Guide to Pujas, Festivals and Homas

Saraswati Puja Date for 2020 in India – Wednesday, January 29, 2020.

Saraswati Puja is considered to be the most auspicious puja in Indian culture. Goddess Saraswati is the goddess of knowledge and the sign of purity and peace. This puja plays a very important role in India’s culture of respect for learning. Saraswati puja is also popular as Vasant Panchami. Moreover, a typical image of Goddess Saraswati shows her sitting on a lotus flower or riding a swan. She is a tribute to power, confidence, and knowledge.

Saraswati Puja Overview

Dates	Wednesday, January 29, 2020
Deity	Goddess Saraswati
Related Festival	Vasant Panchami, Diwali, Navratri
Relevant Season	Spring
Significance	Goddess of Skills and Knowledge
Dress	Traditional

Significance Of Saraswati Puja in a Child’s Life

Children are encouraged to worship Maa Saraswati because of the educational value she holds. Here is why we should educate about the significance of Saraswati Puja in a child’s life –

1. Knowledge is Wealth: It is only through knowledge that an individual can conquer the world, which is why much emphasize has been given to knowledge and wisdom in the life of a student.
2. Art and Music: The Goddess encourages all sorts of arts and music apart from educational knowledge. A child should seek the blessings of this goddess in order to excel in all spheres of life.
3. Peace: Goddess Saraswati is seen on the peaceful lake of the mind, offering the peace of silent meditation, which is necessary for today’s fast-paced life. 
4. Following Traditions: Doing Saraswati Puja helps a child to stay in touch with the customs and traditions despite gaining knowledge of the world. 
5. Being Spiritual: Apart from engaging in all sorts of arts and music, students learn to become spiritual and respectful. They learn qualities like team-building, leadership, and corporation.

Why do we celebrate Saraswati Puja?

• Saraswati puja is celebrated for knowledge and is auspicious for students.
• Vasant Panchami is also an auspicious day to begin new work, to marry or to shift to a new home. The yellow colour is significant on this day.
• Devotees also worship Saraswati as the water deity who has purifying powers.
• The festival of Saraswati pooja is also an occasion of social celebrations. This puja is very common in eastern India.
• Further, on this day all the educational institutes worship the Goddess with lots of happiness.

What Goddess Saraswati Symbolizes?

The scripture she holds are the Vedas and represent knowledge, while the japa mala, or beads, represents discipline and concentration.

Goddess Saraswati	Symbolism
Her Four Arms	Her front arms depict the Goddess’ activity in the material realm while the back arms depict the activity in the spiritual realm.
Stringed Instrument, or Veena	The veena represents the arts and serves as a reminder to live in harmony with others and the world.
Book or Vedas	Represents the Truth or pure knowledge
Stringed Beads, or Japa Mala	Represents discipline, concentration, and meditation
White Clothing or Sari	Symbolic of purity
Lotus	A white lotus represents purity and knowledge.
Peacock	The peacock represents beauty and dance. Peacocks can also represent vanity and indecision.
Swan	The beautiful swan that is seen with the Goddess represents beauty. The swan is believed to have the ability to separate water from milk with its beak. This symbolizes how we should chose between right and wrong.

Who should perform Saraswati Puja?

• People who want to develop creativity, confidence and improve their skills should perform Saraswati pooja.
• Professionals can also perform this puja to gain success.
• Students perform this puja to increase their skills and talents in various fields.
• Performing Saraswati pooja also improves memory power and communication skills.

What are the benefits of performing Saraswati Puja?

Here is a list of benefits of performing Saraswati Puja:

• One gets the blessings of Goddess Saraswati. This helps in gaining knowledge and wisdom in one’s life.
• This puja also fills one’s life with lots of positivity and removes negativity.
• It also provides strength and empowerment in an individual’s life.
• After performing this puja, a person becomes more talented and skilled.

When should I perform Saraswati Puja?

• The 10th day of ‘Dussehra‘ or ‘Navratri‘ is included in the celebrations of Saraswati Puja.
• Devotees also also perform Saraswati Puja on Vasant Panchami. Vasant Panchmi also has other names like Saraswati Panchami and Shri Panchami.
• Also, many astrologists consider it an Abujha day. 
• Purvahna Kala decides the day on which Vasant Panchami falls. It is the time between the sunrise and midday.

How to do Saraswati Puja at home?

What are the Saraswati Puja Mantras?

Here are the mantras that one should utter while performing Saraswati Pooja:

What are the materials required for Saraswati Puja?

