Puja Format

Things to get ready:

An altar with the picture of the deity

Lamp on which kumkum & chandan are applied with oil & wick

Flowers, if available

2 cups, one with water & the other empty, to pour water.

Bell, to ring

Offering which can be any dry or fresh fruits

Camphor or karpura



I am giving a simple format with preparatory steps.



1 – Decorate the lamp & light it, chanting

deepo jyotih param brahma deepo jyotih janaardhanaha
deepo harathu me paapam sandhyaa deepo namo(a)stutae


suvarna vriddhim kurumae gruhae shri
sudhaanya vriddhim kurumae gruhae shri
kalyaana vriddhim kurumae gruhae shri
vibhoothi vriddhim kurumae gruhae shri


keetaa pathangaa mas(h)akaashcha vrikshaaha
jalae sthalae ae nivasanthu jeevaaha
dhrishtvaa pradeepam na cha janma bhaajo
bhavanthi nithyam svachaahi vipraaha



2 – Offer flowers chanting

shubham karoti kalyaanam aarogyam dhanasampadaha
shatru buddhi vinaas(h)aaya deepajyotih namo(a)stutae



3 – Achamanam: Take a sip of water after chanting each line.

Om achyuthaaya namah

Om ananthaaya namah

Om govindaaya namah



4 – Guru Dhyanam – visualisation f one’s guru or s(h)ri Dhakshinamurthy:

Gurur brahmaah gurur vishnuh gururdevo mahes(h)varah

Gurureva ( or gurussaaks(h)aat) param brahmaa thasmai s(h)ri gurave namah





5 Vigneshvara Dhyaanam: Visualisation of Lord Vigneshvara

Shuklaambaradharam vishnum s(h)as(h)ivarnam chathurbhujam

Prasanna vadanam dhyaayaet sarva vigno(u)pa s(h)aanthayae



6 – Sankalpah: ( purpose of the puja )

mamopaaththa samastha durithakshvayadvaaraa sriparames(h)vara

{ you can substitute s(h)ri naarayana } preethyartham daeva pujam karishyae



7 – Aasana puja: Sprinkle water on your seat while chanting ( this is to purify the seat )

Prithvi thvayaa dhrthaa lokaah devithvam vishnunaa dhrthaah

Thvam cha dhaarayamaam devi pavithram kuru chaasanam





8 – Ganta puja – Ring the bell chanting ( this is to purify the atmosphere)

Jayadhwani mantra maatah svaahaa

Aagamaartham tu devaanaam gamanaartham thu rakshasaam

Kurve ghabntaaravam thathra devathaahvaana laanchanam



9 - Kalas(h)a puja: - Decorate the pot with water by applying kumkum & chandan – put a flower inside, cover with right palm & chant

Gangae cha yamunae chaiva godaavari sarasvathi

Narmadae sindu kaaveri jalae(a)smin sannidim kuru



10 – Aathma puja: - Worship of the Self:

Deho devaalayah prokthah jeevodevas sanaathanah

Thyajeda(k)jnaana nirmaalyam so(a)ham bhaavena pujayeth



Dear friends, after receiving your feedback I shall proceed with a simple 16-step puja.

Love & regards,

Chithra.

 

The 16 - Step Puja format



Purva Puja:

1 – Aavahanam - Invocation.
In this step, we visualise the deity in our mind & offer flower or akshathai to the form or picture of the deity. Thereby we invoke the deity in the image.

Asmin bimbe ( or chithrapate) shree devam ( or deveem) dhyaayaami

Asmin bimbe ( or chithrapate) shree devam ( or deveem) aavaahayaami



2 – Aasanam - offering seat:

Offer flowers at the feet & chant

Aasanam samarpayaami



3 - Paadhyam - washing the feet

Offer one spoon of water from the cup with water to the empty cup & chant

Paadhyam samarpayaami



4 - - Arghyam - Washing the hands:

Offer one spoon of water from the cup with water to the empty cup & chant Arghyam samarpayaami



5 - Aachamaniyam - Inner purification;

Offer one spoon of water from the cup with water to the empty cup & chant

Aachamaniyam samarpayaami



6 - Madhuparkam - offering water

Offer one spoon of water from the cup with water to the empty cup & chant

Madhuparkam samarpayaami



7 - Snaanam - Bath:

