I spent one month in India traveling mostly in the Rajasthan province and met many fascinating people along the way. This man is an archaka (Hindu Priest) in a temple near the Amber Fort in Jaipur.
His primary responsibility is to conduct daily prayers (puja) at the temple. During Hindu festivals, traditional events such as weddings, the sacred thread ceremony, performance of last rites and special deity ceremonies, priests are called upon to conduct puja’s either at the temple or at the location of the event. In order to perform these puja’s, the priests are required to have prior skills and knowledge. To be a qualified priest, they must know the required chants (mantras) fluently in Sanskrit and be familiar with the materials required to perform the puja for various ceremonies and rituals.