Does a Hindu make any preparations before prayer?

Yes. First they take a head bath, wears simple washed and dried clothes, goes to the worship place, prostates before god, cleans the surroundings of the place where god is placed, lights a lamp, offers flowers, prays god, at the end he offers cooked food, milk, fruits, betel leaf with betel nuts, offers 'arathi, sings glory to the god, bows to him, and retreats.