Aarti and Homa: Navagraha Pooja: Alankara Sahitham

What are homas and aartis?

A homa is a Fire Lab. This is also known as a Yagna or Fire Ritual. Enlightened Masters consider this ritual to be the most evolved spiritual technology on the planet. Fire is chosen as the medium for this ritual, as it is considered a purifying and transforming agent, a form of energy that helps us connect with the divine. Fire acts as the bridge between the gross material world and the subtle spiritual dimensions. The Fire Lab is a sophisticated use of fire, and acting as a multi-dimensional communication technology, it is used to invoke different aspects of divine consciousness known as Archetypes or Gods, Goddesses and Angels.

Archetypes exist internally as dormant potential within our psychophysical system, as well as externally as supernatural beings with whom our prophets, seers and mystics from every religion were in contact. Every one of them has unique abilities that can transform our reality in profound ways. A homa, or Fire Lab, is the most effective way to access them.

An aarti is an important religious ritual in which a traditional light or flame is shown (that is, offered to a deity). An aarti can be lit in a wick soaked in oil or ghee, or by lighting camphor. Any ceremonious or organized worship normally ends with a holy aarti, where the lighted flame is shown to the altar as a final offering for invoking the deity’s blessings. It is then presented to the devotees for their acceptance of the divine grace.

What are navagrahas and what is their significance?

Navagrahas are planets, the celestial bodies. Our tradition regards them to be 9 in number. “Nava” means “nine,” and “graham” means “planet,” and hence they are known as navagrahas. These 9 planets are Surya, the Sun, the most powerful living God, who can bestow good health and prosperity; Chandra, the Moon, who can rule the mind and bring success; Mangala, the Mars, who can shower courage and prosperity; Budha, the Mercury, who can bestow wisdom and wealth; Guru, the Jupiter, who can bless with education, knowledge and good health; Shukra, the Venus, who can give a long life and proficiency in fine arts; Shani, the Saturn, who can ensure happiness; Rahu, the ascending Node of the Moon, who can strengthen life; and Ketu, the descending Node of the Moon, who can negate bad effects and bring prosperity.

Each of these navagrahas, or 9 planets, is ruled by an archetype and has a sacred energy associated with it. Hence, they play a profound role in influencing our lives. The type of authority the planets wield over a person will depend on their position in his or her birth chart, and also their present transit position. As the navagrahas are greatly responsible for the happiness and adversities that take place in a person’s life, they are regarded as divinities and worshipped as Gods. It is no surprise that many temples in South India have shrines dedicated to the navagrahas.

What is a Navagraha Pooja and what is its importance?

A Navagraha Pooja is the ceremonial worship done to the 9 planets. The planetary lords are the presiding deities of this Pooja, and this worship is done to seek their blessings.

An alankaram is a decoration, and “sahitham” means “with.” In this ritual, the navagraha idols are well-decorated, and then special Poojas are conducted for them. These Poojas with decoration are done as part of a homa (fire lab) and aarti (light offering).

What are the benefits of performing the Navagraha Pooja with Alankaram?

Planets are highly influential divine entities, and propitiating them can save us from harm and do us good. The Navagraha Pooja with Alankaram can obtain for the devotees the protection and blessings of the planets. This can help in removing various kinds of negativities and add positive vibrations in life.