WHAT IS NAAM JAPNA

According to Sikh spiritualism, we can merge with God by singing/saying His praises. Thinking about God, His qualities, His powers etc. is also Naam. Naam is therefore exact equivalent of the English word 'name' which also means

qualities of a thing or person etc. A detailed issue on this is available at

http://www.punjabmonitor.com/2013/05/dookh-rog-santap-utrey-disease-pain.html

please scroll down to 3rd page.

Please also see how derawalas differ on this.
http://www.punjabmonitor.com/2013/07/gurmat-and-deramat.html

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Modes of Worship in other Religions

a) Hinduism

Murti
Sindoor being applied on the forehead of Goddess Durga during Durga Puja.
Murti the idol
In Hinduism, a murti typically refers to an image or statue. Devotional (bhakti) practices centered on cultivating a deep and personal bond of love with God often include veneration of murtis. Acts of devotion can include awakening the murti in the morning and making sure that it "is washed, dressed, and garlanded." Furthermore, the building of a temple for the murti is considered the highest act of devotion.

Some Hindu sects like Arya Samaj and Brahmo Samaj, however, reject it.
Puja
Pūjā is a religious ritual performed by Hindus as an offering to various deities, distinguished persons, or special guests. It is done on a variety of occasions and settings, from daily puja done in the home, to temple ceremonies and large festivals, or to begin a new venture. Puja is modeled on the idea of giving a gift or offering to a deity or important person and receiving their blessing (Ashirbad). The puja ritual is performed by Hindus worldwide.

Aarti (Taking Aarti blessing)

Aarti is a Hindu religious ritual of worship, a part of puja, in which light from wicks soaked in ghee (purified butter) or camphor is offered to one or more deities. Aarti is generally performed one to five times daily, and usually at the end of a puja (in South India) or bhajan session (in North India).
Darśhana
Darshan is a Sanskrit term meaning "sight" (seeing or beholding;), vision, apparition, or glimpse of holy person or artifact. One could also "receive" darshana or a glimpse of the deity in the temple, or from a great saintly person, such as a great guru.
Homa, Havan and Yajna

Homa (also known as homam or havan) is a Sanskrit word which refers to any ritual in which making offerings into a consecrated fire is the primary action.
Yagya is a ritual of sacrifice derived from the practice of Vedic times. It is performed to please the gods or to attain certain wishes. An essential element is the sacrificial fire - the divine Agni - into which oblations are poured, as everything that is offered into the fire is believed to reach the gods.
Substances and objects
Substances that are commonly used in Hindu worship include ghee, incense, kumkum, Marigold, milk, sandalwood, tulsi and vibhuti. Among objects used are the altar, banana leaves, bhog, coconuts, diya (oil lamps), fly-whisks, garlands, prasad, shankha (conch) and tilaka.
Tilaka
The tilaka, tilak or tika is a mark worn on the forehead and in some cases to the upper part of the head. The tilaka symbolizes the third eye, or mind's eye, associated with many Hindu gods, and the idea of meditation and spiritual enlightenment.
Tree worship
There are three species of sacred trees, pipal, banyan, and neem.
Mantra
A mantra is a sound, syllable, word, or group of words that is considered capable of "creating transformation" Its use and type varies according to the school and philosophy associated with the mantra. Mantras originated in the Vedic tradition of India. The most basic mantra is Aum, which in Hinduism is known as the "pranava mantra," the source of all mantras.
Mantra japa was a concept of the Vedic sages that incorporates mantras as one of the main forms of puja, or worship, whose ultimate end is seen as moksha (liberation). It involves repetition of a mantra over and over again, usually in cycles of auspicious numbers (in multiples of three), the most popular being 108.
Vrata or fasting
Such actions may include complete or partial fasting on certain specific days; a Yatra (pilgrimage) to a particular place or places; a visit, darśana and puja at a particular temple or temples; recitation of mantras and prayers; performing yajnas.
Festivals
All festivals in Hinduism are predominantly religious in character and significance.
Yatra the pilgrimage
Visiting a sacred place is believed by the pilgrim to purify the self and bring one closer to the divine.

