🕉️ Tithi Pooja

(Worship on Specific Auspicious Dates)

🌟 Introduction:

In the Hindu lunar calendar, a Tithi refers to a specific phase of the Moon, each day of which holds unique spiritual energies. Performing Tithi Pooja means aligning our prayers and rituals with the cosmic vibrations of that day to receive maximum spiritual benefit, inner harmony, and divine grace.

Each Tithi is associated with a particular deity, energy, and purpose, making it an ideal day to perform corresponding vratas (vows), poojas, japas, or charitable acts.

🪔 Purpose of Tithi Pooja:

  • To align oneself with the natural rhythms of the Moon and the cosmos
  • To invoke the deity ruling the Tithi for blessings, protection, or spiritual upliftment
  • To remove doshas (flaws), purify karma, and receive divine merit (punya)
  • To mark special events like birthdays, anniversaries, or death rituals (shraddha) on their exact lunar date

📅 Significance of Major Tithis:

Tithi Name

Spiritual Focus

Presiding Deity

Pratipada

Beginnings, initiations

Lord Ganesha

Dwitiya

Harmony, sibling bonding (e.g., Bhai Dooj)

Yama and Yamuna

Tritiya

Prosperity (e.g., Akshaya Tritiya)

Parvati, Kubera

Chaturthi

Obstacle removal (esp. Sankashti Chaturthi)

Lord Ganesha

Panchami

Knowledge (e.g., Naga Panchami, Basant Panchami)

Goddess Saraswati, Snake Gods

Shashti

Health, children’s well-being

Lord Subrahmanya

Saptami

Energy, vitality (e.g., Ratha Saptami)

Surya (Sun God)

Ashtami

Destruction of negativity (e.g., Durga Ashtami)

Goddess Durga/Kali

Navami

Strength, protection

Lord Rama, Durga

Dashami

Victory over evil (e.g., Vijayadashami)

Lord Vishnu/Durga

Ekadashi

Fasting and spiritual purification

Lord Vishnu

Dwadashi

Breaking fast, receiving grace

Lord Vishnu

Trayodashi

Wealth, protection (e.g., Dhan Trayodashi)

Lord Dhanvantari/Shiva

Chaturdashi

Inner transformation (e.g., Maha Shivaratri)

Lord Shiva

Purnima (Full Moon)

Completion, divine light (e.g., Guru Purnima)

Satya Narayana, Shiva, Vishnu

Amavasya (New Moon)

Ancestor worship, introspection

Pitru Devatas, Lord Shiva

🛕 General Tithi Pooja Procedure:

🌼 1. Sankalp (Intention Setting):

  • Begin by bathing and wearing clean clothes.
  • Light a diya and take water in your right palm.
  • Chant your intention, e.g.:

“Today, on this sacred [Tithi Name], I perform this pooja with devotion to please and receive blessings from [Deity’s Name]. May this worship purify my body, mind, and soul.”

🕯️ 2. Deity Invocation and Altar Setup:

  • Set up an altar with the picture or idol of the ruling deity of the Tithi.
  • Offer:
    • Fresh flowers
    • Chandan (sandalwood paste)
    • Incense and lamp
    • Naivedyam (fruits, sweets, or milk)

📿 3. Mantra Chanting:

Chant the corresponding mantra for the deity. For example:

  • Lord Ganesha (Chaturthi):
    “Om Gam Ganapataye Namah”
  • Lord Vishnu (Ekadashi):
    “Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya”
  • Goddess Durga (Ashtami):
    “Om Dum Durgaye Namah”
  • Lord Shiva (Chaturdashi):
    “Om Namah Shivaya”

Chant 108 times, or as per your devotion and time.

🍚 4. Offering Naivedyam and Aarti:

  • Offer the food items to the deity with love.
  • Perform aarti using a ghee or camphor lamp while singing or reciting the aarti stotra.

🙏 5. Charity and Reflection:

  • End your pooja by donating food, clothing, or lighting a lamp in a temple or riverbank.
  • Reflect silently or meditate, absorbing the spiritual essence of the Tithi.

✨ Benefits of Tithi Pooja:

  • Enhances alignment with cosmic and lunar cycles
  • Attracts specific spiritual blessings unique to the Tithi
  • Cleanses karmic patterns and improves destiny
  • Aids in success, health, relationships, or spiritual growth, depending on the Tithi observed

🪔 Example: Tithi Pooja on Ekadashi

  • Fast from sunrise to next day sunrise
  • Worship Lord Vishnu with Tulsi and chant Vishnu Sahasranama
  • Read or listen to the Ekadashi Mahatmya
  • Donate food to the needy

🌙 Conclusion:

Tithi Pooja is a sacred bridge between the celestial rhythms and our daily life. By observing the spiritual essence of each Tithi, we not only receive divine blessings but also cultivate discipline, devotion, and harmony with the universe.

Whether you’re honoring a full moon, fasting on Ekadashi, or offering lamps on Trayodashi—each Tithi becomes a sacred doorway into deeper spiritual awareness.