Amongst the various Poojas peformed in the Hindu tradition and culture, Laxmi Narayan Pooja or homa is one of the most common and major Poojas performed in Nepal, India among the Hindu people. It is primarily performed for prosperity, material abundance, good fortune, harmony and spiritual prosperity. Laxmi Narayan is a combined term used to denote goddess Laxmi, the goddess of wealth, and her deity husband lord Vishnu. Laxmi Narayan Pooja is performed to appease both the deities—Laxmi and Vishnu. Lord Vishnu is specially worshipped to remove our troubles that prevent us from starting a spiritual path and to guide us to the path of prosperity and happiness. Laxmi, as stated earlier, is the goddess of wealth and the consort of lord Vishnu.
Laxmi is the Hindu Goddess who governs all forms of wealth and material prosperity. Worshipping Laxmi will lead us to the path of success, wealth and prosperity. As the consort of Lord Vishnu, who is the god of preservation, goddess Laxmi is the goddess of wealth and beauty. She embodies sublime beauty, siddhi, peace, strength, balance, auspiciousness, opulence and also wisdom. Laxmi Narayan Pooja will be performed by a head priest who is experienced enough to preside the Pooja and the religious function. He will perform homa, utter religious incantations and worship and appease both goddess Laxmi and lord Vishnu and usher us to the path of wealth, well being and prosperity.
Goddess Lakshmi, the consort of Vishnu, is the most sought after goddess in the Hindu religious tradition. The Mangala Gauri Pooja is basically performed as per the Hindu Vedic tradition to appease Hindu goddess and deity Gauri. The Pooja is also known as Shravana Mangala Gauri Brata and is normally performed by the newly married women for the first five years of their married life. The fasting is done on every Tuesdays of the ‘Shravana Maasa ‘(4 Tuesdays) which usually falls in the month of July and August.
For the first year, the newly married women perform the Poojas in their maternal house as they would be staying there for ‘Ashada Maasa’ and then continue doing the same Pooja in their husband's house for the next five years. The ‘Brata’ is mentioned in the Hindu Holy scripture book called ‘Bhavishyoththara Purana’ and is followed in the southern states of India and also in many parts of Nepal. The fasting vidhan or rules may vary from region to region but the belief is the same. By the end of the Mangala Gauri Brata, the women need to gift their mother with a vessel of Pooja items and seek the blessings and good wishes. The reason why young women perform Mangala Gauri Pooja is to be ‘Sumanagali’ and ‘Soubhagyavati’ (meaning: remain safe from the curse of widowhood). The Pooja is also performed to get good children.
Items required for Manglaa Gauri Pooja:
1. 5 Silk blouse pieces (with borders)
2. Shiva Parvati vigrahas (idols) and Ganesha vigraha
3. 2 Pots for Kalash
4. Fruits for naivedhyam
5. Payasam for naivedhyam
6. Flowers, betel leaves and nuts
7. Kumkum, saffron, turmeric, akshata (rice mixed with these colors)
8. A Mandap
9. Shiva Parvati photo for background
10. Wheat flour
11. 4 Deepas (for aarti)
12. A spatula for Kitchen use
13. Camphor and incense sticks for Aarti
14. Bangles, Mangal sutra, mirror, Kajal (alankara items), coconut (thambula)
15. 16 Thambittu (A sweet made of wheat flour (dry fried), jaggery, grated coconut, cardamom and ghee) (note: Thambittu is made into deepas (diyas) and lit by then end of pooja)
16. Ghee
17. 2 Gejje Vastra (vastra for gowri and ganesh)
18. Panchamrit (ghee, milk, curd, honey, sugar) in separate bowls for abhishekam.
Arrangements to be done:
1. On the Mandap, arrange the Shiva Parvati photo in the background and place the Kalash (filled with turmeric water and two betel leaves) in the front.
2. Place the Shiva Parvati and Ganesha idols at front. (Shiva Parvati together) and Ganesha towards right.
3. Place the 5 blouse pieces at the sides of the Mandap. Arrange the Deepas on the left and right.
4. Place the other Kalash filled with wheat flour and dry nuts towards your left, with thambula and alankar items.
5. Arrange all the other items in separate plates.
Mangala Gauri Pooja Procedure:
1. Start with the Ganesha Pooja and then continue with the Kalasha Pooja.
2. Start with the Nirajanam (abhishekam with water) followed by Panchamruta Abhishekam and then offer the vastram.
3. Present god with the alankar items and thamboolam.
4. Light incense sticks and do naivedhyam.
5. Continue with Mangala Aarti and end the Pooja with the goddess Mangala Gauri story.
6. While reading the story, light the thambittu deepas and heat the ghee soaked spatula placing it on the 16 deepas. The kajal that forms on the spatula need to be applied to the eyes.
