Darshan [which literally means seeing or being seen by God] may be achieved in a variety of ways. It may be felt by an individual during his or her daily household pujas [prayers, songs or rituals] or meditations, when the contact is made alone. A person may experience darshan simply by viewing a particularly sacred sculpture or holy spot, perhaps during a pilgrimage or at a festival. Or the individual may feel a special communication with the deity through the intervention of a priest during a strictly regulated temple ritual. Through whatever means it comes, darshan brings both peace and blessing to Hindu devotees, and through it, they believe, miracles can and do occur frequently.
— Stephen P. Huyler, Meeting God