Puja thalis hold a paramount position in the rituals of Hindu puja. These meticulously crafted plates play a vital role in the worship ceremonies, acting as a vessel for various sacred substances. But what exactly is a Pooja Thali?
What is Pooja Thali?
A Pooja Thali is a plate designed to hold the essential articles required for a Hindu ritual or puja. It’s a symbolic representation of devotion and respect for the deities. Traditionally, it’s crafted with materials like metal, wood, or even clay, and often features intricate designs or engravings depicting auspicious symbols or deities. These thalis come in various sizes, ranging from small, personal ones to larger ones meant for grand ceremonies.
The Significance
Puja plays a vital role in Hindu culture, marking various occasions and festivals. It’s a practice that fosters a deep connection with the divine. The Puja Thali serves as a vessel for this connection, holding all the elements that facilitate the communion between the devotee and the deity. The careful arrangement of these substances is a testament to the devotion and reverence of the worshipper.
How to Arrange the Substances in Puja Thali?
The arrangement of substances in a Puja Thali is an art in itself. Each element is placed with precision to ensure a harmonious and spiritually enriching experience. Here’s a basic guide:
Ghee Lamp: This symbolizes the presence of the divine. It’s usually placed in the center as it radiates light and energy.
Kalash: A vessel filled with water and topped with leaves and a coconut, representing purity and abundance, is placed on the right side.
Akshata: These are rice grains mixed with turmeric, used for sprinkling during the puja to purify the surroundings.
Bell: Placed on the left side, ringing it signifies inviting the deity to accept the offerings.
Vessels for Kumkum and Turmeric Powder: These are kept for applying tilak to the devotees, signifying blessings and protection.
Flowers: Fresh flowers are used as a form of offering and adornment in the thali.
Incense Sticks: They are lit to create a fragrant atmosphere, believed to purify the environment.
Prasad: Usually a sweet or food item, it represents the blessings of the deity.
Items Used in Hindu Puja
Apart from the aforementioned elements in the Puja Thali, Hindu puja involves an array of other items. These may include flowers, garlands, idols of deities, yantras (sacred geometrical symbols), sandalwood paste, and more. Each of these items holds its own significance in the ritual, contributing to a complete and heartfelt worship experience.
Final Words
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Yoga is an invaluable gift of India’s ancient tradition, with the legacy of 5000 year old ritual that can be traced back to the Indus- Saraswati civilization. Derived from the Sanskrit word ‘Yuj’, Yoga means to unite the mind and soul into a spiritual being. Continue reading 9 Myth about Yoga: Busted→
The holiest month of the year in the Hindu calendar is here and Each Monday of this month, known as Shravan Somvar, is a special day cited in Shivpuran. It is a day when an idol is bathed with holy water or dharanatra hangs over the linga. Devotees from across the world mound the linga high with bel leaves and flowers and undergoes fast till sunset. They receive the eternal blessing of Lord Shiva by observing fasts and worshipping assiduously. As we all know, how innocent Lord Shiva is and get impressed easily with devotees. That’s the only reason he is also known as ‘Bholenath’. Shivpuran has provided some really easy ways to perform puja during Sawan month and fulfill all your wishes.
Its February time and with board exams round the corner in March and April, every mother would think of celebrating saraswathi puja at their homes, so that her children’s can invoke the blessings of the goddess.
This puja is celebrated in the month of phalgun month (January to February), and is celebrated popularly in the eastern region and is mostly celebrated by the youth in colleges, schools etc.
Moreover, this festival is observed during different times in different parts of India.
In south India, this puja is celebrated during Navratri, which is also called the Mahanavami day, also observed as Ayudha puja and Saraswati puja.
Keep these things in mind during puja celebration:
Satyanarayan puja is the most popular puja or Hindu ritual in India. Satya means truth and Narayan means the highest being. Satyanarayan is the God who is the chief embodiment of truth. Since the ancient days devotees are performing this ritual to invite well being and prosperity at home. It is said that if the puja is done with all faith and devotion, the problems and obstacles get resolved.
