Caption: The Cover Photo.
Hi all,
This is another Photo-Walk Collection.
This post is presented in 2 parts; hope this post will help in understanding intercultural/heritage aspects more clearly - these traditions/styles of pooja are different even in North India, I believe.
As many of you are aware, more than a religion, Hinduism is a way of life. But, as in many other religions, Hindus too have daily prayers and rituals - these may be very simple daily rites at home to elaborate annual rituals in temples.
However, special Poojas[1] and Homas[2] are conducted, on certain occasions.
The pooja explained in this post was conducted on 14th February 2014.
There are majorly two types of pujas: One involving the âFireâ (Homam) & the other without fire (Pooja). We had both the rituals, Homa in the early morning and the Pooja in the evening.
[1] Homam (Homa; Sanskrit: चŕĽŕ¤Ž): The Vedic ritual is to invocate Lord Fire directly or invocate any other God/s through Haven. We were blessed to have Ganapati Homam (to invoke Lord Ganesha - one who removes the obstacles).
[2] Pooja (worship): There are many types of poojas - usually the Pooja is done to one or more deities, after decorating/arranging the âDiasâ (altar) with Oil Lamp/s, a âSquare with coloured rice powderâ (Padmam, on which the Pooja deity will be seated) & arranging pooja accessories. Poojas use offerings such as flowers, sandal paste, incense sticks, camphor, water, fruits, nuts, cooked food, etc. to the God & Goddesses while chanting Mantras.
Though poojas are done by anyone, the Homas are usually conducted by Archak/Poojari/Priest; however, the Grihastha (the house owner) & family members can/may join the Priest during the Homas & Poojas.
One of the important combinations of the poojas is having âGanapati Homamâ in the morning & âBhagavat Sevaâ in the evening - we too followed this tradition.
Photo - 1. Caption: The main assistant giving the final touches to the âPadmamâ.
The Pooja mentioned here is the evening âBhagavat Sevaâ (prayer to Goddess Durga) with elaborate preparations. The chief priest was accompanied by 2 assistants. The main assistant prepared the dais/altar (designing & creating the âPadmamâ) while the second assistant arranged other items, including the cooked Prasadams (food). These preparations took more than 2 hours; our family members also joined in preparing the flowers, etc. for the pooja.
There are different types of âPadmamsâ (the multi-coloured square) for a variety of Poojas. The shape, colour, size etc. have their own importance and are prepared as per âShastraâ (the Vedic Texts).
Photo - 2. Caption: The âPadmam,â ready for the Devi Pooja.
Photo - 3. Caption: 3 traditional Pooja Lamps - The middle lamp on the Padmam is dedicated to the Major Deity.
Photo - 4. Caption: The lamps on both sides were lit but the middle lamp is kept ready to light because this lamp will light only after some manthra chanting.
Photo - 5. Caption: The major deityâs lamp which lit in between the pooja.
Photo - 6. Caption: Preparing the flowers for the Pooja.
The next part will explain the pooja ritual in more detail.
Hope you all will like it.
@Gurukrishnapriya @Tejal @Shrut19 @Anil6969 @AjitThite @jagatji @helga19 @davidhyno * @NareshDarji *
Could you kindly give your feedback, friend @BorrisS , please
PS:
The thick sacred Janeu thread worn by the priest indicates that he is the chief priest of a Pooja; this Jaeu is very useful when there are many priests participating in one ritual.
Anything that has Anil typing such a long comment has touched him!
because I know how sacred, religion is, to many people