The materials required in Saraswati Pooja are:

Samagri/ Things required	Quantity
Mango Leaves	5
Ghee	1 Kg
Dhoop	100 Grams
Agarbatti	2 Packets
Saffron	as per requirement
Kumkum	100 Grams
Coconut	1
Rosewater	1 Bottle
Betel Leaf	5
Kapur	1 Packet
Gulal – Holi Colours	100 grams of each color
Turmeric powder	100 grams
Idol of Saraswati	1
Sandal	1 Pair
Coins	as per your requirement and facility.
Rice	100 grams
Fruits	Mixed Fruits as per your requirement
Diyas	5 minimum

Other requirements are:

1. Plate
2. Match Box
3. Ganga Jal
4. Lotus and Yellow flowers like Marigold
5. Kamal Gatte
6. Clean red cloth
7. Piper Beetle
8. Cotton Wicks
9. Marigold Flowers Garland
10. Kalash
11. Panchamrit

What to wear on Saraswati Puja?

• It is very important to wear only Yellow clothes on Saraswati Puja because this colour holds great significance for this Puja.
• Women can wear traditional dresses like Saree or Salwar.
• Men can wear traditional dresses like Dhoti.

What is the cost of performing Saraswati Puja?

Saraswati Puja with the prescribed materials ranges from Rs. 2000 to Rs.4000.

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What is Bhoomi Pooja?

Bhoomi pooja is a ritual performed in honour of Goddess Bhoomi and Vastu Purush (deity of directions). Bhoomi means Mother Earth. Hence, this pooja eradicates the ill effects and Vats Doshas in the land. Beginning prior to the construction of any structure, this smoothes out the process of construction.

Where does the Bhoomi Pooja take place?

• Bhoomi Pooja always takes place in the north-east corner of the construction site or for good agricultural yield.

Which Deity is worshipped in Bhoomi Pooja?

• This ritual is dedicated to Vastu Purusha, Goddess Bhoomi, Pancha boothas (the five elements of nature).
• This pooja takes place in accordance with Vastu Shastra.
• Also, the deity of directions is also honoured so as to eradicate all the ill effects and Vaastu doshas in the land.

Do’s and Dont’s after the purchase of Bhoomi or land

• It is of utmost importance to build the compound wall before constructing the house.
• The height of the southwest part of the wall should be higher in comparison to the other walls of the house.
• The east and north sides walls should be 21 inches shorter than the south and west sides walls.
• After the selection of the construction site, one must grow plants on the land.
• However, keeping a calf or cow in the land makes it all the more auspicious.
• Consulting a priest with experience to perform Bhoomi Pooja is very fruitful. Moreover, it adds happiness and prosperity to an individual’s life.

Who should perform Bhoomi Pooja?

Here’s who should perform Bhoomi Pooja:

• This pooja should be done by the head of the family alongside his wife.
• Also, this ritual of honouring the Mother Earth must take place in the presence of a proficient priest.
• A proficient priest will provide you with all the details for a Shubh Muhurat for the pooja. He can also help to carry out the task in a rightful manner.

What are the benefits of doing Bhoomi Pooja?

Here is a list of benefits of doing Bhoomi Pooja:

• It is a priority to seek the blessings of Mother Earth prior to the construction of a building or use of land for the cultivation purpose.
• This ritualistic pooja ensures that the land gets rid of all the evils and all the negativities from the land are reduced.
• Moreover, the Bhoomi Pooja helps in the smooth completion of work without any hurdles.
• It also guarantees the well being and happiness of the people ready to reside in the property. In the case of land use for the agricultural purpose then it helps to have better yields.
• Bhoomi Pooja invokes the Vaastu Purusha who grants his blessings to the worshipper.
• This pooja purifies the site of construction getting rid of any sort of negativity. It helps to pacify all the corners of the house to be built.

When should one perform Bhoomi Pooja?

• Months of Shravan, Margshirsh, Paush, and Kartik are ideal for Bhoomi pooja.
• Vastu time dictates the date for Bhoomi puja. Many times it falls twice in a month.
• The suitable weekdays for this pooja are Monday and Thursday. These two days are very auspicious for this pooja.
• Also, one must avoid performing this pooja on Saturdays, Sundays and Tuesdays.
• It is better to avoid, Divaskarma, Hadpaksha and Shraadh paksha for such auspicious activity.

What to avoid in Bhoomi Pooja?

• One must avoid performing this pooja on Saturdays, Sundays and Tuesdays. These days aren’t very auspicious for this pooja.
• It is better to avoid, Divaskarma, hadpaksha and shraadh paksha for such auspicious activity.
• Fourth, Ninth and Fourteenth teethis are not ideal for this pooja.
• Avoid beginning the construction work in case a female in the household is more than seven months pregnant.

How does Lunar Constellations impact Bhoomi Pooja?

