Introduction
India is a land of diverse cultures, and the people of India celebrate various festivals and rituals with great enthusiasm. One of the significant rituals in Hinduism is the Bheema Ratha Shanthi Pooja, which is performed to commemorate the 70th birthday of a person. In this article, we will discuss the significance and procedure of Bheema Ratha Shanthi Pooja in detail.
Significance of Bheema Ratha Shanthi Pooja
Bheema Ratha Shanthi Pooja is performed to mark the 70th birthday of an individual. According to Hinduism, a person’s life is divided into four stages, namely Brahmacharya, Grihastha, Vanaprastha, and Sannyasa. The Grihastha stage is considered the most important stage of life, as it is the stage where an individual contributes to society and raises a family. The Bheema Ratha Shanthi Pooja is performed to mark the completion of 69 years of age and the beginning of the 70th year, which is considered the last year of the Grihastha stage.
A Brief Overview
Bheema Ratha Shanthi Pooja is performed to seek the blessings of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati for long and healthy life. It is usually performed by the individual’s children or grandchildren, and it involves various rituals and prayers.
Procedure of Bheema Ratha Shanthi Pooja
The procedure of Bheema Ratha Shanthi Pooja can be divided into four stages, namely preparations for the pooja, muhurtham for the pooja, rituals, and prayers of the pooja, and conclusion of the pooja.
Preparations for the Pooja
The preparations for the pooja usually begin a few days before the actual date. The family members clean the house, decorate it with flowers and rangolis, and arrange for the pooja samagri, which includes items like flowers, incense sticks, camphor, turmeric powder, and sandalwood powder. They also invite a pandit or priest to perform the pooja.
Muhurtham for the Pooja
The muhurtham for the pooja is usually decided based on the individual’s horoscope. The pandit or priest checks the horoscope and determines the auspicious time for the pooja. The pooja is usually performed early in the morning or in the evening.
Benefits of performing Bheema Ratha Shanthi Pooja
Performing the Bheema Ratha Shanthi Pooja is believed to bring several benefits, which include the following:
- Long and healthy life: The pooja is performed to seek the blessings of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati for long and healthy life.
- Removal of obstacles: The pooja is believed to remove all obstacles and ensure success in all endeavors.
- Prosperity and happiness: The pooja is believed to bring prosperity and happiness to the individual and the family.
- Peace of mind: The pooja is believed to bring peace of mind and alleviate stress and anxiety.
Rituals and Prayers of the Pooja
On the day of the pooja, the individual takes a holy bath and wears new clothes. The pandit or priest then performs various rituals and prayers, which include the following:
- Ganesh Pooja: The pooja begins with the Ganesh Pooja, where Lord Ganesha is worshipped to remove all obstacles and ensure the success of the pooja.
- Punyaha Vachanam: This is a ritual that involves sprinkling holy water and chanting mantras to purify the surroundings and remove all negative energies.
- Ganesh Pooja: A pot filled with water and adorned with flowers and mango leaves is placed in the pooja room. This pot symbolizes the universe and is believed to attract positive energies.
- Vastu Pooja: This ritual is performed to seek the blessings of the deities of the directions and ensure the well-being of the household.
- Navagraha Shanthi Pooja: This is a ritual that involves worshipping the nine planets to remove any malefic effects and ensure a happy life.
- Rudra Abhishekam: This is a prayer offered to Lord Shiva, where water, milk, and other holy substances are poured on the Shiva Linga while chanting mantras.
- Homa: A fire is lit, and offerings are made to the fire while chanting mantras. Fire is believed to purify the atmosphere and remove any negative energies.
- Aarathi: A lamp is lit, and camphor is offered to the deities while chanting mantras. This signifies the completion of the pooja.
Conclusion
After the completion of the pooja, the pandit or priest offers prasad to the deities and distributes it among the family members. The family members then seek the blessings of the elders and touch their feet as a sign of respect. The individual whose birthday is being celebrated is given new clothes and gifts by family members.