While performing daily rituals of pooja, we unintentionally and unknowingly commit so many mistakes. The other day I was performing abhishekam to Shiva linga and I touched Shiva linga. The priest warned me saying that women should never touch shiva linga and as they are allowed only to pour water during abhishekam. I was worried as I touched shivalinga great many times during my volunteering at temples. This was when I have decided that I should post some DOs and DON'Ts one should follow while performing pooja. Hope this article is helpful to everyone as it would be to me.
Offering flowers to Gods:
- Lord Shiva likes BILVAPATRA and BILVA fruit. Bilva leaves have to be a in a stalk with three leaves.
- Lord Vishnu likes white and fragrant colours like mogra, jasmine etc.
- Apart from aromatic flowers, Lord Vishnu loves Tulasi(basil) leaves.
- For Vishnu Pooja, usually 14 types of flowers and leaves are used.
Ganesha:
- Red colored flowers are the favorite of Lord Ganesha.
- Durva (Garika in telugu) Grass is an important offering to Ganesh.
- Other important flowers offered is the Milkweed flower. (It is known as Arka ) and Shanka pushpam/conch flower.
- For proper Ganesha Puja one should procure the leaves and flowers of twenty-one different plants, trees and shrubs. This is called Ekavimshati Patra Puja.
Lord
Krishna
- It is is auspicious to offer Tulasi leaves to Lord Krishna
Goddess Lakshmi:
- Bilva leaves & red & white color flowers are auspicious to be offered to Maa LakshmiLotus is the most favorite and sacred flower for the goddess.
- During Lakshmi pooja, 9 types of flowers & leaves should be offered
Tulasi:
- Marigold flower is the favorite flower for Goddess Tulasi
- Red cloth is the favorite cloth
- Offering Goose berries & its stem bring auspicious results
Lord Hanuman:
- Red color flowers and Parijaata flower is dear to him
- Red cloth to be offered to him
- All kind of fruits are suitable for his naivedya
- Offering sindoor (kesari and oil) brings special blessings from him
Goddess Saraswati
- White & Yellow colored flowers (lotus, lilies or jasmines) should be offered to Goddess Saraswati
- Yellow/White color cloth should be offered to her.
- Books when placed in pooja are wrapped in Red or pink silk cloth and placed
Dieties presiding in flowers:
Sowgandhika flower - Presiding diety is Bheemasena
White flowers - Presiding diety is Lord Shiva
Punnaga flower - Presiding diety is GaruDa
Dhruva grass - Presiding diety is Varuna
Thulasi - Presiding diety is Sri Maha Lakshmi
