Other Pujas — Vedic Puja Vidhi
Chandra Grahan Puja
Chandra Grahan Puja refers to the ritual observances performed during a lunar eclipse — the astronomical event when the Earth's shadow falls upon the Moon. In Vedic tradition, the Moon (Chandra) governs the mind, emotions, maternal lineage, and the body's water elements, making a lunar eclipse a particularly sensitive time for mental and emotional health. The sutak period for a lunar eclipse begins 9 hours before the eclipse for householders. Chandra Shanti Puja — a dedicated propitiatory ritual for the Moon — is performed to pacify any natal Chandra dosha (afflictions of the Moon in the birth chart) that the eclipse may aggravate. Holy bathing after the eclipse ends (moksha) is central to the observance, along with specific rules about food, donation, and mantra recitation during and after the eclipse.
Last updated: 23 April 2026 · Source: Vedic Tradition
Benefits
Chandra Grahan Puja pacifies the emotional turbulence and mental instability that can be amplified during a lunar eclipse, especially for those with a weak or afflicted Moon in their natal chart. Holy bathing at a sacred river after the eclipse confers immense spiritual merit and is believed to cleanse sins accumulated across many lifetimes. Mantra japa during the eclipse period is many times more potent than at ordinary times, and those who perform Chandra mantra recitation report relief from anxiety, insomnia, and mood disorders. Donating white items — white cloth, rice, milk, silver, curd — to Brahmins after the eclipse pacifies Chandra and strengthens the Moon's positive influence in the horoscope. Pregnant women are traditionally asked to observe this puja carefully to protect the unborn child.
Step-by-Step Procedure
Observe sutak from 9 hours before a lunar eclipse: fast, abstain from cooking, and place tulsi leaves in stored food and water. Spend the eclipse period in mantra japa — chant "Om Som Somaya Namah" or "Om Chandraya Namah" on a white sandalwood or crystal rosary. Perform Chandra Shanti puja by offering white flowers, white sandalwood paste, milk, and rice to a Shiva lingam (since Shiva bears the Moon on his head as Chandrashekhara). If accessible, recite the Chandra Kavacham and Chandra Ashtottara Shatanamavali during the eclipse. At the moment of moksha, take a holy bath — preferably in a river — while chanting the Mahamrityunjaya Mantra. Perform post-eclipse Chandra arghya by offering milk mixed with water from a silver or copper vessel while facing the Moon. Donate white rice, white cloth, silver, curd, white sugar, and a conch to a Brahmin after the bath.
Best Time (Muhurat)
This puja is performed exclusively on the day and night of a lunar eclipse (Chandra Grahan), which always occurs on a Purnima (full moon). The eclipse peak (grahan madhya) is ideal for intense mantra japa, and the moment of moksha is the appointed time for holy bathing. Lunar eclipses on spiritually significant Purnimas — such as Guru Purnima, Sharad Purnima, or Kartika Purnima — are especially auspicious for puja and donation, and draw large gatherings at ghats in Varanasi, Haridwar, and Prayagraj.
Materials Required (Samagri)
- ·Tulsi leaves
- ·White sandalwood or crystal japa mala
- ·Chandra Kavacham / Chandra Ashtottara text
- ·Silver or copper vessel (for arghya)
- ·Milk
- ·White rice
- ·White cloth
- ·White flowers (jasmine, white lotus)
- ·White sandalwood paste
- ·Gangajal
- ·Curd
- ·Silver (small piece or coin)
- ·Conch (shankh)
- ·Incense sticks
- ·Camphor
FAQ
Q.What is Chandra Grahan Puja?
Chandra Grahan Puja refers to the ritual observances performed during a lunar eclipse — the astronomical event when the Earth's shadow falls upon the Moon. In Vedic tradition, the Moon (Chandra) governs the mind, emotions, maternal lineage, and the b...
Q.What are the benefits of Chandra Grahan Puja?
Chandra Grahan Puja pacifies the emotional turbulence and mental instability that can be amplified during a lunar eclipse, especially for those with a weak or afflicted Moon in their natal chart. Holy bathing at a sacred river after the eclipse confers immense spiritual merit and is believed to cleanse sins accumulated across many lifetimes. Mantra japa during the eclipse period is many times more potent than at ordinary times, and those who perform Chandra mantra recitation report relief from anxiety, insomnia, and mood disorders. Donating white items — white cloth, rice, milk, silver, curd — to Brahmins after the eclipse pacifies Chandra and strengthens the Moon's positive influence in the horoscope. Pregnant women are traditionally asked to observe this puja carefully to protect the unborn child.
Q.What is the best time to perform Chandra Grahan Puja?
This puja is performed exclusively on the day and night of a lunar eclipse (Chandra Grahan), which always occurs on a Purnima (full moon). The eclipse peak (grahan madhya) is ideal for intense mantra japa, and the moment of moksha is the appointed time for holy bathing. Lunar eclipses on spiritually significant Purnimas — such as Guru Purnima, Sharad Purnima, or Kartika Purnima — are especially auspicious for puja and donation, and draw large gatherings at ghats in Varanasi, Haridwar, and Prayagraj.
Q.What materials are needed for Chandra Grahan Puja?
Tulsi leaves, White sandalwood or crystal japa mala, Chandra Kavacham / Chandra Ashtottara text, Silver or copper vessel (for arghya), Milk, White rice, White cloth, White flowers (jasmine, white lotus), White sandalwood paste, Gangajal, Curd, Silver (small piece or coin), Conch (shankh), Incense sticks, Camphor.