నవగ్రహ పూజ / శాంతి
Navagraha Puja / Shanti — Complete Puja Guide with Mantras
📋 At a glance
- Ideal days
- Amavasya (all grahas), respective planet weekdays, when specific graha causes dosha (e.g., Sade Sati → Shani puja Saturdays)
- Duration
- 1.5-2 hours
- Difficulty
- Best with pandit for first performance; can be done at home after learning
Why perform Navagraha Puja / Shanti?
Remove planetary doshas (Sade Sati, Ashtama Shani, Rahu-Ketu Dosha, Mangala Dosha, Guru Chandala Yoga). Balance karma-fal from planetary transits. Traditional remedy prescribed by every Vedic astrologer. Brihat Parashara Hora Shastra recommends navagraha shanti as first-line remedy before gemstone/rudraksha prescriptions.
🕉 Samagri (Items Needed)
Photos/Idols
- Navagraha yantra or 9-panel photo
- OR 9 metal disks arranged in classical grid
Puja essentials
- 9 kalashas (small) — one per graha
- Coconut, betel leaves, betel nuts
- Turmeric, kumkum, chandan
- Akshata (9 colors ideally)
Colored cloths (9)
- Red (Sun)
- White (Moon)
- Red (Mars)
- Green (Mercury)
- Yellow (Jupiter)
- White (Venus)
- Black/Blue (Saturn)
- Multicolored (Rahu)
- Multicolored (Ketu)
Flowers (9 types)
- Red lotus (Sun)
- White flowers (Moon)
- Red (Mars)
- Champaka (Mercury)
- Yellow (Jupiter)
- White (Venus)
- Blue (Saturn)
- Multi (Rahu, Ketu)
Grains (9 types — nava dhanya)
- Wheat, rice, tur dal, moong, chana, sesame, urad, horse gram, black dal — small quantities each
Naivedyam
- Payasam
- Fruits
- Coconut, jaggery
Other
- 2 diyas, camphor, incense
- Sacred thread (yajnopavita) if wearing
✓ Preparation Before Puja
- ✿ Consult panchangam for auspicious muhurtam (any Amavasya works, or day of the specific graha you want to appease)
- ✿ Prepare nava-dhanya (9 grains) — buy from local store, arrange in 9 small piles
- ✿ Arrange navagraha grid: Surya (center), Chandra (SE), Mangal (S), Budh (NE), Guru (N), Shukra (E), Shani (W), Rahu (SW), Ketu (NW)
- ✿ Fast during the day
🎯 Step-by-Step Vidhanam
Sanskrit mantras · Telugu transliteration · English meaning · Per Bodhayana Grihya Sutra + Kanchi Peetham Paddhati
Achamana + Ganesh Prarthana
ఆచమనం + గణపతి ప్రార్థన.
शुक्लाम्बरधरं विष्णुं शशिवर्णं चतुर्भुजम् · प्रसन्नवदनं ध्यायेत् सर्वविघ्नोपशान्तये
Shuklambaradharam Vishnum...
Standard Ganesh invocation.
Sankalpam
సంకల్పం — నవగ్రహ శాంతి కోసం, గ్రహ దోష నివారణ కోసం.
मम जन्म पत्रिकायां प्रतिकूल ग्रह शान्त्यर्थं नवग्रह पूजां करिष्ये
Mama janma patrikayam pratikula graha shantyartham navagraha pujam karishye
"For the pacification of unfavorable grahas in my birth chart, I undertake this Navagraha puja."
Navagraha Grid Sthapana
నవగ్రహ యంత్రం స్థాపన — 9 గ్రహాలను వారి స్థానాలలో ఉంచండి.
सूर्यः केन्द्रे स्थितः · चन्द्रो आग्नेय्यां · मङ्गलो दक्षिणे · बुधो ईशान्यां · गुरुरुत्तरे · शुक्रो पूर्वे · शनिः पश्चिमे · राहुर्नैर्ऋत्ये · केतुर्वायव्ये
Suryah kendre sthitah · Chandro agneyyam · Mangalo dakshine · Budho ishanyam · Gurur uttare · Shukro purve · Shanih pashchime · Rahur nairritye · Ketur vayavye
"Surya at center · Chandra in SE · Mangal in S · Budh in NE · Guru in N · Shukra in E · Shani in W · Rahu in SW · Ketu in NW." Classical navagraha grid arrangement.