Offer one spoon of water from the cup with water to the empty cup & chant

Snaanam samarpayaami

Again water for inner purification:

Snaanaanantharam aachamaneeyam samarpayaami



8 - Vasthram - Offering Cloth:

Offer flowers or akshathai chanting

Vasthram samarpayaami

Upaveetham samarpayaami



9 - Aabharanam - Offering ornaments:

Offer flowers or akshathai, chanting

aabharanam samarpayaami



10 - Gandham & Kumkumam - Offering sandalpaste & kumkum:

Offer flowers or akshathai, chanting

Gandhaan dhaarayaami

Ghandhasyopari haridraakumkumam samarpayaami



11 - Pushpam - offering flowers

Offer flowers or akshathai, chanting

Pushpaam ( pushpaani) samarpayaami



At this stage perform Ashtothraarchana to the deity you have invoked



Uthara Puja - Second half of the puja:

12 - Dhoopam - Offering Incense:

Show the incense ( agarbathi) clockwise 3 times, chanting

Dhoopam aaghraapayami



13 - Deepam - Offering deepam from a small lamp;

Show another small lamp in front of the deity, clockwise, three times, simultaneously ringing bell with the left hand

Deepam sandars(h)ayaami

Offer one spoon of water from the cup with water to the empty cup & chant

Deepaanantharam aachamaneeyan samarpayaami



14 - Naivedhyam - Offering food ( dry or fresh fruit

Sprinkle one spoon of water on the naivedhyam & ringing the bell, offer the naivedhyam (broken coconut, fruits etc,) chanting

Om bhoorbhuvassuvah

Amrthopahstharanamasi

Praanaayah svaahaa

Apaanaya svaahaa

Vyaanaaya svaahaa

Udaanaa ya svaahaa

Samaanaaya svaahaa

Brahmane svaahaa

Naivedhyam nivedayaami

Offer one spoon of water from the cup with water to the empty cup & chant

Naivedyaanantharam aachamaneeyam samarpayaami

Offer betel leaves & nuts ( thamboolam), Chanting

Thaambulam samarpayaami



15 - Karpura niranjanam - offering lighted camphor:

Stand & show lighted camphor clockwise, ringing the bell with the left hand, chanting

Karpoora neeranjanam samarpayaami

Pour one spoon of water in cup chanting

Karpoora neeraajananantharam aachamaneeyam samarpayaami



16 - Vandanam - thanksgiving:

Offer flowers chanting

Manthrapushpam samarpayaami

Do self pradakshinam clockwise three times chanting

Yaani kaanicha paapaani janmaanthara krithaanicha

Thaani thaani vinas(h) yanthi

Pradakshina pade pade

Offer namaskarams, chanting

Pradakshina namaskaaraan samarpayaami



The 16 puja steps are over. The invoked deity should now be taken back to His original Glory. For this, Move the deity or picture a little to the north, chanting

Asmaad bimbaad ( chithra pate) s(h)ri devam ( or devim) yathaa sthaanam pradishtaapayaami



Dedication to the Lord:

Kaayena vaachaa manasendryairvaa buddhyaathmanaa vaa prakrthes svabhaavaath

Karomi yadhyath sakalam parasmai naaraayanaayethi samarpayaami



Now pour a spoon of water in the cup chanting

Om thathsath ithi brahmaarpanamasthu


Love & regards,

Chithra.

 

Simple Daily Routine.

Light the lamp and chant the Deepa Shlokams I have already given.
Then chant the following lines:
1 -
Om s(h)ree Agra Roopaya namah
Salutations to the prime force in creation.
Om s(h)ree Matr(u) Pithr(u)byo namah
Salutations to my parents.
Om s(h)ree Gurubhyo namah
Salutations to my Gurus.
Om s(h)ree Kula Devathaayai namah
Salutations to my Kuladevatha
Om s(h)ree Ishta Devathaayai namah
Salutations to my Ishta devatha
Om s(h)ree Maha Ganapathayae namah
Salutations to Sree Maha Ganapathy
Om s(h)ree Krishnaaya Paramaathmanae namah
Salutations to Lord Krishna
2 -
As(h)vathi Nakshathrebyom namah
Salutations to all stars
Maeshaadi Raas(h)ibyom namah
Salutations to all Ras(h)is
Sarva Dig Devathaabhyom namah
Salutations to all the 8 ( cardinal & intercardinal) directions
( mention the tamil year's name) Naama Samvathsaraaya namah
Salutations to the ongoing year
3 -
Uththarayanaaya namah
Salutations to Utharayanam
Dakshinaayanaaya namah
Salutations to Dhakshinaayanam
Sarva Rh(u)thubhyom namah
Salutations to all Seasons
Sarva Maasaebyom namah
Salutations to all Months
S(h)ukla Pakshaaya namah
Salutations to S(h)ukla Paksha
Krishna Pakshaaya namah
Salutations to Krishna Paksha

