🕉️ Who is Goddess Gayatri?
Goddess Gayatri is the personified form of the Gayatri Mantra, revered as Vedamata—the Mother of the Vedas. She is considered an incarnation of Goddess Saraswati (Goddess of knowledge) or Mahadevi (Supreme feminine power). She is often depicted with five heads and ten hands, representing the five elements and five pranas (life forces).
🗓️ When is Gayatri Puja Observed?
- Daily by Brahmins and spiritual seekers, especially during Sandhyavandana (sunrise, noon, and sunset)
- Gayatri Jayanti, the birth anniversary of the goddess (on Ekadashi of Jyeshtha Shukla Paksha, May/June)
- Also during Upanayanam (thread ceremony)
🌼 Purpose and Significance
- To invoke the divine light of knowledge and wisdom
- For mental clarity, spiritual awakening, and removal of ignorance
- Bestows intelligence, inner strength, and peace
- Enhances concentration, especially for students and seekers
🪔 Puja Samagri (Items Needed)
- Picture or idol of Goddess Gayatri
- Flowers (preferably lotus or jasmine), sandalwood paste, turmeric, kumkum
- Fruits, sweets, coconut, rice, ghee lamp
- Sacred thread (yajnopavita), akshata (rice mixed with turmeric), and water vessel (kalasha)
🙏 Gayatri Puja Vidhi (Worship Procedure)
- Sankalpa (Resolution)
- Take a vow to perform the puja for knowledge, peace, and purification of mind.
- Invocation
- Begin by invoking Lord Ganesha for obstacle-free rituals.
- Kalasha Sthapana
- Place a water-filled pot with mango leaves and coconut to invoke divine presence.
- Alankara (Decoration)
- Decorate the image of Goddess Gayatri with flowers, sandalwood, turmeric, kumkum.
- Gayatri Mantra Japa
- Chant the Gayatri Mantra 108 times or more:
ॐ भूर् भुवः स्वः
तत्सवितुर्वरेण्यं
भर्गो देवस्य धीमहि
धियो यो नः प्रचोदयात्॥
“Om Bhur Bhuvah Swah, Tat Savitur Varenyam,
Bhargo Devasya Dhimahi, Dhiyo Yo Nah Prachodayat”
- Offerings (Upacharas)
- Offer flowers, naivedyam (sweet offerings), and perform aarti.
- Gayatri Ashtottara Shatanamavali (108 names)
- Recite or listen to the 108 names of Gayatri Devi for deep spiritual merit.
- Conclusion & Arati
- Sing Gayatri Aarti and conclude with Shanti Patha (peace chant).
🌟 Benefits of Gayatri Puja
- Sharpens intellect and intuition
- Removes sins and negative karma
- Offers protection from evil influences
- Promotes inner peace and divine energy
📚 Optional Additions
- Recitation of Gayatri Chalisa
- Parayanam (chanting) of Gayatri Kavacham
Performing Havan (fire ritual) with Gayatri Mantra for deeper purification
