Archana (Hinduism)

Archana is a special, personal, abbreviated puja done by temple priests in which the name, birth star and family lineage of a devotee are recited to invoke individual guidance and blessings. Archana also refers to chanting the names of the Deity, which is a central part of every puja. The Sanskrit meaning is "honouring, praising."

Archana is also a common Indian female name. It means adoring, worshipping one or dedicated.

Worship in Hinduism
Main topics
  • Aarti
  • Bhajan
  • Darśana
  • Deities
  • Festivals
  • Homa (Yajna)
  • Kirtan
  • Mantra
  • Murti
  • Tilaka
  • Utsava
  • Vrata
  • Yatra
Rituals
Puja
  • Abhisheka
  • Bhog
  • Naivedhya
  • Panchamakara
  • Panchamrita
  • Parikrama
  • Pranāma
  • Prasad
  • Pushpanjali
Homa
  • Yajna
  • Agnicayana
  • Agnihotra
  • Agnikaryam
  • Aupasana
  • Dhuni
  • Kaamya karma
  • Pravargya
  • Purushamedha
  • Putrakameshti
  • Viraja Homa
Other
  • Achamana
  • Archana
  • Ashirvad
  • Ashvamedha
  • Darśana
  • Karmkand
  • Kumbhabhishekham
  • Nitya karma
  • Prana pratishta
  • Sandhyavandanam
  • Shuddhi
  • Śrauta
  • Upakarma
Prayer and meditation
  • Ajapa japa
  • Bhajan
  • Brahmamuhurtha
  • Jagran
  • Jai Sri Ram
  • Japa
  • Kirtan
  • Mantra
  • Om
  • Sandhyavandanam
  • Shaktipat
  • Stotra
  • Third eye
  • Yoga
Objects
  • Altar
  • Banalinga
  • Banana leaf
  • Biruda
  • Coconut
  • Dhunachi
  • Dhuni
  • Dhupa
  • Diya (light)
  • Fly-whisk
  • Garland
  • Ghanta
  • Joss stick
  • Kalasha
  • Kamandalu
  • Khirapat
  • Kindi (vessel)
  • Paduka
  • Palki
  • Panchamrita
  • Pandal
  • Hindu prayer beads
  • Rangoli
  • Shankha
  • Tilaka
  • Upanayana
  • Uthsavar
  • Yagnopaveetham
Materials
  • Agarwood
  • Alta
  • Camphor
  • Charu
  • Ghee
  • Incence
  • Kumkum
  • Marigold
  • Milk
  • Panchakavya
  • Rudraksha
  • Sandalwood
  • Sindoor
  • Soma
  • Tulsi
  • Turmeric
  • Vibhuti
Instruments
  • Dholak
  • Harmonium
  • Karatalas
  • Khol
  • Manjira
  • Mridangam
  • Tabla
Iconography
  • Lingam
  • Murti
  • Om
  • Sila (murti)
  • Swastika
  • Yoni
  • More...
Places
  • Ashram
  • Ghat
  • Kalyani
  • Matha
  • Temple
People
  • Guru
  • Pandit
  • Pujari
  • Rishi
  • Sadhu
  • Sannyasa
  • Swami
  • Yogi
  • More...
Animal worship
Snake worship
  • Nāga
  • Nag Panchami
  • Nagaradhane
  • Nagavanshi
  • Sarpa Kavu
Other
  • Cattle in religion
  • Ganesha
  • Hanuman
  • Narasimha
  • Shvan (dogs)
  • Vahana
Plant worship
Sacred trees
  • Akshayavat
  • Ashoka
  • Banyan
  • Kadamba
  • Kalpavriksha
  • Parijaat
  • Peepal
  • Sacred groves
Other
  • Bael
  • Kusha grass
  • Lotus
  • Tulsi
    • Tulsi chaura
    • Tulsi Vivah
Other
  • Firewalking
  • Temple dance