Upachara

In Hinduism, upachara (Sanskrit: उपचार; service or courtesy) refers to the offerings and services made to a deity as part of worship.

Although the upcharas differ according to the form of the prayer, a typical list of 16, which parallels the process of welcoming an honoured guest, is as follows:

1. Ahvahana: Invocation of the deity
2. Asana: Offering a seat to the deity
3. Padya: Offering water to wash the feet
4. Arghya: Offering beverage
5. Achamaniya: Offering water to rinse the mouth
6. Snana or abhisekha: Bathing
7. Vastra: Clothing or offering a garment
8. Yagnopavit or Mangalsutra: Putting on the sacred thread
9. Anulepana or gandha: Sprinkling with perfume
10. Pushpa: Offering flowers
11. Dhupa: Burning incense
12. Dipa or Aarti: Waving of an oil lamp in front of the deity
13. Naivedya: Offering food
14. Namaskara or pranama: Reverential prostration or salutation
15. Parikrama or Pradakshina. Circumambulation
16. Visarjana: Taking leave.