Why Poojas?

Poojas are an ancient form of pleasing Gods, stemming from the "Vedic Science". A Pooja can help you get well, rebind relationships, find a soul mate, beget children and it may even remove bad karma or negative aspects in a horoscope or with Vastu...

An essential part of the Pooja is the spiritual connection the devotee crafts with the divine. Most often that contact is made possible through an external object: a facet of nature, a figurine, a vessel, a painting of God and so on.

The Almighty is then invited to the vortex by chanting mantras. There are a lot of standard procedures in a Pooja and they are designed to invoke the devotional aspect of the devotee - of worship and devoutness. It is essential that one spotlessly cleans all the Pooja items: the lamps, the idol, the fruits offered as Prasad, and make the necessary arrangements.

Steps to Perform a Pooja:

Below mentioned are the extra steps which might/ might not be performed in a Pooja. One must also note that the steps in a Pooja can vary depending upon the purpose or the deity invoked.

1.Dhyanam and Avahanam (Meditation and Invoking the Lord)

At the start of the Pooja, the performer as well as the other people who are participating in the Pooja, pray for the cleansing of their heart and soul and seek divine blessings of their ancestors and other divine beings.

2.Asana and Padhya (Offering a seat to the God and washing the feet)

Once the chief deity of the Pooja has been invoked, a few drops of water are poured in front of the idol. This is equal to washing the feet of the Almighty. Prayers are offered from the bottom of the heart in order to appease him and attain his blessings!

3.Ganapati Prarthana/ Mahaganapathy Pooja

In the Hindu scriptures, the elephant headed God, Ganesha is always worshipped in the beginning of any ritual, and for his blessings to ensure that the whole procedure would move smoothly unhindered by any external obstacles at any stage. Lord Ganesha is invoked into a conical figure made by mixing turmeric powder and water. Turmeric is considered very propitious and auspicious; and is therefore used to represent Lord Ganesha. Thereafter, a method of worship involving sixteen steps is performed to please Lord Ganesha. This is called "Shodashopachara" Pooja. All these steps are symbolical representations of the various forms of expressing reverence like offering the deity a golden throne to be seated, washing his feet, washing his hands, offering him water to drink, ceremonial bathing with sacred waters, offering new clothes, anointing him with sandal paste and other perfumes, adorning of jewels, worshipping with flowers, offering of fragrant incense, lighting the lamp, offering food, fruits and sweet drinks, chanting his praises, offering Aarthi and finally prostrating to him and seeking his blessings.

Prayer to be chanted while praying to Lord Ganesha: "Suklam Baradharam Vishnum Sashivarnam Chaturbhujam Prasanna vadanam Dhyayet Sarva Vighnoposhantaye"

4.Hydration Ritual or Abishekam (Bathing God's idol)

Hydration ritual literally means bathing God's idol. In addition to water, milk, rose water, sandalwood paste, tender coconut, a mixture of fruits etc are also used to bathe the Holy and Heavenly being.

5.Vastram (Offering clothing)

A decorative and beautiful piece of silk clothing is offered to the idol. Later, flowers and jewels are also used to dress the deity. Devotees sometimes offer this piece of clothing requesting God for their prayers to come true.

6.Archana (chanting holy names)

A devotee will make offerings like fruits, flowers, coconut, beetle leaves etc. The devotee will then receive the food offerings back in the form of Prasad or blessings from the Deity. Various types of flowers are used to offer Archana to the God. The sacred priest chants suitable mantras while simultaneously performing the Archana. Also various names of the Almighty are called upon to strengthen the prayers of the devotees.

7.Incense Stick (Dhoopam) Offering

Incense sticks are offered after Archana to the chief deity. It is said that even Lord Shiva loves the aroma of incense stick. An incense stick is alighted because it is said that the celestial beings love the fragrance of incense sticks. It is a way of appeasing your favorite God.

8.Ghee/ Oil Lamp (Deepam) Offering

The Dhoopam is followed by offering of Deepam (a ghee or oil lamp).

9.Prasad/Offering

Offering food to the God is considered most auspicious. The food is prepared with great devotion and care to offer to the chief deity of the Pooja. Cooked foods like Sweet Pongal (an Indian delicacy), dry fruits etc are offered to the God in a pious manner.

10.Aarthi (Camphor) offering

The aarthi is the part of a Pooja where in a camphor is lit and waved to the idol of the deity to the accompaniment of the brass bell. After it is waved in the direction of the idols, all the members of the family take turns to almost touch the flame with deep reverence.

11.Sankalpa, declaration of intent

The Sankalpa is the most important part in a Pooja. The entire ritual is carried along with the strong will and wish of the participants. Each Pooja is performed for a definite purpose; and it is this purpose that the performer and participants clearly hold within their minds as they take Sankalpa. It is at this time that the participants of the sacred Pooja get to pray for their wishes like "God, grant me with power, knowledge and riches", "Let the Almighty bless me with a good married life and a well matching spouse", and so on...

12.Pradakshinam (Circumambulation) and Namaskaram (obeisance)

Offering prayers to the God, prostrating at his feet and circumambulating the sanctum are an Indian customary. It is said that God answers the prayers of those, who involve themselves so traditionally in performing rites and rituals to the Almighty.