

Following the nine days of Navaratri worship, the Kalash should be immersed during an auspicious time (Shubh Muhurat) on the Dashami Tithi (the tenth day), or immediately after Mahanavami.

Hold a small amount of Akshat (unbroken rice grains) in your hand. While chanting the following mantra, gradually sprinkle the rice grains over the Kalash:

Mantra:

Gachchha Gachchha Surashreshthe Svasthanam Parameshvari |
Pujaradhanakale Cha Punaragamanaya Cha ||

You may distribute the coconut from the Kalash as Prasad (sacred offering) or immerse it in flowing water, as per your preference. Sprinkle the holy water from the Kalash throughout your home, and immerse the earthen pot itself under a tree or in a river. This ritual is believed to usher in positivity, happiness, and prosperity into the home.

Goddess Durga's has 9 forms and those nine forms worship by devotees during the Navaratri period. They are like following:

Day1: Shailaputri

Day2: Brahmacharini

Day 3: Chandraghanta

Day 4: Kushmanda

Day 5: Skandamata

Day 6: Katyayani

Day 7: Kalaratri

Day 8: Mahagauri

Day 9: Siddhidatri

Diwali Lakshmi Puja is best performed during the Pradosh Kala, specifically within the Sthira Lagna (Fixed Ascendant). The Pradosh Kala is generally considered to fall between 5:45 PM and 8:15 PM in the evening. This time corresponds to the Vrisha Lagna (Taurus Ascendant), which is classified as a "Sthira Lagna" according to Vedic Astrology.

During the days of Diwali, one should not sleep late into the morning. Under no circumstances should you disrespect your parents or elders.

Do not deceive anyone, and do not lie to anyone. Every nook and cranny of the house must be absolutely clean and tidy. One should avoid arguments or discord within the home, and one should not sleep during the evening hours. Refrain from consuming any form of intoxicant, and keep the house clean and well-decorated.

Generally, in North India, Diwali is celebrated over a period of five days, observed as follows:

Day 1: Dhanteras

Day 2: Narak Chaturdashi (Chhoti Diwali)

Day 3: Diwali

Day 4: Govardhan Puja

Day 5: Bhai Dooj

To perform Puja alone at home on Diwali, begin by thoroughly cleaning the entire house.

Next, in the North-East corner of the house, spread a red cloth over a raised platform (Chowki) and install the idols of Lord Ganesha and Goddess Lakshmi.

Light ghee lamps; bathe the idols, apply sandalwood paste and a tilak (sacred mark) to them, and then offer flowers, fruits, and sweets. Finally, perform the worship using incense (dhoop), lamps (deep), and flowers. Conclude the ritual by performing the Aarti (hymn of worship) for Lord Ganesha and Mother Lakshmi, using either camphor or a ghee lamp. Afterward, bow down in reverence and distribute the Prasad (sacred food offering) among everyone present.

Dhanteras falls on the Trayodashi Tithi (thirteenth day) of the Krishna Paksha (waning phase of the moon) during the month of Kartika. It marks the first day of the five-day festival of Diwali. On this day, Lord Dhanvantari, Goddess Lakshmi, and Lord Kubera are worshipped. Purchasing new utensils, gold or silver jewelry, or other items on this day is considered extremely auspicious.

Dhanvantari Trayodashi, is known as Dhanteras. On this day, one should worship Lord Dhanvantari, Goddess Lakshmi, and Lord Kubera. It is considered highly auspicious to purchase gold or silver jewelry, new utensils, coriander seeds, or a broom on this day.

In the evening, a four-faced lamp (Choumukha Deepak) is burned for Lord Yamaraj to pray for the longevity of all family members; during the day, the house is thoroughly cleaned, and in the evening, Lakshmi Pujan (worship of Goddess Lakshmi) is performed.

Chhath Puja is celebrated every year on the Shashthi Tithi or the sixth day) of the Shukla Paksha and waxing phase of the moon during the month of Kartik. It falls exactly six days after Diwali.

During Chhath Puja, the primary deities worshipped are “Surya Dev” hence the name “Surya Shashthi” and “Chhathi Maiya” is Goddess Shasthi. It is believed that Goddess Shasthi always protects children, and worshipping her blesses the household with a male child.

Chhath Puja is a major festival spanning four days, beginning on “Kartik Shukla Chaturthi” is the fourth day and continuing until “Saptami Tithi” is the seventh day. The rituals include:

Day 1: Nahay-Khay;

Day 2: Kharna;

Day 3: Sandhya Arghya (offering to the setting sun); and

Day 4: Usha Arghya (offering to the rising sun). This festival is dedicated to Surya Dev and Chhathi Maiya.

Chhath Puja is a difficult fast that continues for 36 hours without water (Nirjala). Purity holds special significance in this observance, wherein everything is strictly sattvic and pure and wholesome. The ritual begins on the first day with 'Nahay-Khay,' followed by 'Kharna' on the second day; the third day features the 'Sandhya Arghya' and evening offering, and the fast concludes called Parana on the fourth day with the 'Usha Arghya' or morning offering.