Surya (Sun) Puja
సూర్య పూజ — ఎర్ర పుష్పం, గోధుమ, పాయసం.
ॐ जपाकुसुम सङ्काशं काश्यपेयं महाद्युतिम् · तमोरिं सर्वपापघ्नं प्रणतोऽस्मि दिवाकरम्
Om Japakusuma sankasham Kashyapeyam mahadyutim · Tamorim sarvapapaghnam pranato'smi divakaram
"I bow to Divakara (Sun), resembling the hibiscus flower in colour, son of sage Kashyapa, of great effulgence, enemy of darkness and destroyer of all sins."
Chandra (Moon) Puja
చంద్ర పూజ — తెల్ల పుష్పం, బియ్యం, పాలు.
ॐ दधिशङ्खतुषाराभं क्षीरोदार्णवसम्भवम् · नमामि शशिनं सोमं शम्भोर्मुकुटभूषणम्
Om Dadhi shankha tusharabham kshiroda arnava sambhavam · Namami shashinam somam Shambhor mukuta bhushanam
"I salute the Moon, white as curd, conch, or dew-drops, born from the milk ocean, ornament on Shambhu (Shiva's) crown."
Mangal (Mars) Puja
కుజ (అంగారక) పూజ — ఎర్ర పుష్పం, తుర్ దాల్.
ॐ धरणीगर्भसम्भूतं विद्युत्कान्ति समप्रभम् · कुमारं शक्तिहस्तं तं मङ्गलं प्रणमाम्यहम्
Om Dharani garbha sambhutam vidyutkanti samaprabham · Kumaram shakti hastam tam Mangalam pranamamyaham
"I bow to Mangala (Mars), born from the womb of Earth, brilliant as lightning, a youth holding a spear."
Budh (Mercury) Puja
బుధ పూజ — ఆకుపచ్చ పుష్పం, ఆకుపచ్చ పప్పు.
ॐ प्रियङ्गुकलिकाश्यामं रूपेणाप्रतिमं बुधम् · सौम्यं सौम्यगुणोपेतं तं बुधं प्रणमाम्यहम्
Om Priyangu kalikashyamam rupenapratimam Budham · Saumyam saumyagunopetam tam Budham pranamamyaham
"I bow to Budha (Mercury), dark like the priyangu bud, of matchless beauty, gentle and endowed with gentle qualities."
Guru (Jupiter) Puja
గురు పూజ — పసుపు పుష్పం, పసుపు పప్పు.
ॐ देवानां च ऋषीणां च गुरुं काञ्चनसन्निभम् · बुद्धिभूतं त्रिलोकेशं तं नमामि बृहस्पतिम्
Om Devanam cha rishinam cha gurum kanchanasannibham · Buddhibhutam trilokesham tam namami Brihaspatim
"I salute Brihaspati (Jupiter), the guru of gods and sages, of golden color, embodiment of wisdom, lord of three worlds."
Shukra (Venus) Puja
శుక్ర పూజ — తెల్ల పుష్పం, తెల్ల ధాన్యం.
ॐ हिमकुन्द मृणालाभं दैत्यानां परमं गुरुम् · सर्वशास्त्र प्रवक्तारं भार्गवं प्रणमाम्यहम्
Om Hima kunda mrinalabham daityanam paramam gurum · Sarvashastra pravaktaram Bhargavam pranamamyaham
"I bow to Shukra (Venus), white as snow, jasmine, or lotus-fiber; the supreme guru of daityas; expositor of all shastras; descendant of Bhrigu."
Shani (Saturn) Puja
శని పూజ — నల్ల నువ్వులు, నీలం లేదా నలుపు పుష్పం.
ॐ नीलाञ्जन समाभासं रविपुत्रं यमाग्रजम् · छायामार्तण्डसम्भूतं तं नमामि शनैश्चरम्
Om Nilanjana samabhasam Raviputram Yamagrajam · Chhaya Martanda sambhutam tam namami Shanaishcharam
"I bow to Shanaishchara (Saturn), of blue collyrium color, son of Ravi (Sun), elder brother of Yama, born of Chhaya and Martanda."
Rahu Puja
రాహు పూజ — నీలం లేదా బహుమిశ్ర పుష్పం, ఉద్దు దాల్.
