1. What is Navagraha Puja?
The Navagraha Puja (Nine Planets Worship) propitiates the nine celestial bodies that influence human life according to Vedic astrology: Surya (Sun), Chandra (Moon), Mangal (Mars), Budha (Mercury), Guru (Jupiter), Shukra (Venus), Shani (Saturn), Rahu (the north lunar node) and Ketu (the south lunar node). Performing this puja pacifies planetary afflictions in one's birth chart and seeks the blessings of all nine planets simultaneously.
"The Navagrahas are not malevolent โ they are teachers. Shani gives lessons through hardship; Rahu through desire; Ketu through detachment. Worshipping them is acknowledging that all circumstances in life are divine curriculum."
2. The Nine Grahas
Surya (Sun)
Health, authority, father. Sunday. Gemstone: Ruby.
Chandra (Moon)
Mind, emotions, mother. Monday. Gemstone: Pearl.
Mangal (Mars)
Energy, courage, siblings. Tuesday. Gemstone: Coral.
Budha (Mercury)
Intelligence, speech, business. Wednesday. Gemstone: Emerald.
Guru (Jupiter)
Wisdom, teacher, children. Thursday. Gemstone: Yellow Sapphire.
Shukra (Venus)
Luxury, beauty, marriage. Friday. Gemstone: Diamond.
Shani (Saturn)
Karma, discipline, longevity. Saturday. Gemstone: Blue Sapphire.
Rahu
Desires, illusion, worldly ambition. No weekday. Gemstone: Hessonite.
Ketu
Spirituality, liberation, past karma. No weekday. Gemstone: Cat's Eye.
3. Navagraha Puja Procedure
- Prepare nine small kalash (pots) or a Navagraha yantra or image
- Set up each graha's representation with its corresponding colour and flower
- Begin with Ganesh puja, then Kalash Sthapana
- Recite the Navagraha Stotra (9-verse hymn) by sage Vyasa
- Chant each planet's beej (seed) mantra 108 times
- Offer each graha its prescribed items (see below)
- Perform havan (fire ritual) with Navagraha samidha (sacred wood) if doing a formal puja
- Conclude with aarti and distribution of prasad
4. Planetary Mantras (Beej Mantras)
- Surya: Om Hram Hrim Hraum Sah Suryaya Namah
- Chandra: Om Shram Shrim Shraum Sah Chandraya Namah
- Mangal: Om Kram Krim Kraum Sah Bhaumaya Namah
- Budha: Om Bram Brim Braum Sah Budhaya Namah
- Guru: Om Gram Grim Graum Sah Gurave Namah
- Shukra: Om Dram Drim Draum Sah Shukraya Namah
- Shani: Om Pram Prim Praum Sah Shanaischaraya Namah
- Rahu: Om Bhram Bhrim Bhraum Sah Rahave Namah
- Ketu: Om Shram Shrim Shraum Sah Ketave Namah