Shri Satyanarayan Vrat
Purnima Tithi Timing:
March 24, 09:55 AM – March 25, 12:30 PM
All Shri Satyanarayan Vrat dates in 2024
January 25th
Thursday
Purnima Tithi Timing : Jan 24, 9:50 PM – Jan 25, 11:24 PM
February 24th
Saturday
Purnima Tithi Timing : Feb 23, 3:34 PM – Feb 24, 6:00 PM
March 25th
Monday
Purnima Tithi Timing : Mar 24, 9:55 AM – Mar 25, 12:30 PM
April 23rd
Tuesday
Purnima Tithi Timing : Apr 23, 3:26 AM – Apr 24, 5:18 AM
May 23rd
Thursday
Purnima Tithi Timing : May 22, 6:48 PM – May 23, 7:23 PM
June 21st
Friday
Purnima Tithi Timing : Jun 21, 7:32 AM – Jun 22, 6:37 AM
Purnima Tithi Timing : Aug 19, 3:05 AM – Aug 19, 11:55 PM
September 17th
Tuesday
Purnima Tithi Timing : Sep 17, 11:44 AM – Sep 18, 8:04 AM
October 17th
Thursday
Purnima Tithi Timing : Oct 16, 8:41 PM – Oct 17, 4:56 PM
November 15th
Friday
Purnima Tithi Timing : Nov 15, 6:19 AM – Nov 16, 2:58 AM
December 15th
Sunday
Purnima Tithi Timing : Dec 14, 4:59 PM – Dec 15, 2:31 PM
Satyanarayan puja is widely popular amongst the devotees. It is a simple puja with not too many rituals. You can perform this puja in any age. This puja is perfect to portray that it is not the God who matters but the faith and the love of devotees that matters the most. Though it can be performed any day and any time, especially when you are starting something auspicious. However, the devotees generally choose the Purniam and Ekadashi to perform the puja.
If you start looking for a spiritual significance of Satyanarayan puja you will be amazed to find how big role it plays in the life of Hindu devotees. Satya means truth and Narayan is the highest being. Satyanarayan signifies the worshipping of highest embodiment of truth.
• Every puja should start with the utterance of Gayatri mantra.
• Then it is customary to invoke the blessings of Lord Ganesha
• Then comes the consecrating of water on puja items and devotees for shuddhi.
• Then breaking a coconut and offering to God is customary
• Read the Satyanarayan katha to invoke blessings
Follow these vidhi and welcome prosperity in your life and in your home.
According to traditional Hindu calendar, Gita Jayanti occurs in the month of Margashirsha month, during the Shukla Ekadashi Tithi, on the 11th day of the waxing moon. This is also known as Moksha/Mokshada Eadashi.
Gita Jayanti symbolizes the birth of Srimaad Bhagawad-Gita, which is considered as the sacred manuscript of the Hindus. As per Gregorian calendar, Gita Jayanti falls during the month of November or December. Moksha Ekadasi fast on Gita Jayanti is a significant Ekadashi fast. It is believed that fasting on Moksha Ekadashi benefits to accomplish ‘moksha’. Knowingly or unknowingly people suffer from guilt, they should observe this fast to get their sins erased.
Bhagawad-Gita contains eighteen chapters and it is a resource of immense knowledge for humankind. It is believed that, Sri Krishna represented the “Bhagawad Gita” as a divine gift to Arjuna in the battleground of Kurukshetra, which is in Haryana, India at present.
This year Gita Jayanti/ Moksha Ekadashi will occur on December 21, 2015. Ekadashi Tithi begins at 03:30 on December 21, and it ends at 01:11 on December 22, 2015.
The Puja Preparation:
It is a momentous fasting day for devotees. Devotees offer prayers to Vishnu and Krishna and observe religious rituals by reading the divine chants from Bhagawad Gita. People who are observing fast/vrat must maintain clarity & purity from the day before Ekadashi, which is called Chaitra Shukla Pakshya Dashami. The person who is observing the fast should sleep on the ground, on Dashami Tithi night, before the Ekadashi day starts. The period of this vrat/fast is for one day, and the devotees follow all the rituals since Dashami itself. A devotee needs to get up early in the morning for a soil bath, and after that, the observer is supposed to perform all the rituals of the puja and worship Lord Vishnu/ Satya Narayana.
Ingredients for the Puja:
Vishnu and Laxmi ji Resting on Sheshnag
• A Picture of the Lord Vishnu/ Idol of Lord Vishnu
• One Bhagawad Gita – The sacred book
• Fruits, Flowers (white, red & yellow)
• Chowki/ Puja Platform
• Copper or Silver Kalash
• Akshata – (Unbroken Raw Rice)
• Sacred Thread (Moli), Roli, Holy Water
• Yellow clothes for Offering (Vastra)
• Special prasad offering for Lord Vishnu – Panjiri, Halva, Kheer
• Deepak/Diyas, Two Big Brass Lamps (with Wicks, Oil/Ghee)
• Incense Sticks (Agarbatti)
• Camphor (Karpoor), Kumkum, Sandal Wood Powder/Paste (Chandan), Turmeric (Haldi)
• 108 Basil Leaves & Garlands (Tulsi)
• Naivedyam, Coconut, Coconut Water
• Rice, Gold or Silver Coin, Gold Chain
• Extra Kalash (pot), Trays, Vessels
• Betel Nuts & Betel Nut Leaves (Paan)
• Banana Leaves & Banana, Mango Leaves
• Panchaamrita – (Honey, Milk, Ghee, Curd, Sugar – All in One Cup)
• Sweets & Dakshina for Bramhins
• Jaap Mala & Puja Book
Puja Vidhi/ Process:
According to the rituals, devotees take early morning bath and observe a fast/vrat on this auspicious day. Puja is performed by decorating idols of Vishnu with new clothes and jewelry. Devotee should read Moksha Ekadashi Vrat Katha and worship Shrimad Bhagavad Gita, present Gita path and perform aarti.
