16 PUJAS
Krishna Janmashtami
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Krishna Janmashtami, also known as Janmashtami or Gokulashtami, is a major Hindu festival that celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna, an avatar of Lord Vishnu. The festival typically falls on the 8th day (Ashtami) of the Hindu lunar month of Shravana (August/September) and is observed with great fervor and devotion.In many temples and homes, the deity of Lord Krishna is bathed, dressed in new clothes, and placed in a cradle, simulating the event of his birth. This is followed by the offering of sweets and fruits to Lord Krishna, and the distribution of prasad (sacred food) among the devotees.Janmashtami is a major festival in the states of Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan, and is also celebrated with great enthusiasm in other parts of India and Nepal. It is also celebrated by the followers of the ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness) all over the world.
Jitiya Vrat Puja
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Jitiya Vrat, also known as Jivitputrika Vrat, is a significant three-day Hindu festival observed primarily by mothers for the well-being, longevity, and prosperity of their children. The vrat is dedicated to the benevolent demigod, Jimutavahana. It is performed on the Ashtami (eighth day) of Krishna Paksha in the Ashwin month, typically in September or October. The core of this observance is a strict 'Nirjala' fast, where mothers abstain from both food and water for over 24 hours, showcasing their immense love and sacrifice. The rituals involve taking a holy dip before sunrise (Nahay-Khay), observing the fast, and listening to the Jitiya Vrat Katha, which narrates the story of Jimutavahana's selflessness. Performing this puja is believed to protect children from all dangers, illnesses, and misfortunes, ensuring their healthy and successful life. This ancient tradition, rooted in Puranic legends, helps mothers seek divine blessings to overcome any obstacles in their children's paths and foster family harmony.
Satyanarayan Katha
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Satyanarayan Katha is a Hindu religious ritual performed to worship Lord Vishnu, who is also known as Satyanarayan. The ritual is usually performed on special occasions such as weddings, engagements, or the purchase of a new home, or just as an offering to Lord Vishnu for blessings and fulfillment of wishes.The ritual includes the recitation of the story of Lord Vishnu, also known as the Satyanarayan Katha, which tells the story of a devout king named Satya who performed the ritual and attained blessings from Lord Vishnu. The story emphasizes the importance of truthfulness, devotion, and the power of the ritual in granting wishes and blessings.The ritual involves offerings of fruits, flowers and coconuts to Lord Vishnu, along with the recitation of the story and hymns, and the distribution of prasad (sacred food) to the participants. The ritual is usually performed by a Hindu priest, and the participants usually include family members and friends. The Satyanarayan Katha is considered to be a powerful ritual that brings prosperity and blessings to the household and the participants.
Mata ki Chowki
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Mata ki Chowki is a Hindu devotional event dedicated to the worship of Goddess Durga and her various forms. It is usually conducted at home or in a community space during auspicious occasions, festivals, or in fulfillment of a vow. The event typically takes place in the evening and includes devotional singing (bhajans), chanting, and prayer to invoke the blessings of the Divine Mother. Devotees gather to celebrate and express their devotion through music, dance, and offerings of flowers, fruits, and sweets. The program is often led by a group of devotional singers or a priest, and it creates a spiritually uplifting environment. Mata ki Chowki is considered a sacred and joyous occasion that brings peace, positivity, and divine blessings to the participants and their households.
Saraswati puja
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Saraswati Puja is a Hindu festival that is dedicated to the goddess of knowledge and wisdom, Saraswati.In many parts of India, this day is also celebrated as Basant Panchami, which is the festival of spring and is celebrated with traditional songs, dances, and food.Saraswati Puja is particularly significant for students and artists, as they seek the blessings of the goddess for success in their studies and creative pursuits.
SuddhiKaran Puja
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Suddhi Karan Puja is a Hindu purification ritual performed to cleanse the body, mind, and surroundings of negative energies and impurities. It is usually done after major life events, inauspicious incidents, or when entering a new house to restore harmony and purity. The ritual involves chanting of Vedic mantras, offering of holy water, flowers, and sacred items to the deities, and sprinkling sanctified water (abhishek) in the house or on the participants. A Hindu priest generally conducts the puja, guiding the participants through the process of purification and invoking divine blessings. The puja symbolizes the removal of doshas (impurities), protection from negative influences, and the establishment of peace and prosperity in the household. Suddhi Karan Puja is considered a powerful ritual for attaining spiritual balance and positive energy in life.
