📜 Significance:
Tithi Pooja refers to the worship or religious observance performed on specific lunar dates (Tithis) in the Hindu calendar that hold spiritual or ritual significance. In Maharashtra, various Tithis are associated with different deities and purposes—such as Ekadashi (Lord Vishnu), Chaturthi (Lord Ganesha), Purnima (full moon), Amavasya (new moon), Trayodashi (Dhanteras), and so on. Performing pooja on these days enhances spiritual energy, removes obstacles, and aligns devotees with cosmic rhythms.
Each Tithi has its own vrat (fast), rituals, and recommended deities. Observing them with devotion helps in personal, spiritual, and familial well-being.
🗓️ When It’s Performed:
- Based on the Hindu lunar calendar, different Tithis fall throughout each month
- Some commonly observed Tithis in Maharashtra include:
- Ekadashi (twice a month – for Lord Vishnu)
- Sankashti Chaturthi (for Lord Ganesha)
- Purnima (full moon – for Satyanarayan Puja)
- Amavasya (new moon – for Pitru Tarpan or ancestor worship)
- Trayodashi (for Lord Dhanvantari and wealth rituals)
- Timing varies; usually performed during muhurats or specific parts of the day prescribed for that Tithi
🛐 Who Can Perform:
- Individuals, families, or communities
- Can be performed by the head of the household, devotees, or with the guidance of a Panditji
- Many women observe Tithi vrat and poojas at home
📦 Puja Samagri (Items Required): (varies by Tithi and deity)
A general list includes:
- Idol/photo of respective deity (e.g., Vishnu, Ganesha, Lakshmi, Shiva)
- Kalash with mango leaves and coconut
- Haldi, kumkum, chandan (sandalwood paste)
- Flowers, garlands, tulsi leaves (for Vishnu), durva (for Ganesha)
- Diya, agarbatti, camphor
- Fruits, sweets (specific offerings as per deity)
- Panchamrit, naivedya, betel leaves, supari
- Sacred books or mantras for chanting
🕯️ Main Rituals:
- Bath and wearing clean traditional attire before sunrise
- Setting up a pooja altar with the relevant deity’s image or murti
- Lighting a diya and invoking the deity with mantras and prayers
- Offering samagri like flowers, tulsi/durva, and naivedya
- Performing aarti and chanting specific mantras (e.g., Vishnu Sahasranama on Ekadashi, Ganapati Atharvashirsha on Chaturthi)
- Observing vrat (fasting) and breaking it only after pooja (as per tradition)
- In some cases (like Amavasya), tarpan or offerings to ancestors are also performed
⏳ Duration:
30 to 60 minutes depending on the Tithi and specific rituals involved
🎁 Benefits of Tithi Pooja:
- Enhances personal and spiritual discipline
- Brings peace, health, and prosperity by aligning with cosmic timings
- Removes obstacles and fulfills specific desires or intentions
- Gains blessings from deities and ancestors
- Purifies the home and mind, bringing divine positivity into life