Next, do the naivedyam. For daily use any dry fruit is enough. Chant any of the naivedyam shlokas.
Now light the camphor , hold the camphor stand in the right hand and ring the bell with the left hand.
In front of the deity make three clockwise rounds chanting
Na thathra suryo bhaathi na chandra thaarakam
naemaa vidyutho bhanthih kutho(a)yayamagnih
Thamaevabaavamanubhaanthi sarvam
Thasya bhaasaa sarvam ivam vibhaathi
Now turn to
East and say Indraaya namah
Southeast - Agnayae namah
South - Yamaaya namah
Southwest - Nirrh(u)thayae namah
West - Varunaaya namah
Northwest - Vaayavae namah
North - Kubaeraaya namah
Northeast - Ees(h)aanaaya namah
After saying this take the camphor stand in a clockwise direction all round the house, ringing the bell simultaneouly with the left hand. When you go to the main entrance door, step out, show the camphor to the entrance, praying in the mind that only positive vibrations should enter the house through the main door.Then go back to the deity.

Completion of daily puja:
Prayers for prosperity and welfare of all humanity:

Svasthi prajabhyah parpaalayanthaam
Nyaayyaena maargaena maheem maheeshah
gobrahmanaebhyas(h)s(h)ubhamasthu nithyam
Lokaassamasthaassukhinobhavanthu

May there be happiness for all people
May the rulers righteously rule the earth
May all beings ever attain what is good.
May all beings be prosperous and happy

Kaalae varshathu parjanyah pr(u)thvee sas(h)ya s(h)aalinee
Des(h)o(a)yam kshobha rahithah brahmanaassanthu nirbhayaah

May the clouds pour rain in time.
May the earth be blessed with crops.
May our country be free from calamity.
May holy men live without fear.

Sarvae bhavanthu sukhinah sarvae santhu niraamayaah
Sarvae bhadraani pas(h)yanthu maa kas(h)chid dukkhabhaag bhavaeth

May all be happy. May all be free from disease.
May all realise what is good. May none be subject to misery.

Asathomaa sadgamaya thamaso maa jyothirgamaya
mr(u)thyormaa(a)mr(u)tham gamaya

From the unreal lead me to the Real.
From darkness lead me to Light.
From death lead me to Immortality.

Om Poornamadah poornamidam poornath poorna mudachyadae
Poornasya poornamaadaaya poornamaevaavas(h)ishyathae
Om s(h)anthih s(h)anthih s(h)anthih

All that is invisible is verily the Infinite Brahman.
All that is visible is also the Infinite Brahman.
The whole Universe has come out of the Infinite Brahman.
Brahman is infinite although the whole universe has come out of it.
Om, peace, peace, peace.

Love and regards,
Chithra.

 

Sri Rama Navami - Shlokas & Naivedyam

This is a simple Rama shlokam, yet very powerful.
1 - Aapadaam apaharthaaram daathaaram sarvasampadaam
Lokaabhiraamam s(h)ri ramam bhooyo bhooyo namaamyaham

ஆபதா(3)ம் அபஹர்தாரம் தா(3)தாரம் ஸர்வஸம்பதா(3)ம்
லோகாபி(4)ராமம் ஸ்ரீராமம் பூ(4)யோ பூ(4)யோ நமாம்யஹம்

2 - Aarthaanaam aarthihanthaaram bheethaanaam bheethi naas(h)anam
dvishadaam kaala dandam tham raamachandram namaamyaham

ஆர்த்தானாம் ஆர்த்திஹந்தாரம் பீ(4)தானாம் பீ(4)தி நாச(H)னம்
த்(3)விஷதா(3)ம் காலத(3)ண்ட(3)ம் தம் ராமசந்த்(3)ர நமாம்யஹம்

