Puja/Havan/Yagya

Kumkum is a religious and social symbol of Hinduism. Devotees wear it during auspicious occasions and also after completing their daily prayers. In the ancient days, people made Kumkum by mixing 95% turmeric with 5% of limestone. However, nowadays, many people depend upon artificially manufactured Kumkums. Here, in this article, we will look into the origin, meaning, and significance of applying Kumkum concerning Hinduism. Kumkum, in Hindi, is Kunkum, and in Sanskrit, it is Kunkuma. In various Indian languages, Kumkum has different names. However, its significance remains the same. Most Hindus apply it on their forehead between their eyebrows. It...

Hinduism has a plethora of rituals and customs. Most of them can provide us with a lot of benefits. During the pujas and other ceremonies, we use several items. Supari is one such ingredient that plays a pivotal role in Hindu rituals. Here, we will look into the origin, meaning, and significance of Supari in Hinduism. The origin or when people started to use Supari as part of religious ceremonies is unclear. However, it has been in use for quite some time. There are a few references to the usage of Supari in Hindu rituals in some ancient texts and...

Hinduism gives much importance to countless rituals, traditions, customs, and beliefs. As part of Hindu rituals, we use numerous ingredients during our Pujas, Aartis, and other ceremonies. Camphor is one such ingredient that plays a crucial role in Hinduism. Let’s look into the origin, meaning, and significance of using camphor in Hindu rituals. The word camphor means Karpur in Sanskrit and Kapur in Hindi. It has been widely in use for several years in Indian households. We can categorize them into edible and synthetic camphor. We obtain edible camphor, which has numerous medicinal properties, from the bark and wood of...

Hinduism is a religion that gives importance to several rituals and ceremonies. Devotees regularly conduct prayers to gain the blessings of the divine entities. There are different elements used while organizing prayers. These include Kalash, Shankh, copper vessels, and lamps. Most of us use oil or ghee to light the lamps used in Puja. In this article, we will discuss the origin, meaning, and religious as well as the spiritual significance of using Ghee in Puja or Havan. Different objects used in a Puja have a plethora of benefits and relevance in our daily life. When we light a lamp,...

Hinduism is a religion that gives much importance to rituals, ceremonies, and pujas. Devotees take part in pujas and yajnas to receive blessings from the Gods and Goddesses. Yajmaan is a person who acts as the patron of a puja or a yajna. A priest conducts a puja on behalf of a Yajmaan. The word, Yajmaan, comes from the Sanskrit word "Yaj" which refers to worship. So, etymologically, Yajmaan is the head of a family or a tribe who performs sacrifices. He looks after all its expenses as well. There are references to the term in some of the Puranas...

Prasada is a Sanskrit word, which means grace or favor. In ancient traditions and texts, Prasada referred to the mental state experienced by Gods, sages, and other influential people. We can find a similar explanation in the Rig Veda as well. It was only through Shiva Purana Prasada gained reference as an offering of material substances. In the present era, Prasada or Prasadam is the food or water offered to the deity while worshipping or conducting puja. After the completion of the puja, Purohit distributes the Prasad to the worshipers. They eat them as they are equal to accepting the...

From the ancient days, rishis and other devotees offered flowers to gods and goddesses during their pujas. The significance of flowers in puja becomes clear from the etymology of the word puja. Puja comes from two Sanskrit words. The first two letters "Pu" represent Pushpa, which means flowers, and last two "Ja" represent Japa, which refers to the chanting of prayers. From the pictures and Puranas, we can find that Gods and Goddesses hold or adorn flowers. For instance, Laksmi Devi has a lotus flower in her hand. The offering of flowers to the deities marks the completion of the puja....

Pran Prathistha, also known as Murthi Sthapana, is a practice in Hinduism and Jainism. It is the consecration of a Murthi (deity idol) in a temple with the accompaniment of Mantras and hymns. When the priest or Purohit performs the rites, the idol converts into a deity by the invocation of life energy or Prana. There are elaborate discussions in different Vedic and ancient scriptures on the importance as well as the ways of conducting the Pran Prathishta. In Tantra-Tattva, Prana Prathishta is a ritual meant to introduce life into a Murthi (deity idol). Not everyone can conduct Pran Prathishta....

Time is a significant concept, with explanations attached to it in different cultures and traditions. Since the Vedic age, people have relied upon the notion of time. In the ancient days in India, people calculated time using measurements that varied from prevalent Western norms. Muhurta refers to a period of 48 Western minutes or 30 Kalas. 30 Muhurtas in a single day and night is equivalent to 24 Western hours. As per the ancient scriptures, the Muhurtas can either be auspicious, neutral, or inauspicious. While engaging in any task, whether it be a puja or starting a new business, it...

