Guide to Pujas, Festivals and Homas

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Ashtadala Pada Padmaradhana Seva Tirumala

June 28, 2022, Sasidhar Darla 7 Comments Filed Under: Pujas, Tirumala

Here is everything you want to know about Ashtadala Pada Padmaradhana Seva of Lord Venkateswara in Tirumala Tirupati.

What is Ashtadala Pada Padmaradhana Seva?

Ashtadala Pada Padmaradhana Seva is conducted after the second bell in Tirumala Temple. This ritual was initially introduced in Srivari Temple in 1984 when a Muslim devotee presented Lord Srinivasa with 108 gold lotuses. The Archana begins by offering dhupa to the key deity followed by reciting Devadasa (108) names of the Lord.

Each chant is followed by one golden lotus offered at the holy feet of the lord Srinivasa.

Ashtadala Seva — Ashtadala Pada Padmaradhana

Who should perform Ashtadala Pada Padmaradhana Seva?

Here’s who should do the Seva:

A single person or a couple can perform this pooja for their successful life.

What are the benefits of performing Ashtadala Pada Padmaradhana Seva?

Here are the benefits of the Seva:

The Devotee can financial stability and get the divine blessings of the Lord.
People also believe that by doing this pooja they can get good health, harmony success, and fulfillment of desires.

What are the best days to do Ashtadala Pada Padmaradhana Seva?

The best days to perform the seva are:

This pooja is performed on every Tuesday in the Tirumala temple.
One should make prior bookings to get the dates to perform this pooja.
It should be performed early in the morning, the best time to do this pooja is 5.30 a.m.

What is the procedure for performing Ashtadala Pada Padmaradhana Seva?

Here’s how to do the Seva:

The Archana begins with the puja by offering dhupa and diva to the key deity.
Then the pujaris enumerate the Devadasa names of the Lord.
While reciting each name of the Lord, one golden lotus is offered at the feet of Lord Srinivasa.
On completion of the Archana for the main deity Archana is then offered for Goddess Lakshmi and Goddess Padmavati.
After that Ratha aarti is offered first, followed by usual aarti.
During this special puja, the arjitha ticket holders are seated in the Antalya corridor that is located between the Kulasekhara padi and Bangaru Vakili.

What are the materials required for Ashtadala Pada Padmaradhana Seva?

The basic materials required for Ashtadala Seva are turmeric powder, sandalwood powder, Kumkum, betel leaves, supari, rice, camphor, mango leaves, and the most important golden lotus. Apart from these if any other materials are required, they are provided after booking the ticket for this pooja.

Where to perform Ashtadala Pada Padmaradhana Seva?

A devotee can perform this pooja in the Tirumala temple premises. It is performed only on Tuesday. Devotees can take a seat inside Garbha Griha, once they are seated in the garbha griha the curtains will be closed at the Jaya Vijaya statues which is the last door.

What is the cost of Ashtadala Seva?

The cost of performing this pooja is Rs.1,250 per person. They can get the tickets from the Tirumala temple website.

Laxmi Puja 2019 – Procedure, Cost and Benefits

September 25, 2019, Sasidhar Darla Leave a Comment Filed Under: Pujas

Laxmi Puja Date for 2019 in India – Sunday, November 27, 2019

Laxmi Puja is totally dedicated to Diwali on which, Goddess Laxmi visits one’s home. There is a total of 16 rituals for the proper completion of this pooja. This pooja falls on the day of Amavasya which is generally inauspicious, but for this day it is very auspicious. People light lamps in the evening to welcome the Goddess Laxmi.

Laxmi Puja Muhurat 2019

Muhurat	Day Parts	Timings
Dur Muhurat	Evening	04:18 PM to 05:03 PM Duration – 45 minutes
Amrit Kaal Muhurat	Night	09:33 PM to 10:59 PM Duration – 1 Hour 26 Mins
Varjyam Kaal Muhurat	Midnight	12:58 PM to 02:24 PM Duration – 1 Hour 26 Mins
Abhijit Muhurat	Noon	11:48 AM – 12:33 PM Duration – 45 minutes

Laxmi Puja Facts-

Dates	November 27, 2019
Deity	Goddess Laxmi
Related Festival	Diwali and Dhanteras
Number of Rituals Performed	Sixteen (16)
Day	Amavasya
Significance	Wealth and Prosperity

What is the significance of Laxmi Puja?

