Pooja or Pujan as it is sometimes called, is the performance of Prayers in the Hindu relegion. The performance of these prayers are quite elaborate and the methodology varies according to the Gender of the deity being worshipped.

The person or persons who are listening to these prayers and participating in same, must ceremoniously cleanse himself before taking part in the proceedings. Having consulted with their family priest, they must get all the necessary requirements for this event and perform the ceremony with faith and devotion.

Purification of the participant is first done by the Pandit (priest) and then the proceedings will commence.

The Pandit recites the corresponding Mantras and purifies the devotee's seat. He then purifies the Samagree or the articles of worship. He washes the hands of the devotee and places a ring made from the sacred Khush Grass on the middle finger of the right hand of the devotee. Pandit Ji then solicits the blessings of the various Devtas and performs the invocation and the Pooja now officially commences.

The Vedas, the Puranas and the Shastras (the authoritative texts) recommend that worship unto the Devtas (deities) be done primarily utilizing the technique of Shodasoopchar. Shodasoopchar is the method of worship whereby which the worshipper performs a minimum of 16 steps of worship to the Devtas,accompanied by the corresponding mantras.

The following are for Purushshuktam or Devta worship. Though it exceeds 16 steps of worship, it provides the requirements for a complete pooja.

Aawahan	Inviting of the Devta
Aasanam	The offering of a seat to the Devta
Paadyam	The washing of the Devta's feet
Arghyam	Water for washing hands
Aachamaneeyam	Water for rinsing the mouth
Panchaamrita Snan	Bathing the murti with nectar comprising of dahee (curds), milk, ghee (cow's butter), honey and sugar
Udvartan Snaan Devi pooja only	Offering scented water or perfume
Shud Jal Snaan	Bathing the murti with purified water
Vastra	Offering of clothing
Aachamaneeyam	same as above
Yagyopaveetam	Offering of the sacred cord (Janew)
Chandan	Offering sandalpaste
Sowbhagya Sutra Devi pooja only	Offering Mangal Sutra or jewels
Akshat	White rice coloured with Kum Kum
Mala or Pushpam	Offering of garlands of flowers or just flowers
Durva or Doob	The offering of dew grass
Sowbhagya Dravya	The offering of Kajal, Haldee, sindoor and Kum Kum.This can be offered separately or all mixed together.
Dhoop	The offering of incence
Deep Daan	The performance of Aartee or the waving of lights with a deeya (earthen lamp) or any similar instrument
Naivedyam or Madhuparkham	Offering Prasad most acceptable to that particular Devta or a composition of honey, ghee and sugar
Aaachamaneeyam	Water for rinsing the mouth
Phalam	Offering sooparie, desert
Tambool	Offering betel-leaves (paan) with other spices for cleansing and scenting of the mouth
Dakshina	Offering money
Nirajanam	Offering a light
Pushpanjali	Offering flowers.