1. Why do we light the Lamp? The Traditional oil lamp or ghee lamp has a spiritual significance. The oil or ghee symbolises our negative tendencies and the wick our ego. When we light lamps, the negative tendencies slowly get exhausted and ego too perishes. The flame of the lamp always burns upwards, similarly we should acquire knowledge to take us towards higher ideas. 2.Why do we prostrate before elders? We prostrate before Parents and Elders, Teachers, and Gurus to get their blessings by touching their feet, who will in turn bless us by keeping their hands on our head. This blessings bring prosperity in our life. 3.Why do we observe a Fast? This is a self imposed form of discipline. It is mainly adhered to with joy. It helps in controlling our senses and guides our mind to be poised and at peace. But at the same time fasting should not make us weak and irritable. Old people, pregnant women and children need not fast. The famous Kabir Das was against the idea of fasting. I have read stories in my childhood, that he used to have a full meal and only then start his prayers. His ideology, was that if you are hungry, you tend to pray faster, becos you have hunger pranks. On the otherhand, if you are satiated, then prayer will flow like a river. Great Thoughts indeed. 4.Why do we do “Pradakshnam”? We cannot draw a circle without a centre point. The Lord is the centre, source and essence of our lives. Recognizing Him is the focal point of our lives, we go about doing our daily chores. Then every point on the circumference of a circle is equal distance from the center. This means all of us are equally, close to the Lord. So we do pradakshanam in a clockwise manner going round the temple to make our life prosperous and Him to guide us to lead a virtuous life. 5.Why do we offer food to Lord? We call the offering of food to the Lord as “Neivedyam”. We chant the following mantras while sprinkling water and flowers on the “Neivedyam”. “Pranaya Swaaha Apanaya Swaaha Vajaanaya Swaaha Udaanaya Swaaha Samanaaya Swaaha Brahmane Swaaha” After offering food to Lord thus, it is eaten as Prasaada--The blessed food. 6. Why do we worship Kalasa? ”Kalasa” a brass,copper or mud pot filled with water. Mango leaves are placed in the mouth of the pot and coconut is also placed over it, red or white thread is tied around it neck or sometimes all around pt in a intricate diamond shape pattern. This pot when filled with water or rice is known as “Purna-kumba”. The water in the Kalasa symbolises the primordial water from which the entire creation emerged. The leaves and coconut attribute the creation. The thread represents the love that binds all creations. That is why Kalasa is considered auspicious and takes an important part in all religious functions in Hindu families. 7. Why do we do “Harathi” at the end of Pujas? We often perform “Haraathi” with camphor. Camphor when it burns speed,emits a pleasant fragrance and burns completely without leaving a spot. Like that our Ego which creates individuality in us and separates us from Lord should also burn completely like the camphor leaving nothing of ego behind. After Araathi we place our hands over the flame and then touch our eyes and top of our head. The above script has been translated by me, from a book released by the Kanchi Mutt. Kutty