Category: Traditions

Griha Pravesh Puja (North Indian Style)

Griha Pravesh Puja “Om Ganesaya Namah Avahayami” The first mantra chanted by the Pandit as the Griha Pravesh Puja commences as you embark on the divine experience of a Vedic Housewarming Ceremony. Griha Pravesh Puja is performed to purify the environment of the home and protect your abode from the evil eye. This Puja is

Griha Pravesh Puja (South Indian Style)

In Vaastu Shastra it’s believed that the home itself is a living being, which negative forces can inhabit and take shelter inside during vacancy – even if the home is brand new. Griha Pravesh Puja or Housewarming ceremony is about respectfully acknowledging these entities and purifying the space. It is about cleansing the home so

Maha Shivratri

Maha Shivaratri Festival

Maha Shivaratri means the Great Night of Shiva. It is an annual festival dedicated to the Lord. Unlike most Hindu festivals which are celebrated during the day, the Maha Shivaratri is celebrated at night. Also, unlike most Hindu festivals which include expression of cultural revelry, the Maha Shivaratri is a solemn event notable for its

Touching Feet – Prostration

We prostrate before our parents, elders, teachers and noble souls by touching their feet. The elder in turn bless us by placing their hand on or over our heads. Prostration is done when we meet elders and particularly on important occasions like the beginning of a new task, birthdays, festivals etc. In certain traditional circles,

Lakshmi Puja : Day 3 of Diwali

Asato ma sat gamaya | (असतो मा सद्गमय ।) Tamaso ma jyotir gamaya | (तमसो मा ज्योतिर्गमय ।) Mṛtyor ma amṛtam gamaya | (मृत्योर्मा अमृतं गमय ।) Om shanti shanti shantihi || (ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः ॥) Translation: From untruth lead us to Truth. From darkness lead us to Light. From death lead us to

Narak Chaturdasi – Day 2 of Diwali

Narak Chaturdasi is celebrated a day before the main Diwali and a day after the Dhanteras. It falls at the 14th day in the month of Ashwin (October or November). It is celebrated to eliminate the idleness and evil from our life. It is known by different names in different regions, namely – Kali Chaudas,

Dhanteras – Day 1 of Diwali

Dhanteras is the first day of celebration of the five-day long festival of Diwali. On Dhanteras, Lakshmi – the Goddess of wealth, is worshiped to provide prosperity and well being. It is also the day for celebrating wealth, as the word ‘Dhan’ literally means wealth and ‘Tera’ comes from the date 13th. The festival of

Diwali Lakshmi Puja

Diwali Lakshmi Puja  Celebrate this Diwali with Vedic Lakshmi Puja! Book a Pandit today with SmartPuja.com. ​ Diwali Festival Goddess Lakshmi came out of the milky ocean on the day of Dhantrayodashi and chose Lord Vishnu as her husband on the day of Diwali. Hence Diwali Amavasya is considered the most appropriate day to appease

Dhanteras Puja

Dhanteras Puja Dhanteras is the first day of celebration of the five-day long festival of Diwali. On Dhanteras, Lakshmi – the Goddess of wealth, is worshiped to provide prosperity and well being. It is also the day for celebrating wealth, as the word ‘Dhan’ literally means wealth and ‘Tera’ comes from the date 13th. The

Dussehra – Victory of Good over Evil

Dassehra Festival Vijaya Dashami or Dussehra is one of the most important & fascinating festivals of India, which is celebrated on the tenth day of the lunar month of Ashwin. The word Dussehra is derived from Sanskrit words “Dasha” & “hara” meaning removing the ten (10). In Sanskrit, ‘Vijaya’ means Victory and ‘Dashami’ means 10th day.