In India - What is "pooja"?

Question

We sponsor a ten year old boy from India through Christian Foundation for Children and Aging, a reputable charity. We love receiving letters from Umesh, but one sentence that appears in each of his letters is "My parents and I do pooja for your good health." Because it contains the words "good health" maybe this is a good thing, but we find it slightly disturbing. Can anyone enlighten us on the word pooja?

Answer 1

pooja is worshipping,,,,,,,,,,it is form of a service dedicated to hindu gods.

Answer 2

Pooja is a girls name that also means prayer!

Answer 3

it is just alike as u worship jesus by offering prayers  we worship our god by doing pooja's

Answer 4

Pooja can mean:

This is the results that I got from typing the word in google (from Wikipedia):

Pooja, a popular name

In Hinduism, a pooja is a form of worship, that relates to the dedication and belief.

Pooja, an artist and designer in bangalore

Pooja, an actress.

Pooja, as a person.

Pooja, http://www.pooja.nl .

I'm guessing the form of worship.  Just google it; Other sites are bound to be more detailed.

Answer 5

I'm fairly sure that its a female Indian name, but maybe its something else as well?!

Answer 6

This is the ever old type of worship of Indians chanting some slogans in favour of you..May be call some spirit or Jinny to assist you when you are in trouble.

Answer 7

There is nothing to be disturbed about -- rather, it is something for you to be happy about .

The sponorship foundation/charity  maybe Christian in orientation, as the name itself  suggests, the sponored child however, seems obviously from a Hindu cultural background.  In this culture, there is a spiritual tradition of taking time for worship, offering prayers and paying obeisances to the Lord.  This is referred to as "Pooja".

When Umesh says he and his parents do Pooja for your good health -- it means he and his family pray for your well-being. This is the Indian way of giving thanks in a humble sort of way for your sponsorship --- which they perceive as a blessing, a Divine intervention coming from Providence, through you. Hence in the daily Pooja or prayers there is  thankfulness, and asking for blessings for your good health.

Answer 8

"Pooja" is the Indian term for prayer or worship. It just means that they pray for your good health.