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