Many of you must have seen and observed Laxmi Puja during Diwali but very few might be aware of the significance of worshipping Goddess Laxmi on Diwali.

The festival of Diwali starts from Dhanteras and the main festival of lights, Diwali falls on the third day.
Laxmi Puja has great religious or mythological significance behind them. It is the festival of worshipping the goddess of wealth.
According to Hindu mythology, Goddess Laxmi likes cleanliness, and she visits the cleanest house first.
This is also the reason why the broom is worshipped on this day with offerings of Haldi and Kumkum.

Laxmi Puja Significance — Goddess Laxmi with Lord Ganesh and Goddess Saraswati holds significant importance among Hindu devotees specially during the festival of Diwali.

What is the importance of Laxmi Puja?

Laxmi is the Goddess of wealth and prosperity and she is worshipped for promotion, success and personal virtues.
People worship her for spiritual prosperity and material abundance.
It is believed that she helps remove the troubles that prevent people from moving on a spiritual path or carry on their businesses.

What Goddess Laxmi Symbolizes?

As per Hindu Puranas and Rituals, Goddess symbolizes much more than wealth. According to it-

Goddess Laxmi emerged from the water along with the nectar during the churning of the ocean done by the Gods and Demons.
Water is a symbol of love and Laxmi is depicted as sitting on a lotus which is floating in the water.
Lotus is the symbol of dispassion.
A droplet of water moves freely on the lotus petals, which indicates that when we are not attached to wealth, life is light like a flower.
Also, it is believed that this type of wealth is life-supporting and brings prosperity and abundance.
The usefulness and value of wealth are highest when it is shared and is moving.
Diwali is the festival of lights and it is essential you honor all aspects of wealth in life that day.

What happens in Laxmi Puja?

Lamps are lit in the evening to welcome the goddess. They are believed to light up her path. Laxmi Puja consists of a combined puja of five deities:

Ganesha is worshipped at the beginning of every auspicious act as Vighnaharta.
Goddess Laxmi is worshipped in her three forms – Mahalaxmi (the goddess of wealth and money), Mahasaraswati (the goddess of books and learning), and Mahakali
Kuber (the treasurer of the gods) is also worshiped.

The activities of devotees during Laxmi Puja is-

Purvang Karma – Ganesh Pujan, MatraPujan, Abhyudaya, Punyawachan, KalashSthapana, Rakshavidhan, Navgrah Puja.
Puja of Mata Lakshmi – as per auspicious Muhurta.
Ashtottara Namavali Path, Lakshmi stotra path.
Homa or Havan.
Goddess Laxmi Prayer.

Who should perform Laxmi Puja?

This pooja should be done by the head of the family alongside his wife.
Devotees who want to seek the blessings with the grace of Goddess Lakshmi should perform this puja.
People also perform this puja for the success of their new-age businesses and startups.
Different people from different regions perform Laxmi Puja around different times in the year.

What are the benefits of doing Laxmi Puja?

Laxmi Puja removes all the problems or issues from a professional and personal life. It makes one financially stable and wealthy.
The individual will never face any financial problems in his life. This puja will also remove the ill effects of the Grah Dosh.
One will surely get a huge benefit if the individual has invested somewhere.
The devotee will also lead a smooth and harmonious family life without facing any issues.
It will also improve the communication skill of the individual and gives a good outcome for the business.

Why should I perform Laxmi Puja?

Since wealth is the most important component for maintenance and progress in our lives, people do Laxmi Pujan to please Goddess Laxmi who is considered as the Goddess of wealth and prosperity.

But here, wealth does not only signify more money. It means seeking abundance in

Knowledge
Skills
Talents

When should I perform Laxmi Puja?

Laxmi Puja should take place during Pradosh Kaal. This period starts after sunset and lasts for approximately 2 hours and 24 minutes.
Many people also believe that Laxmi Puja should take place during Mahanishita Kaal.
The Muhurat that is not advisable for the Laxmi Puja is the Choghadiya Muhurat.
One should perform the Laxmi Puja when Sthir Lagna prevails during the Pradosh Kaal.