3 - Sannaddha kavachee khadgee chaapa baana dharo uvaa
Gachchan mamaagratho nithyam raamah paathu salakshmanah

ஸன்னத்(3)த(4) கவசீ கட்(3)கீ(3) சாப பா(4)ண த(4)ரோ யுவா
க(30ச்சன் மமாக்(3)ரதோ நித்யம் ராம: பாது சலக்ஷ்மண:

4 - Namah kothanda hasthaaya sandhee kr(u)tha s(h)araaya cha
khandithaakhila daithyaaya raamaayaapan nivaaranae

நம: கோத(3)ண்ட(3) ஹஸ்தாய ஸந்தீ(4) க்ருத ச(H)ராயச
கண்டிதாகில தை(3)த்யாய ராமாயாபன் நிவாரணே

5 - Raamaaya raamabadraaya raamachandraaya vaedhasae
Ragunaathaaya naathaaya seethaayaah pathayae namah

ராமாய ராமப(4)த்(3)ராய ராமசந்த்(3)ர வேத(4)ஸே
ரகு(4)நாதாய நாதாய ஸீதாயா: பதயே நம:

6 - agrathah pr(u)shtathaschaiva paars(h)vathascha mahaabalow
Aakarnapoornadhanvaanow rakshaethaam raama lakshanow

அக்(4)ரத: ப்ருஷ்டதச்(H)சைவ பார்ச்(H)வதச்(H)ச மஹாப(4)லௌ
ஆகர்ண பூர்ணத(4)ன்வாநௌ ரக்ஷேதாம் ராமலக்ஷ்மணௌ

1 & 2 are specially chanted when we are confronted with fear, problems & danger.
Rama destroys all distress of the distressed.
We pray to Rama to be always ready to help us when we need him.

5 & 6 are chanted whenever we step out of the house to go anywhere, including daily outings, journeys etc. In this shloka, we pray to Rama & Lakshmana to protect us from all visible & invisible forces.

The offerings To Lord Rama are, panakam, neer mor & cucumber kosemalli.
Whole moong payasam is offered in many families.This payasam,panakam & cucumber kosemalli are given in Ask Chitvish.
For neer mor, blend 1 cup curds ( after removing malai ) with salt, hing, curry laves with 3-4 cups of water. Tempering 1/2 tsp mustard seeds in a few drops of oil is optional.

Love & regards,
Chithra.

 

Puja Format For Lord Ganesha - Part 1

Puja for Lord Ganesha:

The special days for Lord Ganesha are, Tuesdays, Fridays and both chathurthis.

1 – Decorate the lamp & light it, chanting

Deepo jyotih param brahma deepo jyotih janaardhanaha

Deepo harathu me paapam sandhyaa deepo namo(a)stutae

2 – Offer flowers chanting

shubham karoti kalyaanam aarogyam dhanasampadaha

shatru buddhi vinaas(h)aaya deepajyotih namo(a)stutae

Put the flower on the left of the deity and clean hands with water.

3 - Aasana puja: Sprinkle water on your seat while chanting ( this is to purify the seat )

Prithvi thvayaa dhrthaa lokaah devithvam vishnunaa dhrthaah

Thvam cha dhaarayamaam devi pavithram kuru chaasanam

4– Ganta puja – Ring the bell chanting ( this is to purify the atmosphere)

Jayadhwani mantra maatah svaahaa

Aagamaartham tu devaanaam gamanaartham thu rakshasaam

Kurve ghabntaaravam thathra devathaahvaana laanchanam

5 - Kalas(h)a puja: - Decorate the pot with water by applying kumkum & chandan – put a flower inside, cover with right palm & chant

Gangae cha yamunae chaiva godaavari sarasvathi

Narmadae sindu kaaveri jalae(a)smin sannidim kuru

6 – Aathma puja: - Worship of the Self:

Deho devaalayah prokthah jeevodevas sanaathanah

Thyajeda(k)jnaana nirmaalyam so(a)ham bhaavena pujayeth

Shubham karoti kalyaanam aarogyam dhanasampadaha

Shatru buddhi vinaas(h)aaya deepajyotih namo(a)stutae

7 – Achamanam: Take a sip of water after chanting each line.