Kalash is an auspicious symbol in Hinduism and is a copper vessel with a big base and a small mouth. It is commonly known as Purna Kalasha, Purna-Kumbha, and Purna Ghata. As per Rig Veda, Purna Kalash represents abundance and life source. Devotees fill the Kalash with holy water and place a coconut on top of it during Pujas. The head of the coconut faces the sky, and they keep mango leaves, sometimes betel vines, dipped in the water. Some might fill the vessel with coins, gems, gold, or grains as well. There are several stories associated with the origin...

SANKALPA – a proposal in a Vedic way : Traditionally before performing any work we undertake sankalpa which is a kind of declaration to ourselves and to the God within us. The Vedas says that whole Universe is evolved through a Sankalpa of Lord Narayana. In practical terms a Sankalpa means a one-pointed resolve to focus both psychologically and philosophically on a specific goal. A sankalpa is a tool meant to refine the will, and to focus and harmonize mind and body. Sankalpa is a Sanskrit word meaning a resolution; a free will or a determination. The word Sankalpa itself...

Mauli or Kalava threads are profound symbols of identity in Hinduism. Etymologically, Mauli is a Sanskrit word, which means crown or above all. In Hindu tradition. Lord Shiva is known as ChandraMauli because He has a crescent moon on His matted head. In India, Mauli threads have different names in diverse cultures. They are known as Kalava, Rakshasutra, Mouri, Kautuka, and Charadu. They are sanctified and made from cotton yarns. Maulis are mostly a combination of red and yellow threads. Red is a representation of long life and protection against evil forces. It also has the property to stimulate the...

Akshata is a Sanskrit word, which means 'whole.' In Hinduism, Akshata refers to the unbroken and uncooked rice grains offered to the deity during pujas and other such religious ceremonies. Akshata is known to bring prosperity, fertility, and bounty to the devotee's life. Before making an offer to the deity, the devotee mixes kumkum or turmeric along with ghee or oil to the unbroken rice grains. Ashata can retain the Chaitanya of a religious ritual for an extended period. They are the finest offerings any devotee can make during a puja. Puja offerings have five layers of articles to be...

Achamanam is a ritual in Hinduism to purify our minds and bodies. The purification process includes sipping water from our right hand with the recitation of different mantras. These mantras are known to invoke power and energy when we correctly chant them. There are different types of Achamanam performed in Hindu culture based on which we can classify them into three. They are- 1. Srautacamanam - It follows the instructions for performing Achamana as per the Vedas. Here, you may sip water thrice by reciting the three Pathas of the Gayathri mantra in succession. You may begin by chanting 'Om...

Aarti is the ceremony of lights. The “Aarti” is one of the most important Hindu religious rituals of worship. It is a prayerful ceremony performed to please the Divine Lord after finishing the prayers or auspicious rituals. The aarti ceremony is said to have descended from the ancient Vedic period which means “Aart- Nivaran” means the removal of sorrows or “Aa + rati” meaning complete love towards God. It is sung and performed with a deep sense of gratitude and love. The holy river Ganga (giver of life, purity, bliss and liberation in Her waters) is truly a Divine Mother...

Mangal Dosha refers to the condition where a person is born with the influence of Mars or Mangal. In various parts of India, Mangal Dosha has different names. It includes Chova Dosha, Sevi Dosha, and Kuja Dosha. Mangal Dosha can have countless negative impacts, especially in marital life. If a person without Mangal Dosha marries a person with it, their marriage might fail. Here, in this article, we will look into how Mangal Dosha happens, its different types, effects, and remedies. As mentioned earlier, we can relate Mangal Dosha to Lord Mars. He is the commander-in-chief of the Celestial cabinet...

There are different phases in our lives, and the karma we perform can influence them. Lord Shani Dev is the giver of karma in Hinduism. As per our belief, he maintains an account of all the good and evil deeds we do in our lives. Lord Shani Dev can either reward or punish us based on what we do. He is the one who leads our soul to Moksha as well. Here, in this article, we will delve deeper into what Shani Sade Sati is, how it happens, its different phases, effects, and remedies. Shani Sade Sati is commonly known...