7. Seek the blessings of the goddess and offer thambulam to elder women.
Manglaa Gauri Pooja
Manglaa Gauri Pooja: Significance, Process, Samagri, and Mantras
Significance of Manglaa Gauri Pooja
Manglaa Gauri Pooja is a significant Hindu ritual dedicated to Goddess Parvati, also known as Gauri. This puja is especially performed by married women for the well-being, prosperity, and long life of their husbands, as well as for marital bliss and happiness. Observed primarily during the month of Shravan (July-August), particularly on Tuesdays, Manglaa Gauri Pooja is believed to bring blessings of good fortune, remove obstacles in married life, and ensure a harmonious and prosperous household.
Brief Introduction
Manglaa Gauri Pooja is an important ritual in Hindu culture, where devotees worship Goddess Gauri, the embodiment of marital bliss and prosperity. The puja is marked by offering prayers, performing rituals, and invoking the goddess’s blessings for a happy and prosperous married life. It is an opportunity for women to seek divine intervention for the longevity and success of their marriages.
Puja Process
The process of Manglaa Gauri Pooja involves several steps that are performed with devotion and adherence to tradition:
- Purification (Achamana and Sankalpa): The puja begins with self-purification and the purification of the surroundings. Devotees take a ceremonial sip of water (Achamana) and make a vow (Sankalpa) to perform the puja with pure intentions.
- Invocation (Avahana): Goddess Gauri is invoked into the idol or image through specific mantras, inviting her divine presence to the puja ceremony.
- Offering of Seats (Asana): A symbolic seat is offered to Goddess Gauri, inviting her to take her place in the worship area.
- Offering Water (Padyam, Arghyam, and Achamanam): Water is offered to wash the feet, hands, and face of the deity, signifying purification.
- Bathing the Deity (Abhishekam): The idol or image of Goddess Gauri is ceremonially bathed with substances like milk, curd, honey, ghee, and water, symbolizing sanctification.
- Dressing the Deity (Vastra and Alankara): The idol is adorned with new clothes and decorations, showing respect and devotion.
- Offering Fragrances and Flowers (Gandha and Pushpa): Fragrant items like sandalwood paste and flowers are offered to please the deity.
- Offering Food (Naivedya): Various food items, including sweets and fruits, are offered to Goddess Gauri. Special dishes like sweets made from jaggery and coconut are prepared.
- Specific Rituals: Women often light lamps and offer red flowers, which are considered auspicious for Goddess Gauri. They also tie sacred threads and offer betel leaves and nuts as part of the ritual.
- Aarti and Prayers: The puja concludes with the Aarti, a devotional song, and the distribution of Prasad (blessed food) among the devotees. This is followed by the chanting of Vedic hymns and mantras to invoke divine blessings.
Puja Samagri (Items Required for the Puja)
For a successful Manglaa Gauri Pooja, the following items are essential:
- Idol or image of Goddess Gauri
- Turmeric powder (Haldi)
- Vermilion (Kumkum)
- Sandalwood paste (Chandan)
- Incense sticks (Agarbatti)
- Camphor (Kapoor)
- Betel leaves and nuts
- Fresh flowers and garlands, especially red flowers
- Fruits and sweets
- Coconuts
- Rice grains
- Lamps (Diyas) and ghee
- Holy water (preferably from the Ganges)
- New clothes and ornaments for the deity
- Red thread (Moli) for tying around the wrists
Mantras for Manglaa Gauri Pooja
Reciting mantras is a vital part of Manglaa Gauri Pooja, invoking the divine blessings of Goddess Gauri. Key mantras include:
Gauri Invocation Mantra
Om Sarvamangala Mangalye
Shive Sarvartha Sadhike
Sharanye Tryambake Gauri
Narayani Namostute
Translation: Salutations to the great Goddess Gauri, who brings auspiciousness and fulfills all desires. We seek refuge in the three-eyed goddess, who grants boons and protects us.
Gauri Mantra
Om Gauri Maheshwariya Namah
Translation: Salutations to Goddess Gauri, the consort of Mahesh (Shiva).
Manglaa Gauri Gayatri Mantra
Om Girijaye Vidmahe
Shivapriyayai Dhimahi
Tanno Gauri Prachodayat
Translation: We meditate on Goddess Parvati, who is beloved of Lord Shiva. May that Gauri guide us on the right path.
By following these steps, utilizing the specified materials, and chanting the mantras with devotion, devotees can perform Manglaa Gauri Pooja with reverence, seeking the blessings of Goddess Gauri for marital bliss, prosperity, and the well-being of their families.
