|
Rituals / Poojas
Rituals/Poojas to be performed
The Vastu Shastras are full of ritualistic data that pertain to the relationship of a person to the earth (bhoomi) or with the energies (vastu devata) or to the trees (vana mahotsavam, vana muhurtam).
To understand the right time to plant, to sow, to build, to reap, and to expand businesses are all part of the Vastu Shastras.
Many important functions such as the following: Vastu Muhurtam, Bhoomi Puja, Garbhanyasa, Kumbhabhishekam, Grihapravesam have been pointed out below:
Vastu Muhurtam
After referring to the Panchangam or Indian calendar, the right time is chosen to inaugurate the site and to propitiate the energies. The time chosen is when the Vastu Purusha is awake and therefore capable of participating in the ceremony in a powerful manner. As already stated, the Vastu Purusha is awake during eight months of the year and asleep in the other four. (Eight months of wakefulness - Mesha, Vrishabha, Kataka, Simha, Tula, Vrichika, Makara and Kumbha. Four months of Sleep-Dhanur, Mina, Mithuna and Kanya).
Bhoomi Puja
Usually this puja is carried out at the same time as vastu muhurtam. A small 64-part diagram denoting the manduka padam and the Vastu Purusha within it is marked in the NE part of the property using different seeds and colouring substance. To each of devas of this mandala, the chants and the offerings mentioned earlier are made. It is also common to make a test pit in the NE in which the first bricks or stones are placed during the bhoomi puja. An effigy of the Vastu Purusha is made in straw and burnt. This is to ward off evil spirits. It is recommended that this ritual be carried out in the morning.
Garbhanyasa
This is a ritual carried out to bring alive the building and its spaces. It is recommended that this ritual to be carried out in the evening or night after the building has been completed and it is ready for occupation.
For the ritual a specific location is picked and a small cavity is dug out into which a box made of copper or silver is placed. It may have nine or twenty-five compartments, which is a mandala form known as Peetha padam (nine). Upapeetha padam (twentyfive). In the compartment facing east, offerings to Surya and Indra are made in silver and gold, in the south to Yama and Simha in iron and gold, in the west to Varuna in silver, in the north to Soma in silver, and similarly to all the other directions. Nine grains, nine gems, minerals and herbs should be placed in a box. The bottom of the cavity or pit should have earth from different places. First place the box and cover it with a wooden lid and then place it in the cavity. The cavity should be filled up with amidst chanting and prayer.
This box or casket is held to be the source of life and movement. By placing it with its offerings to the energies, the building comes alive. Garbha means the womb. Hence this is the womb or life-defining ritual. The ritual may be carried out in the centre or brahmasthana, or in the north, west, east, south or on one side of the central axis (to the right facing from the outside).
Kumbhabhishekam
This ritual is usually carried out for temples. After the temple structure has been completed, and the image of the Divine One placed in the garbhagriha or sanctum, the kalasam or bronze urn is placed on the top of the outer structure. With hold water that has been purified through puja, the kalasam is finally cleansed. It is this final ritual, which marks the completion of a temple and with which it promises that the temple is now ready for the dialogue between the community and the Gods.
Griha Pravesam
In residences, the final action of purifying and making ready the space for occupation is called Griha Pravesham. The planets and devas are propitiated, Vinayaka invoked, the space sprinkled with holy water, and sanctified with the sacred Vedic ritual. After this ceremony, the inhabitants may move into the built space and start their new lives.
With all these rituals, the tradition has helped people understand the intrinsic and extraordinary relationship they share with their physical and spiritual environment.
Top 
|
