Worshiping Guruvayoorappan, a revered form of Lord Krishna, is a sacred ritual for devotees in Hinduism, particularly in Kerala, where the famous Guruvayoor Temple is located. This guide will provide a step-by-step approach to worshiping Guruvayoorappan at home using traditional, eco-friendly methods.
1. Importance of Worshiping Guruvayoorappan
Worshiping Guruvayoorappan is believed to:
- Bring peace and prosperity to the household.
- Help overcome difficulties and challenges.
- Enhance spiritual growth and devotion.
- Provide mental clarity and emotional stability.
- Fulfill desires and remove negative influences.
2. Cleanliness and Preparation
Before starting the puja, personal and surrounding cleanliness is of utmost importance.
- Personal Cleanliness: Take a bath to purify yourself, wear fresh, clean clothes.
- House Cleanliness: Clean the area where the puja will be conducted. Traditionally, puja is performed in the cleanest part of the house, often in a designated prayer room or a specific corner.
3. Time for Worship
- Brahma Muhurta (pre-dawn, around 4:00 AM to 6:00 AM) is considered the most auspicious time for worship, but it can also be performed during Sandhya Kala (early morning, noon, or evening).
- If you cannot perform puja at these times, do it when you feel calm and focused, avoiding inauspicious times like Rahu Kaal or Yama Kaal.
4. Dress Code – Which Color Clothes to Wear
- Men: Traditionally, men wear white dhoti or veshti.
- Women: Women can wear a simple white or light-colored saree or any clean traditional attire like salwar kameez.
- Avoid wearing synthetic clothes; opt for eco-friendly, organic cotton or silk attire.
- It’s best to avoid bright, flashy colors like red or black during the puja.
5. Puja Items Required (Eco-Friendly Products Only)
To honor Guruvayoorappan, use eco-friendly, traditional puja items that do not harm the environment.
- Idol or Picture of Guruvayoorappan (Krishna as a child or Vishnu’s incarnation)
- Brass or Copper Kalash (water-filled for purification)
- Brass or Copper Lamp (deepam) with cotton wicks and ghee
- Organic Incense Sticks made from natural resins
- Flowers like tulsi leaves (sacred to Lord Krishna), jasmine, or lotus (ensure they are pesticide-free)
- Coconut (a symbol of purity)
- Fruits (bananas, mangoes, or any seasonal fruits)
- Betel leaves and nuts for offering
- Puja Plate made of copper or brass
- Natural Kumkum (Vermillion) and Turmeric
- Sandalwood Paste (eco-friendly)
- Organic Rice Grains
- Banana leaves (if needed for prasad serving)
- Prasadam: Payasam, butter, or jaggery-based sweets
6. Simple Steps for Puja (Eco-Friendly Practices)
Step 1: Dhyana (Meditation)
- Sit in front of the idol or picture of Guruvayoorappan.
- Take a few moments to focus on your breath and center your mind.
- Recite the Dhyana Sloka to invite Lord Krishna into your heart:
- “Om Shri Guruvayoorappaya Namaha” (Salutations to Guruvayoorappan)
- "Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya" (Salutations to Lord Vasudeva/Krishna)
Step 2: Lighting the Lamp
- Light the eco-friendly ghee lamp (deepam) in a copper or brass lamp. The lamp symbolizes the removal of darkness and ignorance.
Step 3: Offering Water (Achamana)
- Pour water in the Kalash (brass/copper vessel), offer it to the deity, and sprinkle a few drops on yourself for purification.
Step 4: Offering Flowers and Tulsi
- Offer fresh, pesticide-free flowers and Tulsi leaves (sacred to Krishna) to the deity while chanting mantras:
- “Om Govindaya Namaha” (Salutations to Govinda)
- “Om Madhavaya Namaha” (Salutations to Madhava)
Step 5: Naivedyam (Offering Food)
- Offer eco-friendly prasad made from organic ingredients like Payasam (milk pudding with jaggery), butter, or any homemade sweets.
- Place the food in front of the deity, requesting Lord Krishna to accept it with love.
Step 6: Aarti
- Perform Aarti by waving the lit lamp (clockwise) in front of the idol/picture while chanting:
- “Om Namo Narayanaya”
- “Om Jai Jagadish Hare” (popular aarti in praise of Lord Krishna)
- Use a camphor-free eco-friendly incense for aarti and avoid synthetic perfumes.
Step 7: Mantras and Prayers
Recite the following mantras with devotion:
- Guruvayoorappan Moola Mantra:
- “Om Guruvayoorappaya Namaha” (Salutations to Guruvayoorappan)
- Krishna Mantra:
- “Om Kleem Krishnaya Namaha”
Chant Vishnu Sahasranama or Bhagavad Gita verses, especially Chapter 12 (Bhakti Yoga), to deepen your connection with the divine.
Step 8: Conclusion of Puja
- Offer your final pranams (prostration) to the deity, thanking Guruvayoorappan for his grace and blessings.
- Chant the concluding prayer:
- “Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah, Sarve Santu Niramayah” (May all beings be happy, may all be free of disease)
7. Prasad to Be Prepared
- The most commonly offered prasadam for Guruvayoorappan includes:
- Payasam (rice pudding made with jaggery or sugar)
- Butter (as it is Lord Krishna’s favorite)
- Panakam (a jaggery drink)
- Fruits like bananas and mangoes
Ensure that the ingredients are organic and sourced from eco-friendly practices. Serve the prasad on banana leaves or eco-friendly disposable plates made from biodegradable materials.
8. What to Do with Puja Leftovers (Eco-Friendly Disposal)
- Flowers and Leaves: Collect the leftover flowers, Tulsi leaves, and other biodegradable items, and either compost them or offer them to a nearby tree or garden.
- Prasadam: Share the prasad with family members, neighbors, or even animals. Avoid food wastage.
- Water and Ashes: Pour any leftover water or ashes (from aarti or camphor) around the roots of plants or trees, returning them to nature.
9. Benefits of Worshiping Guruvayoorappan
- Mental Peace: Regular worship of Guruvayoorappan can bring mental clarity, peace, and stability.
- Divine Protection: Devotees believe that worshiping Lord Krishna provides divine protection and removes negative energies.
- Spiritual Progress: It deepens one's connection with the divine and aids in spiritual growth.
- Prosperity and Success: The blessings of Guruvayoorappan are said to bring prosperity, success, and fulfillment in life.
This traditional and eco-friendly method of worship not only honors Guruvayoorappan but also helps in preserving the environment. Always remember, devotion from the heart matters more than the scale of the ritual.