Laxmi Puja is observed during the 5 days festivities of Diwali. The Goddess Laxmi is worshipped during Dhanteras and the night of Badi Diwali which falls on the night of Amavasya.

How to perform Laxmi Puja?

Here’s how to perform Laxmi Puja:

Place a red cloth without any black mark on the floor.
Prepare a bed of rice and place the Kalash in it. Fill 75% of the pot with water from the Ganges. Place some grains, flower, a betel nut, harvested rice and a clean coil inside the Kalash. Arrange the bunch of mango leaves on the top of the Kalash.
Then, place a small plate or a thali on the top of the Kalash. Draw the design of lotus with turmeric powder. Place a picture or an idol of Goddess Laxmi on it along with some coins.
Also, place the idol of the Ganesha towards the right side of the Kalash and sprinkle the holy water on the puja items in order to purify them.
The rituals take place with the help of Kumkum, Haldi (turmeric powder) and flowers. There are many lamps and incense sticks and one chant the mantras to seek the blessings of the God and Goddess.
Recite the mantras by holding some flowers and rice on the palms and sprinkle them on the idol of the Goddess. The cleaning ritual is taking place by placing the idol of Laxmi on a thali pouring water, milk, ghee, curd, and honey.
After this wipe the idol with a clean cloth and placed back on the Kalash. The offerings to the deity include coconut, fruits, betel leaves, betel nuts, and sweets. Then, perform a silent aarti in the end.

What are the materials required for Laxmi Puja?

Materials required for Laxmi Puja on Diwali are:

Samagri/ Things required	Quantity
Icons of Lord Ganesha, Goddess Saraswati, Lakshmi and Narayan	1 each
Silver and Gold coins	as per your requirement and facility.
Paan or Mango leaves	5
Uncooked Rice	100 grams
A coconut	1
Supari’s	10
Kumkum for applying tilak	100 grams
Mithai (Indian sweets)	as per your requirement
Dry fruits (almonds, cashews)	100 grams each
Gulaal (Holi color)	100 grams of each color
Diyas	5 minimum
Agarbattis (incense sticks)	2 Packets
Camphor	1 Packet
Red string	1 Roll

Materials for Laxmi Puja — Different Puja Materials that are required for the auspicious Puja of Goddess Laxmi during Diwali.

Other requirements are:

Rose or other flower petals.
Panchamrita.
New note-book.
A piece of red cloth for putting the pooja items
Thaali for Puja
Rosewater for Puja
A packet of Cottonseeds
Lotus Flower Seeds
Dry whole Turmeric
Coriander seeds
A Chawki for the deities.
Some currency notes
Ghee for the Diyas
Water, etc.

What is the cost of performing Laxmi Puja?

The cost of Laxmi Puja ranges from Rs. 3500 to Rs. 6000 that includes all the materials for the puja.

If you have any questions related to Laxmi Puja, please leave a comment below and we will reply within an hour.

Sudarshana Homam – Cost, Benefits, and Procedure

July 9, 2022, Sasidhar Darla 171 Comments Filed Under: Homa

Sudarshana Homam is a Hindu ritual involving fire. Participating in Sudarshana Homam helps a person destroy negativity, gives him victory over the enemies, and protects against the evil eye.

The homam grants purification and helps in restoring energies and health. It also promotes success and provides deep levels of purification.

Sudarshana Homam owes it’s origin to the Sudharshana Chakra which is among the major psychic weapons of Lord Vishnu who is the preserver as well as the sustainer of the Universe. Lord Vishnu has always been portrayed as holding the mighty Sudharshana Chakra which is a kind of a wheel, in one of his hands. This is his weapon and he always triumphantly flings it at the negative forces to forcefully slice them with a spinning motion.

Lord Vishnu Sudarshana Chakra — Lord Vishnu holding Sudarshana Chakra

According to Hindu scriptures, the Sudharshana Chakra originated from the extra shavings from the Sun God, Surya. Saint Vishwakarma created a few powerful golden objects from the Surya Deva including the Sudharshana Chakra. Devotees also believe that the weapon had 108 serrated edges. The Sudharshana Chakra is a mighty weapon that had the power of a million suns.

