Planetary Pujas — Vedic Puja Vidhi
Navagraha Shanti Puja
Navagraha Shanti Puja is a comprehensive Vedic ceremony performed to pacify and propitiate all nine planetary deities — Surya (Sun), Chandra (Moon), Mangal (Mars), Budha (Mercury), Guru (Jupiter), Shukra (Venus), Shani (Saturn), Rahu (North Node), and Ketu (South Node). The planets are considered living cosmic forces whose combined influence shapes a person's destiny, health, career, relationships, and spiritual progress. When multiple planets are afflicted or in challenging positions in the natal chart (kundali), a Navagraha Shanti Puja addresses all of them simultaneously through a coordinated havan (sacred fire), mantra recitation, and offerings tailored to each planet's nature. This puja is commonly performed after birth, before marriage, at the start of a major life phase, or whenever a jyotishi (astrologer) identifies significant planetary doshas.
Last updated: 24 April 2026 · Source: Vedic Tradition
Benefits
Neutralises the combined malefic effects of multiple planetary doshas in the natal chart, removes obstacles caused by Shani Sade Sati, Rahu-Ketu transit, and Mangal dosha, brings health, prosperity, and career stability, harmonises relationships and family life, accelerates spiritual growth, protects against sudden misfortunes and accidents, and clears the path for positive planetary transits to manifest their full benefits.
Step-by-Step Procedure
The puja requires a qualified pandit and is best performed at a mandap or temple. Set up nine small clay or metal kalashas (pots) arranged in a grid pattern representing the nine planets, each draped in the corresponding planetary colour. Prepare nine separate sets of offerings — grains, flowers, and cloth — in each planet's associated colour (red for Surya, white for Chandra, red for Mangal, green for Budha, yellow for Guru, white/cream for Shukra, black/blue for Shani, mixed for Rahu, grey for Ketu). The ceremony begins with Ganesh puja and Kalash sthapana. The pandit recites the Navagraha Stotra, followed by individual mantras for each planet (108 times each). A havan is then performed using the specific samidha (wood) and ahuti (oblations) for each planet. The ceremony concludes with aarti, pushpanjali, and distribution of prasad. The entire ritual typically spans 2–3 hours.
Best Time (Muhurat)
Sunday (for Surya) and Wednesday (for Budha) are traditionally auspicious for Navagraha puja, but the ceremony itself is commonly performed on the day recommended by the family jyotishi based on the native's kundali. Pushya Nakshatra, Uttara Phalguni, and Hasta nakshatras are considered especially favourable. Performing it during a Jupiter hora (auspicious planetary hour) adds further potency.
Materials Required (Samagri)
- ·Nine clay or metal kalashas
- ·Nine sets of planetary grains (wheat, rice, red lentils, green moong, chickpeas, white rice, sesame, black urad, horse gram)
- ·Nine coloured cloths
- ·Nine types of flowers
- ·Ghee and sesame for havan
- ·Nine planetary samidhas (palash, palash, khadira, apamarga, peepal, gular, shami, durva, kusha)
- ·Camphor
- ·Incense
- ·Coconut
- ·Akshat
- ·Panchamrit
- ·Navagraha yantra (optional)
FAQ
Q.What is Navagraha Shanti Puja?
Navagraha Shanti Puja is a comprehensive Vedic ceremony performed to pacify and propitiate all nine planetary deities — Surya (Sun), Chandra (Moon), Mangal (Mars), Budha (Mercury), Guru (Jupiter), Shukra (Venus), Shani (Saturn), Rahu (North Node), an...
Q.What are the benefits of Navagraha Shanti Puja?
Neutralises the combined malefic effects of multiple planetary doshas in the natal chart, removes obstacles caused by Shani Sade Sati, Rahu-Ketu transit, and Mangal dosha, brings health, prosperity, and career stability, harmonises relationships and family life, accelerates spiritual growth, protects against sudden misfortunes and accidents, and clears the path for positive planetary transits to manifest their full benefits.
Q.What is the best time to perform Navagraha Shanti Puja?
Sunday (for Surya) and Wednesday (for Budha) are traditionally auspicious for Navagraha puja, but the ceremony itself is commonly performed on the day recommended by the family jyotishi based on the native's kundali. Pushya Nakshatra, Uttara Phalguni, and Hasta nakshatras are considered especially favourable. Performing it during a Jupiter hora (auspicious planetary hour) adds further potency.
Q.What materials are needed for Navagraha Shanti Puja?
Nine clay or metal kalashas, Nine sets of planetary grains (wheat, rice, red lentils, green moong, chickpeas, white rice, sesame, black urad, horse gram), Nine coloured cloths, Nine types of flowers, Ghee and sesame for havan, Nine planetary samidhas (palash, palash, khadira, apamarga, peepal, gular, shami, durva, kusha), Camphor, Incense, Coconut, Akshat, Panchamrit, Navagraha yantra (optional).