Pūjā and the upacāras — offerings of hospitality

Pūjā treats the deity as an honoured guest. The offerings are called upacāras. The short form, pañcopacāra, has five: sandal paste (gandha), flowers (puṣpa), incense (dhūpa), lamp (dīpa) and food (naivedya).

The fuller ṣoḍaśopacāra has sixteen, adding invitation, a seat, water for the feet and hands, bathing, clothing, the sacred thread and more. Lists vary slightly between manuals. Whatever the number, the idea is the same: welcome, serve and honour.

Pañcopacāra = 5 · Ṣoḍaśopacāra = 16

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