Steps of a Puja - ॐ नम: शिवाय:

Steps of a Puja
Each and every sect, family or an individual have their own way of doing Puja. Every time when you say ''samarpayami'' (I m offering), offer two akshatha with love and devotion to the lord.
(Akshatha is uncooked rice; if possible color it with kumkum, saffron powder, turmeric and a little bit of water. This can be made for a week in advance and can be kept near the Alter)
A typical Puja involves the following 27 steps:

• Dhyaanam Samarpayami (Think or meditate on the Lord)
• Aawaahanam Samarpayami (Offering invitation the Lord)
• Aasanam Samarpayami (Offer a seat to the Lord)
• Paadyam Samarpayami (Offer water to wash the feet)
• Arghyam Samarpayami (Offer water to wash the hands)
• Aachamaneeyam Samarpayami (Offer water to drink)
• Snaanam Samarpayami (Give bath to the Lord)
• Maha Abhishekam Samarpayami (Give main head bath to the Lord)
• Pratishtaapayaami (Make him seated)
• Vasthram Samarpayami (Offer clothes to the Lord)
• Yajnopaveetham Samarpayami (Offer the Holy Thread)
• Gandham Samarpayami (Offer sandalwood paste/powder)
• Akshatham Samarpayami (Offer Akshatha/ Rice)
• Pushpam Samarpayami (Offer Flowers to the Lord)
• Ashthothtra Poojam Samarpayami (Offer the holy 108 names)
• Dhoopam Aaghraapayaami (Offer Fragrance / Agarbatti)
• Deepam Darshayaami (Offer light to the lord)
• Neivedyam Samarpayami (Offer Food to the Lord)
• Phalam Samarpayami (Offer Fruits to the Lord)
• Taamboolam Samarpayami (Offer betel nut and leaves)
• Dakshinam Samarpayami (Offer money to the Lord)
• Maha Nirajanam Samarpayami (Offer aarti to the Lord)
• Pradakshinam Samarpayami (Taking clockwise rounds of arti)
• Namaskaram Samarpayami (Offer Prostrations)
• Mantra Pushpam Samarpayami (Offer incantations and flowers)
• Praarthanaam Samarpayami (Offer prayers, request your desires)
• Kshamaapanam Samarpayami (Offer apologies & ask for forgiveness)