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Puja ceremony for the opening of the Community Development Center
Tatjana PetersThe Bachan Community Development Center, which we are building as part of the joint project with Gebeco and Fernweh Fair Travel in the Indian Himalayan region around Chamoli, has now been officially opened. The opening was celebrated with a traditional Indian puja ceremony.
What does "puja" mean?
"Puja" is Sanskrit and means something like "worship" or "homage" or simply "celebration".
The opening puja for new projects, buildings or companies is a time-honoured tradition and marks the start of a business venture. Divine blessings are requested for prosperity and success as well as positive energy for the new business or project, which are considered particularly important for the growth and stability of a company.
What requirements should be observed for a "puja"?
the choice of an auspicious date and time (determined by consulting a Hindu calendar or an experienced priest so that the date and time coincide with the astrological positions for success),
the correct performance of the rituals, such as lighting the ceremonial lamp. Lighting the ceremonial lamp, which symbolizes the dispelling of darkness and the introduction of knowledge and understanding,
making offerings (e.g. flowers, fruit or sweets) as a sign of gratitude and devotion,
the distribution of "prasad", a sacred food, is particularly important. It is first offered to the deities and then distributed among the participants, symbolizing the spread of blessings among all those present,
The inclusion of family, co-workers and distinguished guests, which reinforces the communal aspect and importance of the event.
The conclusion of the ceremony is also particularly important, reflecting on the blessings received and reaffirming the positive intentions for the company. Maintaining positive energy for the business can include regular cleaning and tidying of the premises, daily prayers and adherence to ethical business practices to ensure God's continued blessings. Bachan Community Development Center inaugurated with "Puja" ceremony The inaugural puja for our Community Development Center was a great success. It began with a blessing from the local priest, who prayed for the success of our project with the women present from the surrounding villages. Our project coordinator Poonam then discussed the next steps with the women. The aim of the project is to help women generate their own income through tourism and thus become more independent.