Who should perform Sudarshana Homam?

A person should perform Sudarshana Homam if he/she:

needs relief from the evil eye
needs relief from the intense problems due to powerful enemies
requires protection from any strong and negative interference which could be in the waking state, sleep state or dream state
wants a lot of wealth
wants a strong victory or highly successful results
wishes to get rid of health issues
wants to pursue deeper experiences of purification
wants to work for the people and community

Sudarshana Homam Benefits

Here’re the benefits of participating in Sudarshana Homam:

Sudarshana Homam helps gain prosperity
It helps in healing the body and provides rejuvenation of health
Moreover, it helps in the purification from the harmful and toxic energies
Sudarshana Homam helps to achieve sincere desires
It provides also huge victory and immense success with manifestations
Further, it provides immediate relief from the unexplained sufferings or worries
The Homam also helps in providing protection from the powerful enemies and evil eye

When should I perform Sudarshana Homam?

One can also perform the homam on Ekadashi, Dwadashi, and Poornima. Also on the dates that fall on a Wednesday and Saturday or during Buddha Horas are also favorable for performing the Sudarshana Homa.

What is the procedure for performing Sudarshana Homam?

The Sudarshana Homam is the best protection from all the evils, dosha nivaran and to get relief from the troubles from enemies, evil eye, black magic, and fear. It also helps in persecution by evil spirits and health problems.

Here’s how to perform Sudarshana Homam:

The Homam starts with the recitation of the Sudarsana Manthra Japam.
Recitation of the Sudarshana Ashtottharam which starts with the Sudarsanaya Nama and concludes with the Naarayaanakrupavyuha Tejaschakraya Nama, takes place.
After that, the priest makes you take the Sri Sudarsana Homa Maha Sankalpa where you invoke the deities to bless you.
After that the priest invokes all the deities including Lord Kumbam, Lord Varuna, Goddess Lakshmi, Lord Narayana and Lord Sudarsana and performs the Shodasopachara Aaradhanam.
Agni Prathishtai follows this.
Then the homam starts with the Sri Sudarsana Shadakshari performed 108 times with aahuthi
After all the Aahutis, the Poornahuthi takes place which is the conclusion of the Homam
After the Poornahuthi, all the spectators go around the Agni Kuntam and recite Sri Sudarsan Ashtakam.
The Bhasmam from the homam is then worn on the forehead protection this the homam concludes here.

What are the materials required for Sudarshana Homam?

The major requirements for the Homam are the Sudarshana Yantra, which is worshiped with Sudarshana Mantra Japa. The Homam requires the Homa samagri including molten butter, herbs, and sticks of certain trees that one needs to offer into the sacrificial fire along with the powerful chanting of mantras.

Apart from this the offerings to Lord Sudarshan also include fruits, flowers, incense sticks, and the Naivedhyam Prasad. Pooja of the owner of Sudarshan, Lord Vishnu has to be performed with Tulsi leaves.

Where to Perform Sudarshana Homam?

This Homam should take place at a Mahavishnu temple by a professional priest. If you want it to take place at your home, then you need to consult a learned Brahman.

Can I perform Sudarshana Homam at home?

Yes, you certainly can perform the Homam at home. However, please take the help of a learned pandit and perform at home.

What is the cost of Sudarshana Homam?

Major costs of the Homam are that of the ingredients and dakshina for priests. The ingredients cost somewhere between Rs. 2000/- to Rs. 3500/-. Thus the total cost of the Homam is less than Rs. 10,000/-. If the homam takes place at the temple, then there could be additional fees.

What is Sudarshana Homam Mantra?

To get blessings of Lord Sudarshana, it is advised to chant this mantra daily. Here are the Sudarshana Homam Mantra Lyrics.

Om Namo Bhagavathe Mahasudarshanaya Deepthre,

Jwalapareethaya Sarvadigshobhanakaraya Brahmane Para Jyothishe,

Hum Paht Swaha

Sudarshana Homam in Tamil

This Homam takes place in all major Indian languages and Tamil is one of them. Please consult a Tamil Pandit.

