Hindu priest

A Hindu priest may refer to either of the following:

• A Pujari (IAST: Pūjārī) or an Archaka is a Hindu temple priest.

• A Purohita (IAST: Purōhita) officiates and performs rituals and ceremonies, and is usually linked to a specific family or, historically, a dynasty.

Traditionally, priests have predominantly come from the Brahmin varna, whose male members are designated for the function in the Hindu texts.

Hindu priests are known to perform prayer services, often referred to as puja. Priests are identified as pandits or pujaris amongst the devotees.