Om achyuthaaya namah

Om ananthaaya namah

Om govindaaya namah

8 – Fold both hands and chant:

Om s(h)ree Agraroopaaya namah

Om s(h)ree Gurubhyom namah

Om s(h)ree mathr(u)pithr(u)byom namah

Om s(h)ree Kuladevathaayai namah

Om s(h)ree Ishtadevathaayai namah

Om s(h)ree Mahaaganapathayae namah

Om s(h)ree Krishnaaya Paramaathmanae namah

9 – Vigneswara Dhyanam:

Visualise Lord Ganesha.

Lightly tap the temples 5 times with knuckles and chant

S(h)uklaa mbharadharam vishnum s(h)as(h)ivarnam chathurbhujam

Prasannavadanam dhyaayaeth sarvavigno(u)pa s(h)aanthayae

10 – Sankalpam:

Clasp the right palm over the left palm holding a flower, place them on the right thigh and chant

Mamopaaththa samastha durithakshayadvaaraa s(h)ree paramaes(h)vara (narayana)preethyarththam

Thadaevalagnam sudinam thadaeva

Thaaraabalam chandrabalam thadaeva

Vidhyaabalam daivabalam thadaeva

S(h)ree lakshmipathae(a)ngreeukam smaraami

Krishyamaanasya karmanah nirvighnaena parisamaapyartham

Aadou Vighnes(h)vara poojaam karishyae

To be continued.

Love & regards,
Chithra.

 

Puja Format For Lord Ganesha - Part 2

11 – Dhyanam:

Ganaanaam thvaam ganapathimhavaamahae

Kavim kaveenaam upamas(h)ra vasthamam

Jyaeshta raajam brahmanaam brahmanaspatha aanah

Shr(u)nvannothibhihsseeda saadanam

12 - Aavahanam - Invocation.

In this step, we visualise the deity in our mind & offer flower or akshathai to the form or picture of the deity. Thereby we invoke the deity in the image.

Asmin bimbe ( chithralatae) Shri Mahaganapathim aavahayaami

13 - Aasanam - offering seat:

Offer flowers at the feet & chant

Aasanam samarpayaami

13 a - Paadhyam - washing the feet:

Offer one spoon of water from the cup with water to the empty cup & chant

Paadhyam samarpayaami

14 - Arghyam - Washing the hands:

Offer one spoon of water from the cup with water to the empty cup & chant

Arghyam samarpayaami
15 - Aachamaniyam - Inner purification;

Offer one spoon of water from the cup with water to the empty cup & chant

Aachamaniyam samarpayaami
16 - Madhuparkam - offering water

Offer one spoon of water from the cup with water to the empty cup & chant

Madhuparkam samarpayaami

17 - Snaanam - Bath:

Offer one spoon of water from the cup with water to the empty cup & chant

Snaanam samarpayaami

Again water for inner purification

Snaanaanantharam aachamaneeyam samarpayaami

18 - Vasthram - Offering Cloth:

Offer flowers or akshathai chanting

Vasthram samarpayaami

Upaveetham samarpayaami

19 - Aabharanam - Offering ornaments:
Offer flowers or akshathai, chanting

Aaabharanam samarpayaami

20 - Gandham & Kumkumam - Offering sandalpaste & kumkum:

Offer flowers or akshathai, chanting

Gandhaan dhaarayaami

Ghandhasyopari haridraakumkumam samarpayaami

21 - Pushpam - offering flowers

Offer flowers or akshathai, chanting

Pushpaam ( pushpaani) samarpayaami

To be continued.

Love & regards,
Chithra.

 

Puja Format For Lord Ganesha - Part 3

Pushpaih poojayaami:

Start doing archanai with flowers or akshathai or copper or silver coins.

Om Sumukhaaya namah

Om Ekadanthaaya namah

Om Kapilaaya namah

Om Gajakarnakaaya namah

Om Lambodaraaya namah

Om Vikataaya namah

Om Vighnaraajaaya namah

Om Vinaayakaaya namah

Om Ganaadhipaaya namah

Om Dhoomakaethavae namah

Om Ganaadhyakshaaya namah

Om phaalachandraaya namah

Om Gajaananaaya namah

Om Vakrathundaaya namah

Om s(h)oorpakarnaaya namah

Om Haerambaaya namah

Om Skandapoorvajaaya namah

Om Siddhivinaayakaaya namah

Om s(h)ri Mahaaganapathayae namah

Uthara Pooja
22 - Dhoopam - Offering Incense:

Show the incense ( agarbathi) clockwise 3 times, chanting

Dhoopam aaghraapayami

23 - Deepam - Offering deepam from a small lamp;

Show another small lamp in front of the deity, clockwise, three times, simultaneously ringing bell with the left hand

Deepam sandars(h)ayaami

Offer one spoon of water from the cup with water to the empty cup & chant

Deepaanantharam aachamaneeyan samarpayaami


24 - Naivedhyam - Offering food ( dry or fresh fruit

Sprinkle one spoon of water on the naivedhyam & ringing the bell, offer the naivedhyam (broken coconut, fruits etc,) chanting

Om bhoorbhuvassuvah

Amrthopahstharanamasi

Praanaayah svaahaa

Apaanaya svaahaa

Vyaanaaya svaahaa

Udaanaa ya svaahaa

Samaanaaya svaahaa

Brahmane svaahaa

Naivedhyam nivedayaami

Offer one spoon of water from the cup with water to the empty cup & chant

Naivedyaanantharam aachamaneeyam samarpayaami

Offer betel leaves & nuts ( thamboolam), Chanting

Thaambulam samarpayaami

25 - Karpura niranjanam - offering lighted camphor:

Stand & show lighted camphor clockwise, ringing the bell with the left hand, chanting

Karpoora neeranjanam samarpayaami

Pour one spoon of water in cup chanting

Karpoora neeraajananantharam aachamaneeyam samarpayaami

26 - Vandanam - thanksgiving:

Offer flowers chanting
Manthrapushpam samarpayaami

27 – Atma Pradakshinam

Do self pradakshinam clockwise three times chanting

Yaani kaanicha paapaani janmaanthara krithaanicha

Thaani thaani vinas(h) yanthi Pradakshina pade pade


28 – Prarthana:

Offer namaskarams, chanting

Namo namo Ganes(h)aaya namasthae vis(h)va roopinae

Nirvighnam kurumae kaamam namaami thvaam gajaanana

Agajaanana padmaarkam gajaananam aharnis(h)am

Anaekadanthambhakthaanaam ekadanthamupaasmahae

Vinaayaka varam daehi mahaathman modakapriya

Avighnam kurumae deva sarva kaaryeshu sarvadaa

Vakrathunda mahaakaaya sooryakoti samaprabha

Nirvighnam kurumaedevaa sarvakaaryeshu sarvadaa

Pradakshina namaskaaraan samarpayaami

The invoked deity should now be taken back to His original Glory.

For this, Move the deity or picture a little to the north, chanting

Asmaad bimbaad ( chithra pate) mahaaganapathim yathaa sthaanam pradishtaapayaami

29 - Dedication to the Lord:

Kaayena vaachaa manasendryairvaa buddhyaathmanaa vaa prakrthes svabhaavaath

Karomi yadhyath sakalam parasmai naaraayanaayethi samarpayaami

Now pour a spoon of water in the cup chanting

Om thathsath ithi brahmaarpanamasthu

Om s(h)anthih s(h)anthih s(h)antih

Love & regards,
Chithra.

 

A simple puja setup !

I have kept silver vethalai, pakku, 2 plantains, coconut, akshathai, flowers for archanai etc in a plate, just to give you all an idea. This is just a fraction of the puja things available in Sukra in Mylapore, which is, by far, the best for puja articles.
Love & regards,
Chithra.

 

A second one, please !

This is a closeup of the silver puja articles.
Love & regards,
Chithra.

 

Deepalakshmi Puja Format - Part 1.

This puja is done for the general welfare of the family.

Friday is the most ideal day.

Wash and wipe any lamp – silver or brass. Steel is best avoided.

Apply chandan & kumkum to the lamp.

You can light 2 or 5 wicks, depending on how much oil the lamp will hold.

Optional:

On either side of the same, keep 2 small lamps.

On your left side ( right side of the above) can be “ ghee lamp”.

On your right side (left side of the above) light with gingelly oil & the wick should be red in colour, by smearing the same with kumkum.

Things to get ready:

Clean the floor or a palakai & put kolam. Over the kolam, keep a plate in brass, copper , terracota or silver. On that plate keep a few rice grains. On this, keep the lamp, decorated with chandanam, kumkum and flowers.