Kali Puja 2019 – Bengal Dates, Benefits and Procedure

October 1, 2019, Sasidhar Darla 10 Comments Filed Under: Pujas

Kali puja is celebrated on October 27, 2019. It is dedicated to Goddess Kali. Moreover, the pooja removes the negative influence of the Saturn planet and negative energies like ego, anger and jealousy. This is also known as Shyama Puja and is popular in West Bengal, Odisha, Assam and Eastern India.

Kali Puja Kolkata Video

Kali Puja
Start Date	27 October 2019
Location	Kolkata, West Bengal

Goddess Kali is believed to be the first incarnation of Goddess Durga. Along with Goddess Kali people also worship Goddess Laxmi on this day. Moreover, takes place in the Bengali month of Kartik on the new moon day.

Obviously, the deity’s name comes from the Sanskrit name ‘Kala’ which means black or lord of death. oddess Kali is the destroyer of evils.

When is Kali Puja 2019?

This year in 2019, Kali Puja will be celebrated on the 27th of October.
On this year, Diwali is also on the 27th of October and will be celebrated together with Kali Puja.
Furthermore, the Amavasya Tithi for the Puja begins at 12:23 pm on 27th October and ends at 9:08 am on 28th October.

See Panchang, Muhurat and Moonrise timings of Sharad Purnima 2019 here

Kali Puja Dates

Year	Date	Day
2019	27 October	Sunday
2020	14 November	Saturday
2021	04 November	Thursday
2022	24 October	Monday
2023	12 November	Sunday
2024	31 October	Thursday
2025	20 October	Monday

Who should perform Kali Puja?

Here is who should perform Kali Puja:

The person who is suffering from any family problems or financial issues should perform this puja.
It also boosts the confidence of the devotee and provides positivity and stamina to him/her.
If a person is suffering from any disease or illness then he/she should perform this puja.
Devotees also perform this puja to get rid of all the negative people from life.
Furthermore, Goddess Kali also protects the devotees from mental and physical issues.
People suffering from any type of negativities or painful events in life.
However, any obstacles in married life can be removed by performing Kali puja which helps in building a happy married life.
Performing this puja also protects the devotee from all the forms of black magic.

What are the benefits of performing this Pooja?

The benefits of performing Kali puja are:

This puja removes all types of negative energies from the home and workplace.
Along with that it also protects the devotees and lifts up their stamina.
Moreover, Goddess Kali is the most powerful and strongest form of Goddess Durga. She also fills happiness in the house of devotees.
The puja removes all kind of impurities. Also, it removes darkness from the life of devotees.
Further, it helps to recover from prolonged illness and also from many incurable illnesses.
The puja also safeguards a person from the evil spirit and black magic.
Further, removing all the obstacles while running a business and bring success in education and career.
Moreover, it protects the person from the bad influence of planet Saturn.

Benefits of Kali Puja — Kali Puja is very beneficial when done with pure intentions and devotion.

In what circumstances should one perform Kali Pooja?

One should perform Kali Puja on Kartik Amavasya in the month of October or November.
Most of the time, Kali Puja and Diwali Puja fall on the same day. But sometimes, it may fall one day before the Diwali Puja.
Nevertheless, many devotees worship Goddess Lakshmi on Amavasya during Diwali.
Many devotees also perform the Kali puja during Navratri that precedes Diwali.
People suffering from ill effects of Shani should offer prayers to Goddess Kali on Kali Chaudas which is Dhantrayodashi.
Nevertheless, one must perform Dus Maha Vidya Mahakali Puja to get rid of negativity.

How to do Kali Puja at home?

Time needed: 1 hour and 30 minutes

Kali Puja Procedure:

Place idol in a sacred place
The Kali Puja starts with placing the image or idol of Goddess in a sacred place. Moreover, devotees believe that the image or idol of goddess contains excellent energy.
Offer gifts and write prayers
Place small bowls of uncooked rice, salt, rice, spring water and flowers on a platter. Worshippers offer gifts and also write prayers to the goddess on coloured paper.
Do meditation and chanting
One should begin with a meditation to seek the blessings of the goddess. Worshipers also chant ‘Om Maa‘. Hereafter, one uses saltwater to purify the sacred space. Also, uncooked rice is used to draw a triangle with a point facing Kali’s image.
Name manifestations of Kali
Subsequently, the devotees get red flower after naming manifestations of Kali, going in a clockwise direction.
Perform breathing exercises
Devotees also perform breathing exercises and chant the mantras to seek the blessings of Kali. Moreover, all the devotees who attend the puja receive a piece of paper and a pen or pencil and a flower.