Chandal Dosh is formed when either the Rahu or Ketu planet sits along with Jupiter in the same house of a horoscope. Chandal Dosha is also known as Guru Chandal Dosha because the planet Jupiter is called as Guru in Sanskrit. Planet Jupiter plays a major role in the formation of this dosha but can be beneficial in some cases, when Ketu and Jupiter are in benefic positions in a horoscope. How is Chandal Dosha formed?: According to Vedic astrology planet Jupiter is called Guru whereas planets Rahu and Ketu are called Chandal (demon). Hence a combined placement of Jupiter...

According to Vedic astrology, a dosha is like a blemish on a horoscope. It means a defect in the horoscope is responsible for every failure of human pursuit. The placement of each planet in our horoscope plays an important role in our lives. Vedic Astrology which fully depends on the movements of planetary bodies gives a clear picture of different dosha in a birth chart and their favorable and unfavorable effects on human life. Chandra dosha is one of such major dosha which affects the human body and mind to a great extent. According to the Vedic Astrology, when Moon...

Kaal Sarp Dosha is also known as Kaal Sarp Yoga, a dreaded combination of planets that can make one’s life miserable. According to astrologer, Kaal Sarp Dosha is formed in a horoscope/kundali when all seven planets (Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, and Mars) are situated between Rahu and Ketu (the demon Rahu lying axially in opposite directions and dividing the zodiac into two equal parts). The word 'Kaal' means death and Sarpa means snake and the name itself is sufficient to scare people. It is believed that a person born under Kaal Sarp Dosha lives a difficult life. If...

Vaastu literally means “science of architecture", is a traditional Indian system of architecture which originated from Vedas and believed to be more than ten thousand years old. Indian ancient Yogis, through their austerity, penance, and meditation, received all answers to their questions from the cosmic mind itself and incorporated these divine pieces of knowledge into Vedas. The art of Vaastu is mentioned in the "SATPATYA VEDA", which is a part of the Atharva Veda. Proof of Vaastu shastra can be found in the holy epics like Ramayana and Mahabharat which clearly elaborates the art of building houses, temples, palaces, and...

Pitra Dosha also known as Pitru Dosh is one of the most destructive astrological doshas found in the birth chart of a person. According to Hindu philosophy, it is the karmic debt of the ancestors which needs to be paid by the person affiliated with Pitru Dosha in his/her horoscope. It is easy and simple to understand that a Pitru Dosh is formed in the horoscope of a person when his/her forefathers have committed any mistakes, crimes, or sins in their life journey. According to Indian astrology, it is a very inauspicious aspect and a Pitra Dosh is formed in...

A horoscope that shows Moon (Chandra) in conjunction with Saturn (Shani) in any house then it is known as Vish Yog/Dosha. Again, when Shani comes in Rohini and Shavana nakshatra it forms Vish Yog OR when Moon comes in Pushya and Uttara Bhadrapada nakshatra it forms this inauspicious Yog. Apart from this whenever the Maha Dasha of Moon and the Antardasha of Shani come together or vice versa this period is also known as Vish Yog. How is Vish Yoga formed in a horoscope?: A combined placement of different planets in a house forms a Yog/Dosha. Similarly, Vish Yog is created/formed...

​Do I need to Have My Vedic Astrology Chart Analyzed? An analysis of the vedic birth chart is not necessary to have a puja performed, or to receive the benefit of any puja. The merit which is earned by doing a puja will come to fruition at the appropriate time in our life, now or in the future. However, a more precise understanding of our specific karma, and the timetable for the unfoldment of our karma, can be determined by a competent astrologer. At Eshwar Bhakti, we have a team of highly learned and competent astrologers, who can do detail...

Homa is a sacred fire ritual done in the Vedic Hindu tradition. Homa is a technique given by the Rishis and other Enlightened Masters to create a specific desired effect in our lives. The way in which the desired effect is made and the strength of the effect makes Homa a unique component of Vedic tradition. The Vedas explain the process of creation. It says … The pure consciousness manifested in the form of space. Then out of space, wind was created. Out of wind, fire was created and out of fire, water was created and out of water, earth...

Puja is ritualistic worship of the Divine performed to keep us in harmony with cosmic forces, thereby removing and overcoming the sorrows of life and bringing spiritual upliftment. By doing puja, thoughts and vibrations of spiritual forces are created around us. These spiritual forces work to eliminate the negative influences in our life and help surround us with positive energy which can bring us peace of mind, material prosperity and enable us to more clearly touch the Divine, our true nature. Pujas are traditionally performed in temples by residing priests trained in the exact science of puja including the precise...