Grah Shanti Puja
A marriage in India and more so in Hinduism is not only between the couple but also a union between two the families. To see that the marriage is full of happiness and goodwill there are many rituals. These rituals also bring an understanding between the couple and the parents but also open the door for some enjoyment and interaction. Grah Shanti is one of the most important ritual undertaken 2 or 3 days before the marriage.
Purpose: The main purpose is to bring peace in the House and invoke blessings of
Lord Ganesha. It is well known that the 9 planets or Navgrah play an important
role in the life of an individual or family. Grah Shanti is one of the ritual
which enables to avoid the ill effects of the planets. It is also a platform to
invite the elders, the ancestors and the parents to grace the ceremonies and
bless the couple. The ceremony can be performed in either of the house or in
both the houses but generally it is performed in the groom ‘s house where the
bride will live after marriage.
Vidhi Process:
The
Venue is chosen keeping in mind the auspicious time and date . Depending upon
the traditions generally the ritual is not performed on Tuesday but this is
negotiated in today’s world. It is important that the Pandit or the performer
of the Pooja conducts the ceremony in a Vedic way and through proper chanting
of Shlokas and Mantras. The samagari selected viz Coconut, Pure Ghee,Pure
Water, Kumkum, Rice, Abir Gulal Dhoop Agarbatti Leaves of Ashok or Mango tree
Haldi Gur (Jaggery) and Kalash are of good quality and in adequate quantity and
pure.
The
selected House or venue is decorated with flowers and welcome rangoli is
displayed at the entrance and wherever else required.A Murti of Lord Ganesh is
placed in the selected auspicious corner. The guests and others are greeted
with mangal geet and bhajans/ mantras and blowing of the conch. The couple when
entering the house amid chants sees that the male enters first with the right
leg in front followed by bride with left leg in front.Both need to pay
obeisance at the statue of Bhagwan Ganesh. The entire House including the
Kitchen is well decorated and pooja is done in each of the room and places to
be used. The Kitchen is to be equipped with fresh vegetables, fruit,
mithai(sweets) and milk. These are considered as elements of good and
auspicious value. When the pooja or ritual is over freshly made prasadam is
placed before Bhagwan Ganesh followed by dinning in of the Pandit and others
who perform the pooja. The family members later join the lunch.It is considered
good if some poor people are invited and gracefully served the lunch. Food is
separately kept for domestic animals like Cow. The entire Pooja will definitely
bring good vibe, fortune and understanding in the family.
Dress Code:
In
Hinduism Black and white colored clothes are avoided on the auspicious
occasion. Preferred colors are orange,red or cream. The dress should be loose
and comfortable looking to the need of the Pooja which involves sitting and
getting up a numbers of times besides heat and smoke at the occasion. This code
is applicable to all including the bride and groom. The bride has to be careful
about wearing tight fitted clothes as they are generally not comfortable at
such poojas.
Benefits:
As
already discussed above, this ritual and pooja besides helping the couple to
know each other well in a family way, it also helps in getting the blessings of
the God as well as ancestors, parents and relations and friends. It negates the
ill effect of the planets and works as a protection against the evil eye. It is
a good and healthy way to enter a new life.
By : Suresh Mandan