How to celebrate Kali Puja — Kali Puja is a big celebration which calls a huge crowd to the state of Bengal. Here’s how it’s done.

What is the Mantra for this Puja?

The Mantra for Kali Puja is:

Dhyan: During this, the Devotees sit in front of the deity and meditate. Also some mantras are chant during this time.

Sadyashchhinna-Shirah Kripanamabhayam Hastairvaram Bibhratim।
Ghorasyam Shirasam Srajam Suruchiramunmukta-Keshavalim॥
Srikkasrik-Pravaham Shmashan-Nilayam Shrutyoh Shavalankritim।
Shyamangi Krita-Mekhalam Shava-Karairdevim Bhaje Kalikam॥

Avahan: The Avahan Mantra is also chanted during the Puja. Here, it is :

Om Deveshi! Bhakti-Sulabhe! Parivar-Samanvite!
Yavat Tvam Pujayishyami. Tavat Tvam Susthira Bhava॥

Dushpare Ghora Sansara Sagare Patitam Sada।
Trayasva Varade, Devi! Namaste Chit-Paratmike॥

Ye Deva. Yashcha Devyashcha. Chalitayam Chalanti Hi।

Avahayami Tan Sarvan Kalike. Parameshwari॥
Pranan Raksha. Yasho Raksha. Raksha Daran. Sutan, Dhanam।

Sarva Raksha Kari Yasmat Tvam Hi Devi. Jaganmaye॥
Pravishya Tishtha Yagyesmin. Yavat Pujam Karomyaham।

Sarvananda Kare Devi! Sarva Siddhim Prayachchha Me॥
Tishthatra Kalike Matah! Sarva-Kalyana-Hetave।
Pujam Grihana Sumukhi! Namaste Shankara-Priye॥

Pushpanjali: The Pushpanjali Mantra also makes part of the mantras chanted during the puja. Here it is :

(I)

Nana Ratna Samayuktam. Karta Swar Vibhushitam।
Asanam Deva-Deveshi! Prityartham Prati Grihyatam॥

(II)

Om Shrikali Devyai Namah. Padayoh Padyam Samarpayami।
Om Shrikali Devyai Namah. Shirasi Arghyam Samarpayami।

Omm Shri Kali Devyaee Namah. Gandhakshatam Samarpayami।
Omm Shri Kali Devyaee Namah. Pushpam Samarpayami।

Om Shri Kaali Devyai Namah. Dhupam Ghrapayami।
Om Shri Kaali Devyai Namah. Dipam Darshayami।

Omm Shrikali Devyaee Namah. Naivedyam Samarpayami।
Omm Shrikali Devyaee Namah. Achamaniyam Samarpayami।

Om Shri Kaali Devyai Namah. Tambulam Samarpayami।

(III)

Om Maha-Kalyai Namah। Anena Pujanena Shrikali Devi Priyatam; Namo Namah।

What are the materials required for this Puja?

The materials for the puja are:

Kumkum	Burning Lighter Fluid
Coconut	Urad Dal
Ashtagandha	Kali Bahuli
Supari	Betel Leaves with stem
Panch Dhatu	Colors
Sandalwood	Purnapatre
Kapus ( Cotton Balls)	Akshata

Furthermore, you need seven types of grains like White Beans, Red Kidney Beans, Green Peas, Chickpeas, Brown Lentil, Gram etc.
One will also require Hawan Samagri, Shankha, Haldi, Rice Grains, Kalash, Ganga Jal.
Nevertheless, Niranjan, Kapur, Pure Ghee, Gud, Dhoop are also important.

What is the cost of performing Kali Puja?

The price to perform this puja ranges from Rs. 3500 to Rs. 6500. However, this includes the cost of the materials required to perform the puja.
Moreover, one can also consult an expert regarding the technique and procedure to perform the puja.

Hope this information is useful for you. For any questions regarding Kali Puja, comment below and we will get back to you asap.