Siddheshwar Joshi Guruji

Vastu Shanti Puja resolves the defects of inception and protects the house by draining off any evil, immoral or negative vibes. It also concedes humanity if any entity came to any suffering or distress during any work. Vastu Shanti puja is a spiritual ritual to worship Vastu Purush. The Vastu Purush signifies power, spirit, and energy residing in a building, be it a home, industry or shop. Vastu Purush safeguards the building. Vastu in Sanskrit means environment, surrounding or atmosphere, but it is more connected with the shelter or house. The word “Vastu” means something existing such as home, building, shelter, etc. Ancient saints of India established many principles for constructing structures taking benefit of nature, the Pancha Maha-Bhootas (Earth, Air, Fire, Space, and Water), Gravitational and Magnetic impacts and rotational effects of Sun, Moon, Earth and other planets on the life on Earth. These principles, called Vastu Shastra, were developed over thousands of years out of practice and foresight of ancient saints of India and are very important for the well-being of humankind. Shanti Puja or Yagya is performed for rectifying negative influences in any constructions; be it residential, commercial, industrial or otherwise.

Laghu Rudrabhishek is a very important ritual in which the Panchamarit Pooja is offered to Lord Shiva. This pooja is performed by experienced priests and they recite very powerful mantras. These mantras bring good luck and fulfill all the desires of the person who performs the pooja. Lord Shiva is the destroyer of all the evil and the Supreme Being. Worship to the Lord also spreads spirituality and peace in the lives of the human beings. Laghu Rudrabhishek is one of the rudras of Lord Shiva and hence it is also popular as the Maha Rudra Abhishek. Laghu Rudrabhishek pooja is also the best way to overcome all the issues and problems of health, wealth and prosperity.

This is the mother of all Devi yagyas and the greatest homage you can pay to the Divine Mother. In the above Chandi homam Durga Saptashati is recited once and havan performed with each of the 700 verses where as in the Shata Chandi yagyam Durga Sapta Shati 700 verses are recited 100 times and havan performed 700 x 100 times.

Maha Rudrabhishek is a ritual dedicated to Lord Shiva and performed to get rid of the negative effects of planet Saturn. Through this pooja one seeks the blessings of Lord Shiva. The month of Shravan is dedicated to Lord Shiva according to the ancient Hindu Vedic calendar and Hindu mythology. Lord Shiva is also considered as the supreme of all Gods and the source of creation. There is an immense relationship between Lord Shiva, Saturn, and the Rudra. Panchamrut pooja is offered to lord Mahakaleshwar along with reciting powerful hymns that will fulfill the wishes of the person who is performing this abhisheka. During the incarnation of Lord Vishnu as Sri Rama, he performed Rudrabhishek pooja at Rameswaram before crossing the sea. He worshiped Lord Shiva as the Rudra form. This is one of the greatest Poojas that will remove all the obstacles. This pooja takes place with full spirituality as well as rituals. Listening to the Rudram Mantra and chanting benefits the devotees and removes all sins. In order to perform this pooja, devotees make homa kundas within the worship area.

Kaal Sarp Dosh Puja is performed to remove the harmful effects of kaal sarp dosh. It is a condition when all seven planets come between Ketu and Rahu. Hence, a person comes under the influence of Ketu and Rahu and devotees believe it to be a very harmful Sarpa Dosha.

Mahamrityunjaya Mantra is a very important Shiv Pooja that was started by Shukracharya. This pooja helps to save the devotees from any kind of threatening ailments or disease and to lengthen their lifespan. One can even perform this pooja at his home by following the right rituals. This mantra has many forms as well as names. Also known as Rudra mantra, it has miraculous effects in the lives of the people who perform it. Chanting of this mantra helps to relieve the individual from the death and rebirth cycle. And hence this mantra is also known as the moksha mantra.

Navchandi word refers to nine avataras of goddess “Durga”. The Nine avataras mentioned in “Chandi Puran” are: (1) Shailputri, (2) Bramhacharini, (3) Chandraghanta, (4) Kushmanda, (5) Skandamata, (6) Katyayani, (7) Kalratri, (8) Mahagauri and (9) Siddhidatri. It is said that, during the auspicious period of Navratri, if any person reads/listens Saptashati paath and does Navachandi yagya, all his/her wishes comes true by the grace of goddess “Durga”.

Satyanarayana Pooja is one of the most popular rituals performed to appease Lord Vishnu and receive his blessings. The word “Satya” means Truth and “Narayana” means The Highest Being. Together they mean “The highest being who is the embodiment of truth”. The ritual is mentioned in Reva Kanda of Skanda Purana. It is believed that the Satyanarayana Pooja was performed by Kings, Merchants, Traders and Businessmen to appease Lord Vishnu and to increase their financial stability. Though the Pooja is performed by Hindus all over India, it is especially popular in the states of Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Odisha, Tamilnadu, and Karnataka.

‘Sapta’ means seven; ‘Shata’ means hundred; hundred female version of goddesses means “Saptashati”. There are 700 chanting (shlokas/mantras) in saptashati, in which importance of Goddess durga and her three types of elements (Trigunatmak) powers (shaktis) has been elaborated. Sage (rishi) Vyas is said to be the creator of 18 puranas, out of which, in the “Markandeya” puran there are sections (adhyayas) from 81 to 93, in which 700 shlokas (mantras) of saptashati have been elaborated. Apart from these 700 shlokas (mantras), there are 3 other important shlokas (mantras), named “Kavach”, “argala” and “kilak” and there are 3 types of secrets (rahasya) mentioned in saptashati. When all the above shlokas (mantras) have been performed, it is said that the reading of “saptashati path” has been completed successfully. If a person reads the above mentioned saptashati paath for 10 times, including reading of the paath for 2 additional times as replacement of hawana, that means total 12 paathas of saptashati, it is said that person has performed “pathatmak saptashati” (in the form of “paath: reading” and not in the form of “Havana”, as many a times there is not sufficient place available to perform “Havana”).

Ganesh Yag is the most beneficial and significant part of Ganesha Upasana. Ganesh Yag has the potency to destroy all evil energies and ward off your enemies, bless you with children and bestow progress and prosperity. Getting this puja done at your home will ensure that you and your family is blessed with special blessings given by Lord Ganesha. In this ritual, the panchang karma is done and the idol of Lord Ganesh is installed. The Navagrah pooja is done and 1000 ‘modaks’, Lord Ganesha’s favorite sweet, is offered in the havan along with the chant of Shirsh Paath. Why do puja? Praying to Lord Ganesha assures one of having knowledge, children, money, and prosperity.