A simple prayer before the deity with hands folded and placed
near the heart is the most common form of praying in Hindu
religion. But there are also various other acts that Hindus
perform while praying like lighting the lamp, offering flowers
and leaves, burning camphor or offering food etc. In Hinduism,
each act performed has a symbolic meaning. Sprinkling of Water
and Sipping while doing Puja Sprinkling of water symbolically
performs the purification of the surroundings. Sipping of water
is purification of oneself. Lighting of Lamp It symbolizes
removal of ignorance and ushering in of knowledge. The wick in
the traditional oil lamp symbolizes ego and the oil or ghee used
symbolizes our negative tendencies. When we are lit by self
knowledge, the negative tendencies (oil) melt away and finally
the ego (wick) perishes. (More details in this post) Burning of
Camphor Burning of camphor symbolizes the destruction of our
egos and arrogance. When ego melts what is left is the pure
Self. Lighting of Incense and Aga