By the side, keep the 2 small lamps as mentioned above. Please remember this step is optional.

Keep ready – chandanam, kumkum, akshathai, vethalai-pakku, fruits ( fresh or dry), coconut broken into two, oothupathi, camphor, panchapathram& spoon with water ( substitute a tumbler), another cup to collect the water,flowers or coins to do archanai, arathi to be taken at the end

It is customary to offer as naivedyam (1) rice cooked with few grains of dhal ( 2) any payasam


We are invoking Devi – Lalitha or Bhuvaneshwari- on the lamp. Adi Shankara has mentioned that when we worship Bhuvaneshwari, Shri Mahalakshmi also comes by her side and blesses us.

Thaan saevathae vasumathee svayamaeva lakshmeeh

So we can call this “ Bhuvaneshvari Mahalakshmi Puja” ( reference – Jayamangala stotram)

1 – Decorate the lamp & light it, chanting


Deepo jyotih param brahma deepo jyotih janaardhanaha

Deepo harathu me paapam sandhyaa deepo namo(a)stutae

2 – Offer flowers chanting

shubham karoti kalyaanam aarogyam dhanasampadaha

shatru buddhi vinaas(h)aaya deepajyotih namo(a)stutae



Put the flower on the left of the deity and clean hands with water.

3 - Aasana puja: Sprinkle water on your seat while chanting ( this is to purify the seat )

Prithvi thvayaa dhrthaa lokaah devithvam vishnunaa dhrthaah

Thvam cha dhaarayamaam devi pavithram kuru chaasanam

4– Ganta puja – Ring the bell chanting ( this is to purify the atmosphere)

Jayadhwani mantra maatah svaahaa



Aagamaartham tu devaanaam gamanaartham thu rakshasaam



Kurve ghabntaaravam thathra devathaahvaana laanchanam

5 - Kalas(h)a puja: - Decorate the pot with water by applying kumkum & chandan – put a flower inside, cover with right palm & chant

Gangae cha yamunae chaiva godaavari sarasvathi

Narmadae sindu kaaveri jalae(a)smin sannidim kuru



6 – Aathma puja: - Worship of the Self:

Deho devaalayah prokthah jeevodevas sanaathanah



Thyajeda(k)jnaana nirmaalyam so(a)ham bhaavena pujayeth




7 – Achamanam: Take a sip of water after chanting each line.


Om achyuthaaya namah



Om ananthaaya namah



Om govindaaya namah

8 – Fold both hands and chant:

Om s(h)ree Agraroopaaya namah

Om s(h)ree Gurubhyom namah

Om s(h)ree mathr(u)pithr(u)byom namah

Om s(h)ree Kuladevathaayai namah

Om s(h)ree Ishtadevathaayai namah

Om s(h)ree Mahaaganapathayae namah

Om s(h)ree Krishnaaya Paramaathmanae namah

9 – Vigneswara Dhyanam:

Visualise Lord Ganesha.

Lightly tap the temples 5 times with knuckles and chant

S(h)uklaa mbharadharam vishnum s(h)as(h)ivarnam chathurbhujam

Prasannavadanam dhyaayaeth sarvavigno(u)pa s(h)aanthayae

10 – Sankalpam:

Mamo(u)paaththa samastha duritha kshayadvaaraa S(h)ree Paramaes(h)

varee Paramaes(h)vara preethyartham samastha loka sukha

praapthyartham mama saha kutumbaanaam kshaemasthyrya veerya

vijaya aayuraarogya aishvaryaanaam abhivruddhyartham dharmaartha

kaama moksha chathurvidha phala purushaarththa siddhyartham sarva

roga nivaaranaartham mama ishta kaamyaartha siddhyartham mama


gr(u)hae ashtalakshmi nivaasanaartham Alamelumangaa samaetha

Prasanna Venkataes(h)vara prasaada siddhyartham Meenakshi

somasundaraes(h)vara prasaada Siddhyartham s(h)ree Bhuvanes(h)vari

Mahalakshmi padaaravindae achanchalaa bhakthi Siddhyartham mama

dheerga soumangalya praapthyartham sarva mangala praapthyartham

S(h)ree Bhuvanaes(h)varee S(h)ree Mahaalakshmee pojaam karishyae


To be continued.

Love & regards,
Chithra.