Night prayer in Hinduism is an integral part of daily devotion. It is a time to wind down, connect spiritually, and express gratitude to the divine. In this guide, we will go over the steps, required items, and best practices to perform a night puja while adhering to eco-friendly and traditional Hindu values.
1. Cleanliness & Preparation
Physical and Spiritual Cleanliness:
- Before beginning the prayer, bathe or wash your face, hands, and feet to maintain cleanliness and purity.
- Wear clean, fresh clothes, ideally in light, soothing colors like white, yellow, or soft pastels, as they promote calmness and peace.
- Clean the puja space (home altar) using eco-friendly cleaning products such as a wet cloth soaked in water mixed with turmeric or neem water, which are both purifying and environmentally friendly.
2. Time for Night Puja (Sandhya Puja)
Night puja is generally performed between 7 PM to 10 PM, ideally after dinner but before retiring for the night. The specific time may vary based on family traditions or auspicious times (muhurat) as per the Hindu calendar.
3. Gods and Goddesses to Worship
During night prayers, you can offer prayers to various deities, depending on your personal preferences and traditions. Common deities for night pujas include:
- Vishnu – the preserver of the universe
- Lakshmi – goddess of prosperity and peace
- Shiva – for inner calm and wisdom
- Durga or Kali – for protection and removal of fears
- Saraswati – for wisdom and clarity
Alternatively, some may choose to offer prayers to their Ishta Devata (personal deity), family deity, or even invoke the Navagrahas (nine planetary deities) for general well-being.
4. Puja Items Required (Eco-Friendly)
Ensure all puja items are biodegradable and sustainable:
- Clay diyas (small oil lamps made from earth-friendly clay)
- Eco-friendly incense sticks (made from natural herbs and wood)
- Organic camphor (for aarti)
- Natural flowers (use fresh or dried flowers like marigold, rose petals)
- Holy water (from a river like the Ganga, or plain clean water)
- Eco-friendly kumkum (red powder), turmeric, and sandalwood paste
- Fresh fruits, homemade sweets, and organic nuts for prasad
- Cotton wicks and pure ghee for lighting the diyas
- Bell and conch shell (for invoking the deities)
- Beeswax candles or natural oils for lighting
5. Simple Steps for Night Puja
1. Prepare the Space
- Clean the altar and arrange the idols or images of the gods you wish to worship.
- Light a ghee lamp or a clay diya using cotton wicks soaked in pure ghee.
2. Invoke the Gods (Dhyana)
- Sit comfortably, close your eyes, and meditate for a few minutes. Visualize the deity you are praying to.
- Chant an invocation mantra like:
"Om Gan Ganapataye Namah" (for Ganesha) or "Om Namo Narayanaya" (for Vishnu).
3. Offerings (Upachara)
- Offer the items one by one:
- Sprinkle holy water using a flower or spoon.
- Offer fresh flowers, sandalwood paste, kumkum, and turmeric powder to the deity.
- Light incense sticks and wave them before the idol in a clockwise direction.
- Offer fruits, nuts, and sweets as prasad to the deity. You can make simple prasad like panchamrit (mixture of milk, yogurt, honey, ghee, and sugar).
4. Lighting the Aarti Lamp
- Light the camphor for aarti (waving of light) while chanting the Aarti mantra like "Om Jai Jagdish Hare" or "Om Jai Lakshmi Mata."
- Move the lamp clockwise in front of the deity while ringing a small bell.
5. Prayers and Mantras
- Recite simple prayers or mantras for the deity you are worshiping.
- For Vishnu: "Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya"
- For Lakshmi: "Om Shreem Mahalakshmiyei Namah"
- For Shiva: "Om Namah Shivaya"
6. Meditation and Conclusion
- Conclude by sitting in silence for a few moments, meditating on the deity.
- Thank the deities for their blessings, and bow down in reverence.
- Distribute the prasad among family members.
6. Prasad to Prepare
The prasad can be simple and eco-friendly, such as:
- Panchamrit: A blend of yogurt, honey, milk, sugar, and ghee.
- Fruits: Seasonal fruits like bananas, apples, or any available fresh fruits.
- Sweets: Homemade sweets like modak, kheer (rice pudding), or ladoo made from organic ingredients.
7. How to Conclude the Puja
- Offer a final prayer of gratitude: "Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah" (May all beings be happy).
- Perform Shanti Path for peace:
"Om Shanti Shanti Shanti" (May peace prevail everywhere). - Bow down to the deity and touch the ground with your hands as a gesture of respect.
- Blow the conch (shankh) if possible.
8. Importance and Benefits of Night Prayer
- Mental Peace: Night prayers help in calming the mind after a long day, allowing for inner peace and restful sleep.
- Spiritual Growth: Connecting with the divine before bed fosters spiritual growth and strengthens your faith.
- Gratitude: Offering prayers at night is a way to express gratitude for the day's blessings.
- Balance and Harmony: The regular practice of night puja helps in balancing emotions, improving focus, and enhancing well-being.
9. Eco-Friendly Disposal of Puja Items
- Flowers and Organic Offerings: Collect used flowers, turmeric, and sandalwood paste and compost them. If possible, immerse them in a nearby garden or use them as natural fertilizers.
- Ashes and Diyas: The ashes from incense and diyas can also be added to the soil in plants.
- Cloth and Wicks: If using cotton wicks, ensure they are biodegradable, and any leftover ghee can be reused or offered to plants.
- Prasad: Distribute prasad to family members, neighbors, or even birds and animals. Do not waste any offerings.
Performing night puja in Hinduism is a peaceful and spiritually uplifting practice. By keeping the process simple, environmentally conscious, and traditional, you can deepen your connection with the divine while also caring for the Earth. By embracing eco-friendly puja products and practices, you honor not only the deities but also the natural world, reflecting the holistic principles of Hinduism.