Description
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Full Length (Longer) Puja
The Navagraha Shanti Puja is a comprehensive and potent Puja performed to invoke the blessings of the nine planets – Surya (sun), Chandra (moon), Mangal (Mars), Budha (Mercury), Bruhaspathi (Jupiter), Shukra (Venus), Shani (Saturn), Rahu (North lunar node), Ketu (South lunar node).
This Puja is performed in nine stages with separate offerings and mantras for each of the nine planets, and is therefore the most powerful of the Navagraha Pujas.
A Navagraha Shanti Puja should be performed to overcome all problems, including mental/emotional distress, health problems, family distress, and community distress. Its benefits are manifold since it is a comprehensive remedy.
Shorter Puja
The planet gods are referred to as the “Navagrahas” and are said to have a significant impact on the lives of individuals. Therefore, we are relating to the nine planets as gods (which are personified operators in nature). This helps us work out our karma, averts any mishaps, and assists in bringing peace and harmony to our lives.
This Puja is a short Navagraha Puja in which mantras are chanted that address the Navagrahas (nine planets) as a whole.
Navagraha Offering
If devotees bring their own offering, they can do this with no monetary contribution. If devotees need offering supplies, they are asked to make a contribution to the temple (in the Hundai box) first, to cover the cost of the supplies.
These are the steps to follow:
- If weather allows, do three Pradakshinas clockwise around the outside of the temple. Enter the temple and do three pradakshinas clockwise around the inside of the temple. See Temple Etiquette for Pradakshina instructions.
- Stand in front of the planetary Deity and chant the mantra for that Navagraha 3 times while making the offering. Links to audio of Pandit Prasad chanting each mantra are available on each of the Navagraha information pages. For instance, for the Saturn offering, stand in front of Saturn, sprinkle black sesame seeds on his feet, and pour a little sesame oil on his head while chanting “Om Sham Shanaye Namaha” silently 3 times.
- While putting your hands together, like for prayer or Namaskaram, silently chant the mantra for that planetary Deity, and do Pradakshinas clockwise around the Navagrahas for the number of times recommended for that Navagraha. If you do not know how many Pradakshinas, you can check with Pandit Prasad. For instance, Saturn is 7 Pradakshinas.