• On the very first day of construction work, one must calculate the number of lunar constellation.
• If the number is between 1 to 7 or 19 to 28 than at that time the day for performing the pooja is inauspicious.
• However, if the resulting number is from 8 to 18 than that particular day is very auspicious.

How to perform Bhoomi Pooja?

Here’s how to do Bhoomi Pooja:

• The first step for performing the pooja is to clean the site. Also, one must clean the dirt and get rid of all trash holes from the area.
• Secondly, one must dig a hole in the northeast direction on the construction site.
• Thirdly, the worshipper should sit facing east at the time of After the puja, the lady of the house boils the milk and it is necessary that the milk should spill over this pooja.
• One should place the idols of Ganesha, Goddess Lakshmi and other deities that one worships on a clean platform.
• It is the Ganesh pooja that marks the beginning of any auspicious work in Hinduism. Then a havan takes place.
• Then one places the coconut used in the pooja covered with red cloth in the ground. Also, silver idols of Naag and Naagin are placed inside the ground.
• The other major rituals include Devi pooja, taking a Sankalpa, shatkarma, pran pratishtha and Manglik dravya sthapana.

What are the requirements for Bhoomi Pooja?

Here’s a list of articles required for Bhoomi Pooja –

Samagri/ Things required	Quantity
Kumkum (red sindoor)	100 grams
Turmeric powder	100 grams
Camphor /Karpuram	1 packet
Sandalwood powder	1 box
Incense (agarbatti) sticks	1 packet
Fruits	5 types 2 each
Beetle nuts	100 grams
Beetle leafs	30
Coconuts	5
Rice	4 lb
Flowers	3 bunches

Other requirements for this pooja are –

• 1 set of Navaratnas (9 types of gems), a packet of dry dates, 5 Lemon (green limes), a set of Pancha Lohas (5 metals), 2 packets of Nava Dhanyam (9 types of seeds).
• Moreover, one also needs coins- Quarters 40, a 1/2 meter long white cloth, a matcbox, lamp, cotton wicks, oil, 10 panchpatras, udharini.
• A plate, a kalash ( kalasam), 5 bricks, a bell, a bedsheet, 4 plastic plates, a gods picture and 5 foam cups etc.

What is the cost of performing Bhoomi Pooja?

• This pooja cost depends on various factors. Contact us for the pricing.
• To seek the blessings of vaastu devta one must perform this pooja under the guidance of an experienced priest.
• Moreover, forth performing this pooja well being for the family and safety is ensured.

What are the stages related to construction of home?

As per the ancient scriptures, home-related muhuratas are divided into the following stages –

• Bhoomi Pooja which is the offering of honour to the mother earth.
• Balidaana which is the offertory ritual in Hinduism.
• Hala Karshaana is next in line where the levelling os the site takes place.
• Then takes place the sowing of the seeds which is called Ankuraa- Roopana.
• Then it is time for Shilaanyaasa which is the laying of the foundation stone
• After this, the digging of a well or water source is done.
• Then fixation of door frames takes place.
• Last is the entry in the new house i.e. Griha Pravesh.

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Navratri Puja Dates: 29 Sep 2019 to 7 Oct 2019 (9 Days)

Navratri Puja is performed to worship the nine different forms of Goddess Durga for nine continuous days. This year in 2019, Navratri is beginning from Sunday, September 29 and ending on Monday, October 7. Navratri means 9 sacred days. A distinct avatar of Goddess Durga is worshipped on each of the nine days. Read how to do the Navratri Puja, Step by Step Procedure, Significance and Benefits.

Navratri Puja 2019 – Everything You Need To Know

Navratri Dates 2019	29 September 2019 – 7 October 2019
Type of Navratri	Sharadiya Navratri or Maha Navratri (Celebrated in Sep-Oct)
No. of Days Celebrated	9
Goddess Worshipped	Nine Forms of Goddess Durga
Important Day	Maha Navami (9th Day)
Pooja	Kanya Laangura Bhoj
Fasting Days (Vrat)	1st, 8th and 9th Day of Navratri
Related Festivals	Dussehra and Diwali
Celebration in India	Garba Dance in Gujarat & Mumbai

Who should perform Navratri Puja?

• People who want to get success in life with the blessings of Goddess Durga can perform this puja.
• If someone is facing any financial issues or any family problems, then performing this puja will help them to get rid of this issue. 
• This puja is also very beneficial for getting the peace of mind.

Why is Navratri celebrated?

Navratri or Durga Puja is celebrated as a symbol of victory of good over evil. As per legend, Goddess Durga defeated the demon king Mahishasura to save the world and restore Dharma. In South India, Navratri is celebrated to mark the victory of Lord Rama over the demon king Ravana. In North India, it is celebrated on the day of Dussehra, commonly known as Vijaya Dashami.

