A simple prayer before the deity with hands folded and placed near the heart is the most common form of praying in Hindu religion. But there are also various other acts that Hindus perform while praying like lighting the lamp, offering flowers and leaves, burning camphor or offering food etc. In Hinduism, each act performed has a symbolic meaning. Sprinkling of Water and Sipping while doing Puja Sprinkling of water symbolically performs the purification of the surroundings. Sipping of water is purification of oneself. Lighting of Lamp It symbolizes removal of ignorance and ushering in of knowledge. The wick in the traditional oil lamp symbolizes ego and the oil or ghee used symbolizes our negative tendencies. When we are lit by self knowledge, the negative tendencies (oil) melt away and finally the ego (wick) perishes. ( More details in this post ) Burning of Camphor Burning of camphor symbolizes the destruction of our egos and arrogance. When ego