• One should collect all the listed things at Puja place or in the temple.
• One can also keep images or idol of Lord Vishnu.
• Place the idol of Lord Vishnu on the decorated chowki.
• Put chandan tilak on Lord Vishnu’s forehead.
• Present Holy Basil (Tulsi) to Lord Vishnu especially.
• Light the incense sticks, diyas, offer flowers, water, fruits & sweets as prasad to Lord Vishnu.
• Light up camphor (Karpoor), and offer it to the Lord Vishnu in a clockwise mode which is called Aarati, and Nirajanam.
• Pray or meditate for few minutes and perform the Aarati offering the earthen lamps, dhoop stick. After lighting the diyas sprinkle holy water, roli, kumkum, haldi, rice and panchamrita on the idol.
• Sing Vishnu Sahasranama, along with the holy texts from Bhagawad Gita, Satya Narayana Vratakatha, and Vedic chants.
Source: www.iskcondesiretree.com
The main observance of this day is the Ekadashi Vrat. The person is observing the fast cannot have any grains like-barley, wheat, rice, moong daal and consumption of salt, garlic, onion is totally prohibited. Devotees can consume fruits, curd, nuts and milk. The Vrat/fast is for 24 hours, though you can opt for a partial fast because of health problems.
Devotees observing partial fast should avoid grains, oil, and salt, and eat curd, milk, fruits as well. While observing Moksha Ekadashi, devotee should stay away from alcohol, and non-vegetarian food.
Nirjala Moksha Ekadashi Vrata is considered one of the most significant Vratas from ancient times. As Lord Vishnu holds the position of a great spiritual idol and source of divine inspirations, people follow all the rituals of this day with great enthusiasm & devotion.
The day is observed by devotees all around the world with the analysis of Bhagawad Gita. Several seminars are organized on the day. The Hindu temples conduct extraordinary pujas on this auspicious day to dedicate Lord Vishnu and Sri Krishna. One can celebrate Gita Jayanti is by reading at least one verse from the Sri Bhagawad Gita.
On this auspicious day, the temples make doorway like structures for devotees to pass through. So, you should visit temples, perform Puja and offer prasad.
Brass Krishna With peacock
Devotees should break the fast within Dwadashi Tithi, next morning of Ekadashi before the Dwadashi ends. This vrat is observed from Ekadashi morning until the Dwadashi morning on the next day after taking bath and Morning Prayer to Lord Krishna . Fast is broken on the next day after taking bath and offering prayers to Lord Vishnu. Complete self-restraint from food on Ekadashi provides blissful consequences. Give a donation to Bramhins or any deprived person.
As per Hindu calendar, Jagaddhatri Puja is observed in the Kartik month on the ninth day of the waxing phase of the moon. Jagaddhatri puja is mainly observed in Chandannagar and Krishnanagar area in Bengal where it was originated. Generally, Goddess Jagaddhatri is referred as a different appearance of Maa Durga. According to literal denotation, the word ‘Jagaddhatri’ means ‘Holder (Dhatri) of the World (Jagat)’. This year Jagaddhatri Puja will take place on November 20, 2015.
A brief idea about the puja rituals:
Actual Jagaddhatri Puja rituals are celebrated for four days, Saptami, Ashtami, Navami and Dashami similar to Durga Puja. Devotees can get all the puja samagri before the main puja day. You can also get puja samagri, havan samagri online these days.
During the four days of the festival, the puja area should be cleaned prior to the puja days, decorated with lights and garlands. While beginning the Puja, the idol of Goddess Jagaddhatri is established.
On the day of Saptami, the goddess Jagaddhatri is worshipped as a sign of Yoga along with Dhak, Dhunuchi nachh and Vedic mantras along with flowers, naivedyam, and other offerings. On Ashtami day, the Goddess is worshipped as a source of affluence, nourishment, prosperity, and good luck. Prasad are distributed among devotees and in the neighborhoods.
