Pujas
View our temple opening times and special events calendar. Learn about the power and purpose of temple pujas and connect to the Divine through this sacred form of worship.
Puja Times & Festival Calendar
- The Lord Murugan and Maha Shakti Temples are closed outside of puja times.
- The Sri Ranganatha Temple, Shirdi Sai Temple, and Samadhi of Guru Sri Subramanium are open all day.
The purpose of Temple Puja
Temple pujas are designed to align the body, mind, and spirit with the Divine. They create a purified atmosphere for personal transformation, offering an opportunity to experience darshan—the sacred moment of seeing and being seen by God. This connection can be deeply transformative, bringing peace and clarity.
The Role of Rituals in Puja
Rituals are central to temple pujas. Actions such as offering flowers, lighting incense, and chanting mantras purify the space and focus the mind. These practices invite participants to engage fully in the moment, fostering mindfulness and devotion.
Every detail, from the ringing of bells to the rhythmic recitation of sanskrit prayers carries a deep intention. By participating in these rituals, we can let go of everyday distractions, opening ourselves to the Divine.
The Experience of Darshan
Darshan is more than a visual exchange; it is an intimate, spiritual connection. Through darshan, we can feel the presence of the Divine within and around us. We experience peace, gratitude, and a sense of belonging to something much greater than ourselves.
Puja and Community
Temple puja is also a shared experience. Participating in rituals with others creates a sense of unity and collective purpose. This shared devotion reinforces the understanding that the Divine resides within everyone and everything.
A Path to Spiritual Growth
Beyond the rituals, temple puja serves as a powerful reminder of the interconnectedness of all beings and the sacredness of life itself. It encourages us to cultivate a spirit of compassion and service in our daily lives, inspired by the divine love we encounter during worship.
Through this practice, we are not only spiritually uplifted but also equipped to carry divine qualities—like love and kindness—into our interactions with the world.
What to Do in Puja
During puja, we encourage everyone to remain focused and mindful; please refrain from talking. It is much better when we join together in devotional worship—chanting and singing as one (the words for mantras and bhajans are provided on-screen or in print for your convenience).
While it’s good to seek blessings for material prosperity and the health and well-being of your loved ones, remember that the most profound experiences occur in the silence of the heart. This inner communion creates harmony and balance in your life, driving you forward on your path of evolution.
How We Worship: Prayer, Mantra & Bhajan
Daily pujas
During daily pujas, the temple pujari leads the congregation in chanting vedic mantras and prayers, lighting lamps, singing bhajans (devotional hymns), and make offerings such as flowers, fruits, vegetables, and rice. The ritual includes aarti, where the pujari offers light in the form of flame, followed by the sharing of prasadam (blessed food).
Monthly Mahabishekams
Aligned with the lunar calendar, our monthly Mahabishekams are intricate rituals where temple murthis (idols) are anointed with sacred offerings like honey, milk, yoghurt, haldi (turmeric) water, and vibhuti (sacred ash). These rituals are performed with great focus and devotion to elevate and empower those present.
Annual Festivals
Our annual festivals celebrate significant dates from the Hindu, Buddhist, and Christian calendars. Devotees often prepare themselves through vows, fasting, pilgrimage, and other austerities to gain darshan of the Divine during these especially powerful events.
“In Hinduism we worship God with light. We take a light, offer it to God and say: Oh Lord, you are that light, fill me with your light. Oh Lord, your composition is of the ether, and hence we blow the conch to represent ether. Oh Lord, you are manifest in the earth – hence we worship God with flowers and incense. Oh Lord, you are Vayu, your manifestation is in the wind. Oh Lord, you are the water. You can heal us, you can purify us. You are manifest in all of these elements.”