According to another site of Hinduism the Hindu worship modes are prescribed as under:-
Types of Worship

There are many different types of worship and each with increasing levels of complexity depending on the performer, available means, and desired outcomes. Roughly, they can be grouped into 13 overlapping groups.

Puja – ritual worship, especially of the deity
Arti – the greeting ceremony with lamps, etc.
Bhajan or Kirtan – hymns and chants
Darshan – taking audience of a deity or holy person
Prasad – offering and eating sacred food
Pravachan – talk or lecture on the scriptures
Yajna – ritual sacrifice
Havan – the sacred fire ceremony
Japa/Meditation/Prayer – internal practices of worship
Parikram/Pradakshina – circumambulation
Seva – active service, to the ashram, a deity, holy people, etc.
Upasana - sitting near the Diety or Guru in silence, contemplation, adoration, devotion, etc
Tapas - austerity or penance

b) Buddhism

Worship is evident in Buddhism in such forms as:

guru yoga, mandala, thanka, yantra yoga, the discipline of the fighting monks of Shaolin, panchamrita, mantra recitation, tea ceremony, ganacakra, amongst others. Buddhist Devotion is an important part of the practice of most Buddhists.

In Buddhism, puja are expressions of "honour, worship and devotional attention." Acts of puja include bowing, making offerings and chanting.

c) Islam

The Five Pillars of Islamic worship are:

1) The Testimony of Faith (Reading of Qalima) :

The testimony of faith is saying with conviction, “La ilaha illa Allah, Muhammadur rasoolu Allah.” This saying means “There is no true god (deity) but God (Allah),1 and Muhammad is the Messenger (Prophet) of God.” The first part, “There is no true god but God,” means that none has the right to be worshipped but God alone, and that God has neither partner nor son.

2) Prayer:

Muslims perform five prayers a day. Prayer in Islam is a direct link between the worshipper and God. There are no intermediaries between God and the worshipper.

Namaz

Prayers are performed at dawn, noon, mid-afternoon, sunset, and night.

3) Giving Zakat (Support of the Needy):

All things belong to God, and wealth is therefore held by human beings in trust. Giving zakat means ‘giving a specified percentage on certain properties to certain classes of needy people.’ The percentage which is due on gold, silver, and cash funds that have reached the amount of about 85 grams of gold and held in possession for one lunar year is two and a half percent.

A person may also give as much as he or she pleases as voluntary alms or charity.

4) Fasting the Month of Ramadan:

Every year in the month of Ramadan,4 all Muslims fast from dawn until sundown, abstaining from food, drink, and sexual relations.

Hajj of Kaaba

5) The Pilgrimage to Makkah:

The annual pilgrimage (Hajj) to Makkah is an obligation once in a lifetime for those who are physically and financially able to perform it.

The rites of the Hajj include circling the Kaaba seven times and going seven times between the hillocks of Safa and Marwa, as Hagar did during her search for water. Then the pilgrims stand together in Arafat and ask God for what they wish and for His forgiveness, in what is often thought of as a preview of the Day of Judgment.

d) Christianity

DIFFERENT TYPES OF WORSHIP

Quiet, reflective, tender - “I will sing praise unto God. My meditation shall be sweet.” (Ps. 104:33-34)

Joyful, exuberant shouting and loud music - We are called to shout, play skillfully with a loud noise, and make a joyful noise unto the Lord.

Clapping Hands - “Clap your hands all you people.” (Ps. 47:1)

Lifting of hands expresses thanksgiving, blessing, petition, and obedience.

Dancing - We are called to praise Him through dance. “David, wearing a linen ephod, danced before the Lord with all his might…” (2 Sa. 6:14)

Kneeling - “that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow.” (Phil. 2:10)

Individual - “They were also to stand every morning to thank and praise the Lord. They were to do the same in the evening.” (1 Chron. 23:30)

“…Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord.” (Eph. 5:19)

Congregational - “I will declare your name to my brothers; in the congregational celebration and praise.” (Ps. 22:22-25)