What are the benefits of doing Navratri Puja?

• Worshipping the Goddess during the auspicious time period can bring a lot of benefits. One can receive wealth, prosperity in business and success in life after doing the puja.
• One receives the divine blessings of Maa Durga after performing the Navratri puja.
• People can also get rid of the sins performed during the previous births or the present life after performing this pooja.
• Navratri pooja also helps to protect ourselves from bad spirits and to remove obstacles in life.
• This pooja fulfils the wishes and desires of devotees performing it and relieved them from any diseases.

When should I perform Navratri Puja?

The date and time for performing the Navratri Puja are based on the Hindu Calendar. The dates are determined on the basis of Tithi and Nakshatras. Navratri Puja begins on the sixth day of Devi Paksha which is the beginning of the autumn season. This puja falls in the lunar month of Ashwin.

According to Hindu tithis, Navratri begins with Pratipada and ends with Navami. It is considered as the longest Hindu festival which is celebrated for nine days. Devotees worship Goddess Siddhidatri on the ninth day of Navratri which is the last and the most important day of Navratri. People celebrate the tenth day of Navratri as Vijayadashami to mark the victory of Lord Rama over demon Ravana.

Which Goddesses are Worshipped during Navratri? (Navratri 9 Devi Names)

Navratri Day	Tithi	Goddess Worshipped	Poojas	Offerings	Colors of Navratri
29 September	Day 1 Pratipada	Shailaputri	Ghatsthapana, Chandra Darshan, Shailaputri Puja	Ghee	Orange
30 September	Day 2 Dwitiya	Brahmacharini	Brahmacharini Puja	Sugar	White
1 October	Day 3 Tritiya	Chandraghanta	Sindoor Tritiya, Chandraghanta Puja, Varad Vinayak Chauth	Ghee	Red
2 October	Day 4 Chaturthi	Kushmanda	Kushmanda Puja, Upang Lalita Vrat	Malupa	Royal Blue
3 October	Day 5 Panchami	Skandamata	Skandamata Puja	Bananas	Yellow
4 October	Day 6 Shashthi	Katyayini	Katyayini Puja	Honey	Green
5 October	Day 7 Saptami	Kaalratri	Kaalratri Puja, Saraswati Awahan	Jaggery	Grey
6 October	Day 8 Ashtami	Mahagauri	Mahagauri Puja, Saraswati Puja, Durga Ashtami, Sandhi Puja	Coconut	Purple
7 October	Day 9 Navami	Siddhidatri	Siddhidatri Puja, Maha Navami, Ayudha Puja, Navami Homa	Grains	Peacock Green
8 October	Day 10 Dashami	—	Navratri Parana, Durga Visarjan, Vijaya Dashami	—

What are the Navratri Colors?

On Navratri, there is a tradition to wear dresses that represent the colours of Navratri on each of the 9 days. There are 9 different Navratri colours in 2019. Use these colours given below as a guide and make this Navratri more colourful. Navratri Color Sequence for 2019 below:

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How to perform Navratri Puja in 2019?

Step by step guide and procedure to perform Navratri Pooja is:

What are the requirements for Navratri Puja?

The materials required for the Navratri pooja are: idol of goddess, deepak, agarbatti, kapoor, sari for offering to the goddess, pooja book containing all the aartis, Ganga water, flowers, sandalwood, kumkum, rice, banana, coconut, cloves, cardamom,supari, gulal, decorated kalash.

What is the cost of performing Navratri Puja?

The cost of the puja varies depending upon the samagri. The cost of this puja ranges from Rs. 2000 to Rs. 5000 depending upon the materials and consultation from the expert.

Garba Dance on Navratri

Garba dance is the most famous activity during Navratri and especially popular in Gujarat and Mumbai. Singing and dancing during Navratri is a part of festivity and fun and also a reason to dress up and catch up with your friends. It is also believed that singing and dancing in front of the Goddess is auspicious and brings good luck.

What are the other types of Navratri in a year?

Navratri Puja is also popularly known as ‘Durga Pooja.’ Very few people know that it is celebrated four times throughout the year. The name of four Navratri in a year are:

• Paush/Magh Navratri (Jan-Feb)
• Chaitra/Basanti Navratri (Mar-Apr)
• Ashadh Navratri (Jun-Jul)
• Shardiya Navratri (Sep-Oct) **Maha Navratri – Most Popular**

Only Shardiya Navratri and Chaitra Navratri are celebrated all over India. While the Paush and Ashad Navratri are not celebrated by common people.

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