Tantrik Ritual - Puja                                    TANTRA30.TXT
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       "Those who worship with the object of attaining a particular reward
       gain such reward which (however) is as destructible as a kingdom
       acquired in a dream. Those, however, who rightly act without hope of
       reward attain nirvana and are released from rebirth" - Mahanirvana
       Tantra, XIII, 41 (Avalon). 

       Puja
       (worship) can take many forms and is but one aspect of the tradition.
       It can be either performed externally or internally. A tantrik may
       perform daily puja to her or his particular devata and this can be a
       beautiful rite involving all the senses. The daily puja, whatever the
       favoured deity, includes worship of the Sun, Shiva, Shakti, Vishnu and
       Ganesha. For details see Shri Puja and Subhagodaya on this site. The
       main concept in puja is that the god or goddess are considered to be
       actually present in the yantra or image used and are given worship and
       treated as honoured guests. All recitation, mudras and ritual elements
       are given to her/him. Yet she/he is one with the worshipper, not
       separate. Various ritual accessories (upachara) are used in the daily
       ceremony, with the 16 principal items being asana (seat), svagata
       (welcome), padya (water for washing feet), arghya (rice, flowers,
       sandal paste &c), achamana (sipping water), madhuparka (honey, ghee,
       milk, curd), snana (bathing), vasana (clothes), abharana (gems), gandha
       (perfume and sandal), pushpa (flowers), dhupa (incense stick), dipa
       (flame), naivedya (food) and namaskar (prayer). These may be multiplied
       up, depending on the devata. However, despite differences, all daily
       pujas follow a very similar pattern. Other of the many elements in
       daily puja include meditation and recitation of the particular mantra
       of the devata, as well as worship of the Guru, considered to be one
       with Shiva. Other types of worship include optional pujas, usually
       performed for some particular object. According to the tradition, these
       may only be performed if daily puja is also done. In the Kaulachara
       division of tantrika, the puja may take the form of worshipping a
       living human being as incarnating the god/goddess. See Virasadhana for
       more information. Some tantriks also perform their own form of the
       Vedik homa sacrifice, with particular shaped fire-pits for the
       sacrifice. When a sadhaka or sadhvini realises his or her oneness with
       the devata, there is no need for external puja, which can be considered
       a method of realising that oneness.

       The Gayatri. There are tantrik as well as vedik gayatris.

       Rosaries. The mala or rosary is used in reciting the mantra of the
       deity.

       Nyasa or placing. These rites transform the body of the worshipper into
       mantra and devata.

       Yantra. There are many examples of yantras on this site. But turn here
       for information on materials as well as an example of 'installing life'
       into a yantra.