The sankalp
Every puja begins with a sankalp: a statement of intent naming who the puja is for, when and where it is performed, and the purpose it is offered with. This is why the priest asks for your full name and gotra.
Your gotra
Your gotra is your family lineage, traced to a rishi. Families usually learn it from elders or family records. If you do not know your gotra, it is common practice to use Kashyap gotra, and the priest will guide you.
Visiting a temple
- Dress modestly and follow the temple's dress code.
- Remove footwear where asked, and keep phones on silent.
- Follow the queue and the instructions of the temple staff.
- Ask before taking photographs; many temples do not allow them in the sanctum.
- Walk around the shrine (pradakshina) in a clockwise direction.
- Receive prasad with the right hand, and never waste it.
Booking a puja respectfully
- Share correct names and gotra for the sankalp.
- Choose a date that suits the occasion, and check the Panchang.
- Pay only through official channels and never share an OTP or PIN.
- Remember that a puja is an offering of devotion, not a guarantee of an outcome.
© 2026 Aaradhya. Free to read, print and share for personal, non-commercial use. Traditions vary; follow your family priest for formal rituals.