Is it Permissible for Muslims to Attend Puja Celebrations?

The foundation of Islam rests upon Tawhid, the belief in the oneness of Allah. The greatest rebellion against Tawhid is Shirk  associating partners with Allah.
 

A Puja mandap (worship place) is where Shirk is openly practiced, where idols are worshipped instead of Allah. For a Muslim to be present there is to witness Shirk directly, which is considered a grave injustice in the Qur'an’s view.
 

Allah declares:
"And when you see those who engage in [offensive] discourse concerning Our verses, then turn away from them until they enter into another conversation."
(Qur’an, Surah Al-An'am 6:68)
 

This verse clearly states that sitting where Shirk is practiced means aligning oneself with those acts.

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) warned:
"Whoever imitates a people is one of them."
(Reported in Abu Dawood and Musnad Ahmad)
 

Standing in a Puja mandap, participating with a smile, or even showing minimal courtesy falls under imitation in the eyes of Islam. Such imitation can lead a Muslim down a dangerous path in the Hereafter.
 

Imam Ibn Taymiyyah (may Allah have mercy on him), in his book Iqtida’us Siratul Mustaqim, wrote:
“A Muslim’s participation in non-Muslim religious festivals is not only forbidden (haram) but also destroys the essence of faith. It is a gateway that, once opened, lets doubt, deviation, and shirk-like imitation enter a Muslim’s heart, displacing Islamic beliefs.”