📜 Significance:
Navgraha Pooja is dedicated to the worship of the nine celestial bodies (Navagrahas) in Hindu astrology: Surya (Sun), Chandra (Moon), Mangala (Mars), Budha (Mercury), Guru (Jupiter), Shukra (Venus), Shani (Saturn), Rahu, and Ketu. These planets are believed to influence human life and destiny. Performing Navgraha Pooja helps to appease these planetary forces, reduce malefic effects, and bring harmony, health, prosperity, and spiritual balance.
In Maharashtra, Navgraha Pooja is often done to remove astrological doshas, during special occasions, before important life events, or on Saturdays and during eclipses.
🗓️ When It’s Performed:
- On Saturdays (especially for Shani) or during specific planetary transits
- On Amavasya, Purnima, or during eclipses
- During Navratri or other festivals requiring astrological remedies
- Before marriage, new business, housewarming, or travel
🛐 Who Can Perform:
- Individuals or families seeking planetary blessings or astrological remedies
- Performed by a learned Panditji with Vedic knowledge of astrology and rituals
- Can be done at homes, temples, or specially arranged pooja venues
📦 Puja Samagri (Items Required):
- Navgraha yantras or small idols/photos of the nine planets
- Nine small pots or containers representing each planet
- Kalash with water and mango leaves
- Haldi, kumkum, chandan (sandalwood paste)
- Flowers, bilva leaves, and specific leaves associated with each planet
- Diya, agarbatti, camphor
- Fruits, sweets, betel leaves, supari
- Panchamrit, rice, turmeric, and other offerings
- Mantras dedicated to each planet for chanting
🕯️ Main Rituals:
- Invocation of Lord Ganesha and Saraswati for auspicious start
- Setting up the Navgraha idols or yantras in the pooja area
- Offering water, flowers, and specific leaves to each planet
- Chanting dedicated Navgraha mantras for each planet
- Performing aarti with camphor and lighting diyas
- Offering naivedya (fruits, sweets) and distributing prasad
- Concluding with prayers for protection, health, and prosperity
⏳ Duration:
45 minutes to 1 hour depending on ritual complexity
🎁 Benefits of Navgraha Pooja:
- Reduces negative planetary influences and doshas
- Brings peace, stability, and balance in life
- Enhances health, prosperity, and relationships
- Protects from unforeseen obstacles and misfortunes
- Strengthens spiritual growth and cosmic connection
