For Quick Alerts
Subscribe Now  
For Quick Alerts
ALLOW NOTIFICATIONS  
For Daily Alerts

Dos And Don’ts Of Worshipping Navagrahas

This article provides details on the correct procedure that you must follow while worshipping the Navagrahas. Read here to know more.

By Subodini Menon

Navagrahas are the nine cosmic objects that are said to have a great effect on the human lives. The Navagrahas include Surya, Chandra, Mangal, Buddha, Brihaspati, Shukra, Shani, Rahu and Ketu.

While the Sun is a star, Mangal, Budha, Brihaspati, Shukra and Shani are planets of the solar system. Chandra is the moon and Rahu and Ketu are the north and south nodes of the moon. When a child is born, the exact time is noted.

According to the time given, the exact positions of the Navagrahas are calculated. These calculations help in preparing the birth chart of the child. It is believed that each major event, happiness, illnesses, sorrows and even the time of death can be predicted by the astrologers using the birth chart.

This birth chart is consulted at the time of cross points in life. The birth chart helps in choosing the right path. There are households that take to consulting the birth chart for every major decision or when a life-changing question arises. Marriage matches, career choices, muhurats for weddings, griha pravesh and more often are done only with the help of a birth chart.

The birth chart may not always give positive readings. They may also point out impending disasters. This is often due to the malicious positions of the Navagrahas. At certain times, the rival planets may occupy incompatible positions in the birth chart. When such a problem arises, it is important to perform remedial rituals to appease the Navagrahas.

The patron Gods of these planets must be worshiped according to the directions prescribed by general information or by the astrologers. There are a few important dos and don'ts that need to be followed when performing the remedial rituals or 'Pariharas'. Today, we bring to you a list of things you must keep in mind while worshipping the Navagrahas. Read on to know more.

how to worship navagrahas

How to get rid of Shani doshaHow to get rid of Shani dosha

Dos And Don'ts Of Worshipping Navagrahas

The worship or the Parihara has to be done on the days designated for it. Time and muhurat are important factors too. Following these will bring great changes in your life.

Many people observe fasts when performing the Parihara. While this is not compulsory, it is certainly good to do so and the results will only be better because of it. But if the deity that you worship has some rules and dietary restrictions to be followed, you must follow it. Not eating non-vegetarian food on the Parihara day is a common rule that must be followed.

how to worship navagrahas

Along with the body, your mind too should be clean. Impure thoughts must be avoided to perform a successful Parihara. Sexual thoughts should not enter the mind when worshipping the Navagrahas. If sexual thoughts or deeds happen after the sun rises, it is best to avoid the worship of Navagrahas on that day.

Offerings are always welcome when worshipping the Navagrahas. Flowers, cloth, lamps, etc., are common offerings. The oil for the lamp may be ghee or sesame seeds. There are no specific instructions about what to offer and you are provided with a range of offerings to choose from. The object is not as important as the intent behind the offering.

how to worship navagrahas

The prasad that you receive after offering food and other items to the Navagrahas must be distributed among friends and family. This is especially true when you perform poojas to prevent the doshas in your horoscope. Distributing the prasad will also spread the bhakti among others and this is always a good thing to do.

You should look at the Navagrahas while performing the pooja. Any pooja performed without looking at the deity may cause negative effects. It is a common practice to close one's head or bow the head when pooja is done. This it often done due to respect. But for the pooja to create positive effects in you, you must look at it while it is happening.

The Navagrahas should not be treated with more importance than the other Gods. It is a sin to consider the Navagrahas as greater or equal to the other Gods, especially Lord Shiva. Doing so may bring a curse upon you.

When in a temple, you must always go to pay your respects to the Navagrahas only after you have worshipped the other Gods. When performing a pooja, offer prayer to the other Gods first and then do the Parihara to the Navagrahas.

how to worship navagrahas

It is said that you should only go around the Navagrahas nine times on a Saturday. It is wrong to do so on the other days of the week. This is because Shani would dump his burden on the people who go around the Navagrahas unnecessarily on days except the Saturday.

When worshipping the Navagrahas on a day other than a Saturday, just go around them once.

You must never go around Rahu and Ketu in an Anti-clockwise direction.

You should never stand opposite Lord Shani while worshipping him.

You must never fold your hands while going around the Navagrahas.

Never talk among yourself when going around Navagrahas and dedicate your mind on your deity.

There is always a barrier that separates the Navagrahas and the devotees. You should never try to cross the barrier or to touch the Navagrahas. There are temples where you may perform the poojas yourself but never attempt to do so if you are not sure about the purity of your mind.

Navagrahas must never be prostrated before by you.

If lighting a lamp, never use another person's lamp to light yours. Bring a matchbox of your own or use the fire from the lamp in the temple.

Story first published: Monday, May 15, 2017, 16:35 [IST]
Read more about: worship