According to the Smithsonian Institution, Hindu prayer, called mantras, occurs daily. This is a part of a larger branch of worship, called puja. The BBC states that puja is an individual act, rather than a communal one.
Puja involves the worship of an icon within either the home or temple. Most Hindu homes retain a shrine serving this purpose. A shrine can be nearly anything. Examples include a small room, an altar or a collection of pictures or statues that represent the icon. Pilgrimage is a vital component of Hinduism. Sacred sites across India, such as mountains and rivers, serve as pilgrimage sites for Hindus.