Mangala Gauri Puja
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This Gauri puja is all about worshipping Goddess Parvati. It falls during the fourth or fifth day of Ganesh Chaturthi. It is vital for strengthening bonds of love, and good luck is bestowed upon an individual by conducting Gauri puja. The family is ensured of leading a wealthy and prosperous life. The good traits of one’s character are brought to light. This is a form of worship of Goddess Durga, performed especially during the Ganpati Utsav in Maharashtra. This puja is performed with Suhaag Samagri (materials needed in marriages). Married women do this in order to pray for the long life of their better half, adolescent girls perform this puja to get a desired partner and this puja is also conducted to fulfil wishes of people.
Ganesh Chaturthi and Satyanarayan Katha
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This sacred ceremony is a powerful combination of two highly revered Hindu rituals: the Ganesh Sthapana for Ganesh Chaturthi and the narration of the Satyanarayan Katha. It is performed to invoke the dual blessings of Lord Ganesha, the remover of obstacles, and Lord Vishnu in his form as Satyanarayan, the embodiment of truth. This puja is primarily conducted on the auspicious day of Ganesh Chaturthi, marking the beginning of the Ganeshotsav festival. The ritual begins with Pran Pratishtha, consecrating the idol of Lord Ganesha, followed by a detailed Shodashopachara Puja. Subsequently, the priest narrates the five chapters of the Satyanarayan Katha, which highlights the rewards of observing truth and devotion. Performing this combined puja is believed to clear all hurdles in life, bestow success in new ventures, and bring immense prosperity, health, and harmony to the family. It is a profound way to seek divine grace for both auspicious beginnings and sustained well-being, drawing its significance from the Ganesha Purana and the Skanda Purana.
Rudrabhishek Satyanarayan
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Rudrabhishek & Satyanarayan is a combined Hindu puja that worships both Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu. In the Rudrabhishek portion, the Rudra mantra from the Yajur Veda is recited, and offerings of milk, honey, ghee, and fruits are poured over a Shiva lingam. During the Satyanarayan puja, the Satyanarayan Katha is narrated, followed by offerings of fruits, flowers, sweets, and other prasad to Lord Vishnu, along with aarti. Performing this combined ritual is considered highly auspicious, bringing blessings, prosperity, and happiness to devotees. It is usually observed on special occasions such as Mahashivratri, Ekadashi, birthdays, anniversaries, or other festive events. Both rituals are conducted by a trained pujari in a temple or at home, and involve lamp lighting, incense burning, and bell ringing.
Upakarma Samskar
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Upakarma Samskar, also known as Avani Avittam or Shravani, is a significant Vedic ritual performed annually to mark the beginning of Vedic studies. This sacred ceremony is primarily observed by Brahmin communities, especially those who have undergone the Upanayana Samskar (sacred thread ceremony). It is performed to express gratitude to the ancient Rishis who revealed the Vedas and to seek atonement for sins committed, knowingly or unknowingly, over the past year. The ritual is typically conducted on the full moon day (Purnima) of the Shravana month. The core components include a sankalpa (vow), a prayaschitta homa (expiatory fire ritual), tarpana (offering libations to Rishis, ancestors, and deities), and the central act of changing the old Yajnopavita (sacred thread) for a new one. This symbolizes a renewal of one's commitment to spiritual duties and scriptural learning. Performing Upakarma purifies the mind and body, removes negative karmic influences, and bestows the blessings of the Rishis for enhanced knowledge and wisdom. It helps overcome spiritual lethargy and sharpens the intellect, preparing the individual for another year of righteous living and study.
Ganpati Puja
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Ganpati Puja is a Hindu festival celebrating the god Ganesha, the son of Shiva and Parvati. Ganesha is worshipped as the god of wisdom, prosperity, and good fortune. The festival typically takes place over a period of 10 days, during which devotees perform puja (worship) and offer prayers to Ganesha. The festival culminates on the tenth day, known as Anant Chaturdashi, when large idols of Ganesha are immersed in water.
