📜 Significance:
Nakshatra Shanti Puja is a Vedic ritual performed to neutralize the malefic effects of one’s Janma Nakshatra (birth star) or specific doshas associated with it. If a child is born under an inauspicious nakshatra or a Gandmool nakshatra (like Ashwini, Magha, Mool, etc.), or if planetary positions during birth are unfavorable, this puja is highly recommended.
It ensures health, long life, peace, and protection for the individual, especially infants or newborns. In Maharashtra, it is often done in the first year after birth, along with or soon after Namkaran Sanskar.
🗓️ When It’s Performed:
- On the 27th day after the child’s birth (ideal) or within the first year
- On the same Nakshatra tithi as the child’s Janma Nakshatra
- Can also be performed during specific dosha periods or as advised by a Pandit or astrologer
🛐 Who Can Perform:
- Parents of newborns or infants whose nakshatra indicates dosha or inauspicious results
- Individuals facing recurring health, psychological, or emotional challenges related to nakshatra
- Performed by qualified Panditji based on the individual’s Janma Kundli (birth chart)
📦 Puja Samagri (Items Required):
- Horoscope (Janma Kundli)
- Ganesh idol/photo, Kalash with mango leaves & coconut
- Panchamrit (milk, curd, ghee, honey, sugar)
- Flowers, garlands, turmeric, kumkum, rice, durva
- Specific grains (Navadhanya) & black sesame seeds
- Navgraha yantras or symbols, silver or copper coin
- Sweet offerings (pedha, fruits), supari, paan, betel nuts
- Cow ghee, camphor, havan kund and samidha for homam
- Clothes and dakshina for Pandit and Brahmins
🕯️ Main Ritual Steps:
- Ganapati Puja to remove obstacles
- Kalash Sthapana and Sankalpa (resolution for the child’s well-being)
- Janma Nakshatra invocation with appropriate mantras
- Abhishek (ritual bath) of deity or Kalash for peace and strength
- Graha Shanti and Navgraha Puja to pacify planetary positions
- Nakshatra-specific Homam / Havan with chanting of Vedic mantras
- Tarpan, Brahman bhojan, and charity for dosha relief
- Ashirwad and aarti for child’s protection and progress
⏳ Duration:
Approximately 2 to 2.5 hours, depending on nakshatra dosha severity
🎁 Benefits of Nakshatra Shanti Puja:
- Reduces negative karmic effects from Janma Nakshatra
- Ensures long life, good health, and emotional stability for the child
- Prevents delays in growth milestones, speech, or development
- Neutralizes harmful effects of Gandmool, Ashlesha, or other critical nakshatras
- Brings peace of mind and protection from hidden obstacles