The major celebration happens on the day of Nabami. At some places, animal sacrifices are arranged as a ritual. However, this ancient ritual now has been replaced with sacrifices of banana, cucumber etc. On Nabami day, in some places, havan or yagna is arranged. Dashami is the last day when the deity is immersed in a local pond or river.
The legend behind Govardhan puja is an interesting leela (story) of lord Krishna. Lord Vishnu incarnated in Dwapar Yuga, as a son of Vasudeva and Devaki. However, Nandji and Yashoda fostered him to keep him safe from his evil maternal uncle Kansha. It is believed that, Lord Krishna lifted Mount Govardhan with his little finger to protect ‘Brajwasi’ from downpour. Devotees also perform ‘Gou- puja’ on this day where they worship Cows and feed them.
This puja is also recognized as ‘Annakut Puja’. Devotees offer food made of wheat, rice, gram flour, and vegetables in a huge quantity, so it takes the structure of a mountain. This year Govardhan Puja will be celebrated on 12 November, on Thursday. The most significant Govardhan Puja takes place in Mathura. On this promising day, thousands of devotees execute Govardhan Parikrama on the day.
Preparation and Ingredients:
Devotees should put together all the Govardhan puja samagri before the main puja date. Some people van observe complete or partial fast depending on health condition. One should get all these following puja samagri for this puja.
1) Decorative items for Lord Krishna
2) Sugarcane Sticks, Two
3) Batasha, Chawal, Grains, Ghee, Dhal
4) Roli, Moli (Sacred Thread)
5) Brass/Copper Kalash, Earthen Lamp
6) Cow Dung or Mud
7) Payesam & Naivedyam
8) Akshata (Raw unbroken rice mixed with turmeric)
9) Paachamrita (Milk, Sugar, Ghee, Honey, Curd)
10) Betel Leaves, Betel Nuts, Mango Leaves
11) Different types of sweets including Puri, Halava, Sandesh, Rasagulla and Laddu
12) Silver Coin, Money for Dakshina
13) Krishna Puja Book
How to do Govardhan puja at home?
i) This puja is mainly performed in the morning. Using garden soil, devotees make a dummy/structure of Govardhan parvat (mountain). You should decorate it as if you are embellishing lord Krishna. After invoking the lord offer two sticks of sugarcane, curd, milk, and sweets followed by akshata, roli, moli, kumkum, and naivedyam to the Lord Vishnu.
ii) Initiate the aarti with earthen lamps, incense, and camphor. Perform minimum three parikrama around the form of mountain. After the puja is done, devotees should read the story of Lord Krishna and Govardhan Parvat and distribute prasad.
iii) Offer money as dakshina to the Bramhins who performed the puja.
iv) Significantly, the women of the residence eat the payesam first and consume the fresh cooked food.
According to Indian mythology it is believed that Vaman dev was the fifth incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Vamana Jayanti is considered as the birth anniversary of Vaman Dev, and the day is observed on the twelfth day of the Shukla Paksha of Bhadra/Bhadrapada month (August-September). This year, Vamana Jayanti will take place on 14th September, 2024.
Significance :-
According to deep-rooted Indian myths, Vamana Dev appeared as a dwarf on earth during Treta Yuga to give moksha to Asura King Bali, the grandson of Prahlada. He also helped Devas (Demi gods) who had lost their strength to Asura King Bali.
On this auspicious day, devotees worship Lord Vishnu with complete devotion. It is accepted that, the one who performs this puja with a pure heart; he/she gets freedom from all the sinful reactions, aberrant sufferings, and triumph over salvation. Thus, if one truthfully wishes sovereignty from the harsh world, one should observe Ekadashi fast on Vamana Jayanti.
Lord Vishnu temples organize special puja on this fortunate day. Devotees, specially Vaishnabas celebrate the festival by observing a fast, and night watch invoking Vaman avatar and offering 52 sweets, offerings and alms.
Rituals followed on Vamana Jayanti
• Devotee should organize a puja and get the required puja kits before the Ekadashi day.
• One should observe ‘nirjala’ fast throughout the day.
• The idol of Lord Vishnu should be washed grandly with holy water and panchamrita.
• Initiate the puja by chanting Beej mantra followed by presenting a seat (Asana) to the Lord Vishnu.
• One can offer rice and curd to satisfy Lord Vishnu, as it is considered auspicious.
• While performing the puja, devotee should chant ‘Vishnu Sahasranama’ and ‘Narayana Mantra’ for 108 times. “Om Namo Narayanaya”.
• While offering flowers, diyas, incense and naivedyam, one must chant 108 recitation of Lord Vishnu’s name with great devotion.
• In the evening, devotees listen to the mythological story ‘Vamana Katha’ along with family members. After that prasad is distributed among the devotees.
• For positivity and good luck one can donate foodstuff to Brahmins.
