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How To Pray For Beginners In Hinduism

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How to Pray for Beginners in Hinduism

Praying in Hinduism is a deeply personal and spiritual practice that connects individuals with the divine. It can be done in many forms, from simple prayers and offerings to more elaborate rituals and pujas. For beginners, it's important to approach prayer with sincerity and devotion, rather than focusing on perfection or complexity. Below is a guide that includes basic steps for daily prayers, puja rituals, mantras, the ideal gods or goddesses to worship, and practical tips for modern life.

Basic Steps for Prayer (Simple Puja Steps)

  1. Preparation:

    • Choose a Clean Space: Set aside a peaceful and clean area in your home for prayers (it can be a small table or shelf).
    • Wash Yourself: Cleanliness is important in Hindu rituals, so take a bath or at least wash your hands and feet before prayer.
    • Gather Essentials:
      • Offerings: Flowers, fruits, incense (agarbatti), a lamp (diya), and water.
      • Items: A small bell, sandalwood paste, turmeric, and kumkum (vermilion).

  2. Clothes to Wear:

    • Traditionally, white, yellow, and saffron-colored clothes are considered auspicious for prayers. For men, a simple dhoti or kurta-pajama is ideal, while women can wear sarees or salwar kameez. Cotton or natural fabrics are preferable as they represent purity.
    • Color symbolism:
      • White for purity and peace.
      • Yellow for knowledge and auspiciousness.
      • Saffron for devotion and spirituality.

  3. Setting Up the Altar (Puja):

    • Place idols or pictures of your chosen deities on the altar.
    • Light the diya (lamp) to symbolize the removal of darkness (ignorance) and lighting the path of wisdom.
    • Burn incense to purify the atmosphere.

  4. Offerings (Naivedyam):

    • Offer fresh fruits, flowers, and sometimes sweets like ladoos or other simple food items to the deities.

  5. Praying with Mantras:

    • Start by invoking Lord Ganesha, who removes obstacles, with the mantra:
      • Om Gan Ganapataye Namah (ॐ गण गणपतये नमः)
    • Follow with prayers to other deities of your choice (see the ideal gods and mantras below).

  6. Meditation or Silent Prayer:

    • Sit quietly for a few minutes after reciting the mantras. Close your eyes and focus on the divine, reflecting on positive thoughts or offering your gratitude to the deity.

  7. Conclusion of Puja:

    • Close the puja by offering aarti (waving a lamp in a circular motion in front of the deities) and distributing prasadam (the food offering) to family members.

Ideal Gods or Goddesses to Worship

  1. Lord Ganesha – The remover of obstacles, often worshipped at the beginning of any new venture or prayer.

    • Mantra: "Om Gan Ganapataye Namah" (ॐ गण गणपतये नमः)

  2. Lord Shiva – The destroyer and transformer, symbolizing both destruction and rebirth.

    • Mantra: "Om Namah Shivaya" (ॐ नमः शिवाय)
    • You can offer bilva leaves, water, and milk to a Shiva Lingam.

  3. Lord Vishnu – The preserver and protector of the universe.

    • Mantra: "Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya" (ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय)
    • You can offer yellow flowers and fruits, especially on Thursdays.

  4. Goddess Durga – The mother goddess representing strength and protection.

    • Mantra: "Om Dum Durgayei Namah" (ॐ दुं दुर्गायै नमः)
    • You can offer red flowers and light a lamp with ghee.

  5. Goddess Lakshmi – The goddess of wealth, prosperity, and abundance.

    • Mantra: "Om Shreem Mahalakshmiyei Namah" (ॐ श्रीं महालक्ष्म्यै नमः)
    • Fridays are considered auspicious for Lakshmi worship, and you can offer white flowers and sweets like kheer.

  6. Goddess Saraswati – The goddess of knowledge, wisdom, and arts.

    • Mantra: "Om Aim Saraswatyai Namah" (ॐ ऐं सरस्वत्यै नमः)
    • You can offer white flowers and light incense in the morning.

  7. Lord Hanuman – The symbol of devotion, courage, and strength.

    • Mantra: "Om Hanumate Namah" (ॐ हनुमते नमः)
    • Offer red flowers and read the Hanuman Chalisa.

  8. Lord Muruga (Kartikeya) – The god of war and victory, worshipped for strength and success.

    • Mantra: "Om Saravanabhavaya Namah" (ॐ सरवनभवाय नमः)
    • You can offer red flowers and fruits like bananas.

Simple Prayers (Shlokas and Mantras)

  1. Morning Prayer (Sanskrit) – Upon waking:

    • "Karagre Vasate Lakshmi, Karamadhye Saraswati | Karamule Tu Govinda, Prabhate Kara Darshanam ||"
    • Meaning: On the tip of your hands resides Goddess Lakshmi (wealth), in the middle resides Saraswati (knowledge), and at the base is Govinda (Lord Vishnu, representing sustenance).

  2. Prayer to Start the Day (English):

    • "Oh Divine Lord, guide me today in my thoughts, words, and actions. May all I do be an offering to you, bringing peace and love to the world."

Practical Steps for Modern Times

  • Flexibility with Time: While traditional pujas can take time, you can also perform a simple prayer within 5-10 minutes each morning, lighting a diya, offering water, and chanting a short mantra.
  • Digital Tools: There are apps available with mantras, puja guides, and even virtual offerings if you are unable to maintain a physical space.
  • Chanting on the Go: You can chant mantras in your mind while commuting, walking, or even doing daily chores. The key is to remember the divine throughout your day.
  • Sustainable Offerings: In modern times, consider eco-friendly offerings like planting a tree or avoiding non-biodegradable puja items like plastic.

Rare Facts About Hindu Worship

  1. Importance of Sound: The vibrations of mantras are believed to purify the space and the mind. Chanting even for a few minutes daily can have calming effects.
  2. Chakras and Energy: Certain mantras, such as "Om Namah Shivaya," are associated with activating specific energy centers (chakras) in the body.
  3. Use of Flowers and Leaves: Each flower or leaf has its own significance. For example, Tulsi (holy basil) is sacred to Vishnu, and Bilva leaves are offered to Lord Shiva as they are said to represent his divine energy.
  4. Days for Worship: Different deities are worshipped on specific days. For instance, Mondays are ideal for Shiva, Thursdays for Vishnu, Fridays for Lakshmi, and Saturdays for Hanuman.


Prayer in Hinduism can be a simple and heartfelt experience. Whether through reciting mantras, offering flowers, or meditating quietly, the key is bhakti (devotion). By integrating a few daily practices with sincerity, you can build a spiritual connection that brings peace, balance, and a sense of purpose to your life.