Source: Article “Riturals in Pooja”, Rishimukh Aug 2004
Pooja is a special form of worship, which involves an offering of a material object/the mind/the body/the soul to God. Pooja when done properly guides oneself towards God. It is a two way motion that brings the worshipper and the worshipped closer.
In the pooja ritual of Ganesh images are made easily with turmeric paste of sandal. There in no rule regarding the form. Breaking coconuts, tapping the forehead by crossing the hands and holding the ears with crossed hands are important aspects in Ganesha worship. This process involves bending of knees, holding the ears with crossed hands; and by this body movement, the sukshuma nadi is activated. When you tap on both sides of the forehead, the nectar in that region (sahasrara) is made to flow throughout the body. Through this action knowledge dawns effortlessly.
There is and old tradition of gazing at the early morning sun and late evenings while standing in the river. The human body has photosensitive cells that help absorb the sun’s rays to activate some of the prominent charkas in the body.e.g.’ agna chakra – in between the two eyebrows, connected to the pituitary gland.
How long to gaze? As long as it takes for water to drain through your fingers with both palms held together- a few seconds. This is the significance of the ancient practice of draining water through your fingers while standing in the river.