Smārta and paurāṇika rites — pūjā as we know it

Smārta rites draw on the Smṛtis, and paurāṇika rites on the Purāṇas and Āgamas. Together they give us image worship with upacāras, festivals, vratas, kathās such as the Satyanārāyaṇa Kathā, and much of temple ritual.

Paurāṇika mantras and stotras are often in simpler Sanskrit or in regional languages, which is one reason this form became the everyday practice of most households.

Karmakāṇḍa — the ritual way · Ask a Jyotishi your own question