ॐ अर्धकायं महावीर्यं चन्द्रादित्य विमर्दनम् · सिंहिकागर्भसम्भूतं तं राहुं प्रणमाम्यहम्
Om Ardhakayam mahaviryam Chandraditya vimardanam · Simhika garbha sambhutam tam Rahum pranamamyaham
"I bow to Rahu, of half-body, great strength, eclipser of Moon and Sun, born from Simhika's womb."
Ketu Puja
కేతు పూజ — బహుమిశ్ర పుష్పం, ఎర్ర పప్పు.
ॐ पलाशपुष्पसङ्काशं तारकाग्रह मस्तकम् · रौद्रं रौद्रात्मकं घोरं तं केतुं प्रणमाम्यहम्
Om Palashapushpa sankasham tarakagraha mastakam · Raudram raudratmakam ghoram tam Ketum pranamamyaham
"I bow to Ketu, resembling palasha flower, at the head of the star-planets, fierce and terrible in form."
Nava Graha Shanti Homa (or Japa alternative)
నవగ్రహ శాంతి హోమం (అగ్ని ద్వారా) లేదా ప్రతి గ్రహ మంత్రం 108 సార్లు జపం.
ॐ नमो नवग्रहेभ्यः · ब्रह्ममूर्ते ग्रहाधीश सर्वग्रह निवारक · कल्याणकारक शान्तिं देहि नमो नमः
Om Namo Navagrahebhyah · Brahma-murte grahadhisha sarvagraha nivaraka · Kalyanakaraka shantim dehi namo namah
"Salutations to the nine grahas. O manifestation of Brahma, lord of grahas, pacifier of all grahas — auspicious one, please grant peace."
Aarti + Kshama Prarthana
కర్పూర హారతి, క్షమా ప్రార్థన.
यन्मया दूषितं देवाः यत्किंचित् क्रियया गिरा · कर्मणा मनसा वापि तत्सर्वं क्षन्तुमर्हथ
Yanmaya dushitam devah yat kinchit kriyaya gira · Karmana manasa vapi tat sarvam kshantumarhatha
"Whatever I have done wrongly to you all, O Devas, through action, speech, or thought — please forgive it all."
🍯 Naivedya (Food Offering)
Main: Nava-dhanya payasam — kheer prepared with all 9 grains (small quantity of each). Or standard rice/vermicelli payasam.
Others: 9 fruits (one per graha ideally) · 9 different sweets · Coconut · Jaggery — traditional graha offering
📿 Sampradaya Variations
Standard Smartha grid used above (Kanchi Peetham published). South Indian temple version: Vaidyanatheswara Swamy Navagraha Sthala (Kumbakonam area) has 9 dedicated temples for direct pilgrimage. Vedic homa version (Kalasha + Homa Kunda) requires trained pandit.
❓ FAQ
▸ Do I need a pandit for Navagraha Puja?
For first-time full puja with homa (fire ritual), yes — a knowledgeable pandit is strongly recommended. For daily/weekly graha-specific japa (Om Suryaya Namah, etc.), home practice is fine.
▸ Which graha to worship for which problem?
Consult a Vedic astrologer for your specific dosha. Common: Shani for Sade Sati / Kantaka Shani. Mangal for Mangala Dosha. Rahu-Ketu for Kala Sarpa Dosha. Guru for education/wisdom. Full navagraha shanti addresses all together.
▸ Can I substitute all 9 grains if some are unavailable?
Yes — traditional 9 (wheat, rice, tur, moong, chana, sesame, urad, horse gram, black dal) but any local substitutes work. Sincere intention matters.
▸ Which day is best for Navagraha Puja?
Amavasya (new moon) is universal. Alternatively: day of the specific graha causing problems (Saturday for Shani, Tuesday for Mangal, etc.).
▸ Should I fast during Navagraha Puja?
Traditional: partial fast until puja completion. Fruits + water allowed. Full fast only if health permits.
▸ Is Navagraha Puja alone enough for major doshas like Kaal Sarpa?
It helps, but severe doshas typically need combined remedies — puja + gemstone + rudraksha + charity. Consult /dosha/kaal-sarp-dosha/ and a Vedic astrologer for personalized remedies.
Disclaimer: This guide is for personal daily home practice. For major life-ceremony rituals (marriage, upanayanam, first-time performances of complex vratams), please consult a qualified Vedic pandit familiar with your family's sampradaya. Regional and family customs vary.