Varaha is the third avatar of Lord Vishnu, who took the form of a boar to rescue the Earth from the demon Hiranyaksha. Worshipping Lord Varaha is believed to remove negative energies, restore balance, and grant strength and protection. Here's a step-by-step guide for performing an eco-friendly Varaha puja.
Preparation & Cleanliness
Personal Cleanliness:
- Take a bath and wear fresh, clean clothes before starting the puja.
- Practice internal purity by cultivating a calm, peaceful mindset.
Altar Cleanliness:
- Clean the area where the puja will take place. Ensure that the place is well-ventilated and neat.
- Avoid using plastic or synthetic items. Use clay, brass, or copper utensils for the rituals.
Time for Worship:
- Early morning or evening is considered auspicious for performing Varaha Puja.
- Thursdays and Varaha Jayanti (Bhadrpad Shukla Dwadashi) are ideal days for Varaha worship.
What to Wear
- Wear clothes in yellow, white, or light green as these colors are considered auspicious for Vishnu-related worship.
- Avoid synthetic fabrics; wear cotton or other natural, eco-friendly fabrics.
Puja Items Required (Eco-Friendly)
- Idol or Picture of Lord Varaha – Preferably clay or brass idols.
- Diyas (Lamps) – Use clay lamps with ghee (clarified butter) or sesame oil.
- Flowers – Choose eco-friendly and locally sourced flowers like marigold, jasmine, or lotus. Avoid plastic flowers.
- Incense Sticks (Agarbatti) – Use natural, organic incense.
- Tulsi Leaves (Holy Basil) – An essential offering for Vishnu-related pujas.
- Fruits & Prasad – Locally sourced fruits and sweets like laddoo or kheer, made at home.
- Panchamrit – A mixture of milk, yogurt, honey, ghee, and sugar, served in a copper or clay bowl.
- Water in Copper Kalash – Water for purification and offering.
- Coconut – Eco-friendly, whole coconut for the offering.
- Sandalwood Paste and Kumkum – Avoid synthetic powders, use natural ones.
- Betel Leaves and Nuts – As a traditional offering.
- Akshat (Unbroken Rice Grains) – Prefer organic rice grains.
- Camphor – Use natural camphor for aarti.
Simple Steps of the Puja
Purification & Sankalp (Resolution):
- Begin by sprinkling water on yourself and the altar for purification.
- Make a vow (Sankalp) by praying to Lord Varaha for specific intentions such as prosperity, protection, and removal of obstacles.
Lighting the Lamp and Incense:
- Light the ghee lamp (diya) and incense. Symbolically, this is to invoke the divine and dispel darkness and negativity.
Invocation (Dhyana):
- Close your eyes and meditate upon the image of Lord Varaha, visualizing his boar form holding the Earth in his tusks. Chant the Varaha Gayatri Mantra:
Om Varahaya Vidmahe Yajnadantaya Dhimahi Tanno Varaha Prachodayat- You can also chant “Om Namo Bhagavate Varahaya” 108 times using a tulsi mala.
Offering of Flowers and Tulsi:
- Offer fresh flowers and Tulsi leaves at the feet of the Varaha idol or picture.
- Recite the following prayer:
Om Namah Varahaya Prithivya Udhdhartre NamahThis acknowledges Lord Varaha’s act of lifting the Earth.
Offering of Prasad:
- Offer fruits, kheer (rice pudding), or any homemade sweets. Include a simple offering of coconut and betel leaves.
- Keep the prasad on a banana leaf or biodegradable plate, avoiding plastic or synthetic materials.
Aarti (Waving of Light):
- Perform aarti with a ghee lamp or camphor while singing the Varaha Aarti or Vishnu Aarti.
- Move the aarti in a clockwise motion while ringing a bell.
Offering Panchamrit:
- Offer Panchamrit to the deity, symbolizing purity and sanctity. After the puja, distribute the Panchamrit as prasad among the devotees.
Mantras & Prayers
Varaha Gayatri Mantra:
Om Varahaya Vidmahe Yajnadantaya Dhimahi Tanno Varaha PrachodayatVaraha Kavach Mantra for Protection:
Om Varahaya Kavacham Patu Mastakam Yajnadantaya Patu Netram, Karnaam Shrutighaatanah Hraam Krooray Shakuni Patu Shikhayaa Sharvadanavat
Concluding the Puja
Thanksgiving:
- Thank Lord Varaha for his blessings, protection, and guidance.
- Pray for peace, prosperity, and the well-being of the planet.
Distributing Prasad:
- Distribute the prasad among family members, friends, or devotees.
- Ensure that the prasad is shared with others in an eco-friendly way, using leaf plates or reusable containers.
What to Do with the Puja Leftover Items?
Flowers and Tulsi Leaves:
- Offer these to plants or place them under trees to decompose naturally, ensuring they return to the earth in a respectful manner.
Water from Kalash:
- The water used during the puja should be poured at the base of a sacred tree, such as a Tulsi or Peepal tree.
Puja Ash or Camphor Residue:
- Ashes from the aarti or burnt camphor can be sprinkled in your garden as it is considered purifying and beneficial for plants.
Clay Diya or Idols:
- Once the diya is used, it can be cleaned and reused. If you are using a clay idol, immerse it in water naturally, allowing it to dissolve.
Importance & Benefits of Varaha Puja
Restoration of Balance: Lord Varaha symbolizes the protection of the Earth and restoration of balance in nature. Worshipping him reminds us to respect and care for the environment.
Removal of Obstacles: Devotees believe that Lord Varaha grants them the strength to overcome obstacles and hardships in life.
Spiritual Protection: Regular worship of Varaha protects devotees from negative energies and promotes physical and mental well-being.
Environmental Consciousness: The eco-friendly worship approach aligns with the essence of Lord Varaha’s protection of the Earth.
By following this simple, eco-friendly Varaha Puja, devotees honor the deity while contributing positively to the environment. The balance between spiritual practice and ecological responsibility reflects the core values of Hinduism, showing reverence for both the divine and the planet.