Chaturthi is dedicated to Lord Ganesha – whether it’s Vinayaka Chaturthi (Shukla Paksha), Sankashti Chaturthi (Krishna Paksha), or the big Ganesh Chaturthi. The core rules are the same.

Here are the traditional dos and don’ts:

DOs

For Puja:

• Wake up early, take a bath and wear clean clothes – red, yellow, or orange are considered auspicious.
• Keep the place of worship clean. Clean the idol/photo, place it on a red cloth, facing east or north.
• Offer Durva grass (21 blades), modak/laddu, red flowers (especially hibiscus), sandalwood, and vermillion. Ganesha loves Durva.
• Chant Ganesh mantra – Om Gan Ganpataye Namah or Vakratunda Mahakaya at least 108 times.
• Do the fasting with satvik food. Fruits, sabudana, peanuts, milk, curd, and sendha namak if you are observing upvas. Keep your mind calm and positive.
• Read or listen to the Chaturthi Vrat Katha.
• Donate food, clothes, or money to needy people if possible. It’s considered very auspicious on this day.
• Do the visarjan/closure with respect. Sprinkle a little water and Akshat at the end, and ask for forgiveness for any mistake in puja.

For Fasting:

• Keep the fast from sunrise to moonrise (for Sankashti) or sunrise to next day (for Vinayaka).
• Break the fast only after seeing the moon and doing moon puja – for Sankashti Chaturthi.

DON’Ts

The most important one:

• Do NOT look at the moon on Ganesh Chaturthi (Bhadrapada Shukla Chaturthi). It’s called Mithya Dosha or Chauth Chandra – it’s believed to bring false blame/allegations. If you accidentally see it, listen to the Syamantaka Mani story to remove the dosha.

Other don’ts:

• Do not use Tulsi in Ganesha puja. Tulsi is not offered to Ganesha.
• Do not consume onion, garlic, non-veg, alcohol, or tobacco on this day, especially if you are fasting.
• Do not argue, lie, or use harsh words. Keep a brahmacharya and peaceful mindset.
• Do not keep the idol for less than 1.5 days if you have brought Ganpati home. The common durations are 1.5, 3, 5, 7, or 10 days.
• Do not use broken rice, stale flowers, or a broken idol for puja.
• Do not eat after moonrise if you are doing Sankashti fast – do Arghya to the moon first.
• Do not sleep during the day while on vrat, and avoid excessive work.
• For eco-friendly visarjan, do not immerse Plaster of Paris idols in natural water bodies if you have a choice. Use a bucket at home or artificial ponds.

Pleasing Maa Durga is less about grand rituals and more about devotion, purity, and strength of heart. She is Shakti – she responds to sincerity.

Here are the most loved ways to worship her:

1. Purity in thought and space

Keep your home, your altar, and your mind clean. Maa Durga loves cleanliness. Light a diya in the morning and evening, offer fresh flowers – especially red hibiscus and lotus – and keep the space calm and respectful.

2. Fasting and sattvic living

During Navratri and on Tuesdays and Fridays, many devotees keep a vrat. Even if you can’t do a full fast, eat simple, sattvic food, avoid anger, gossip, and harsh words. Self-discipline itself is an offering to her.

3. Mantras and Jaap

Chanting with focus is very powerful.

Beej Mantra: Om Dum Durgayei Namaha – 108 times daily

Sarva Mangala Mangalye: Sarva Mangala Mangalye Shive Sarvartha Sadhike Sharanye Tryambake Gauri Narayani Namostute

Durga Chalisa or Argala Stotram – especially during Navratri . You don’t need to chant loudly. Even silent, heartfelt chanting counts.

4. Offerings she loves

Red chunari, sindoor, bangles, and mehendi – offering shringaar to Maa

Fruits, mishri, kheer, and coconut

Clove and cardamom in paan

Offer with your right hand and with love, not out of fear.

5. Navratri Sadhana

The 9 nights are her most special time. You can:

Do Kalash Sthapana

Read one chapter of Durga Saptashati each day

Meditate on her 9 forms – from Shailputri to Siddhidatri

Even if you do a small daily path for all 9 days without break, she notices consistency.

6. Seva and protecting Shakti

Maa Durga is the protector of dharma. The best way to please her is to:

Respect and support women around you – mother, wife, daughter, colleagues

Help those who are weak or in trouble

Not tolerate injustice quietly

Donate food, clothes, or help in a Devi temple or to a young girl – Kanya Pujan during Navratri is considered very dear to her

7. What to avoid

Avoid ego, cruelty, and using her name for show. She is Jagat Janani – a mother. She doesn’t want perfection, she wants a true heart. Pray like a child talking to his mother, not like asking a transaction.

A simple daily practice you can start tomorrow morning:

Light a diya, offer water and a flower, and say from the heart: “Maa, I am yours. Keep my mind strong and clean.” Do that daily.

Your 10-minute daily puja for Maa Durga

You need: a small photo/murti, a diya (ghee or oil), incense, fresh flower, a small glass of water, roli-kumkum.

1. Shuddhi (1 min) Take bath, wear clean clothes. Sprinkle water on yourself and your puja place and say: Om Apavitrah Pavitro Va…

2. Sankalp (30 sec) Fold hands. Say in your mind: “Maa, I am doing this puja for your happiness and for strength in my family.”

3. Aavahan and Diya (2 min) Light the diya. Light incense. Offer flower at her feet. Put a little roli and rice. Offer water.

4. Jaap (5 min) – the heart of it Close eyes. Do 3 slow breaths. Then chant: Om Dum Durgayei Namaha – 108 times

Use a rudraksha mala if you have one, otherwise count on fingers. Don’t rush. Then once say: Sarva Mangala Mangalye Shive Sarvartha Sadhike Sharanye Tryambake Gauri Narayani Namostute

5. Prarthana (1 min) Talk to her like your own mother. No need for Sanskrit. “Maa, remove fear, give me courage to do what is right.” Do aarti with the diya – just circle it 3 times clockwise in front of her. Sit in silence for 10 seconds. That silence is where she blesses. If you can, do this Brahma muhurat or early morning, and again at sunset just lighting diya.

Puja Vidhi In Navratri  Starting with Ghatasthapana

Day 0 – Pratipada : If you want full puja: clean your altar, place a red cloth, keep a Kalash – a pot with water, mango leaves, coconut on top. If that’s too much, just place a red chunari behind Maa’s photo. Take sankalp to do 9 days without break.

Daily rule for 9 days:

Wake early, no onion-garlic-alcohol if possible

Keep one diya lit morning-evening (Akhand Jyot if you can manage)

Read 1 chapter of Durga Saptashati or at least Durga Chalisa + Argala Stotram

What to worship each day:

Day 1  – Shailputri – Daughter of mountains, strength to begin

Day 2 – Brahmacharini – Tapasya and patience

Day 3 – Chandraghanta – Peace and alertness

Day 4 – Kushmanda – Creator of universe, health

Day 5 – Skandamata – Mother of Skanda, protection for children

Day 6 – Katyayani – Fighter of evil

Day 7 – Kalaratri – Removes fear and negativity

Day 8 – Mahagauri – Purity and forgiveness

Day 9 – Siddhidatri – Gives siddhi and wisdom

Day 10 – Vijayadashami / Dussehra – Victory

Ashtami & Navami special :

Do Kanya Pujan. Invite 2-9 young girls (2-10 years), wash their feet, offer them halwa-puri-chana, bangles, and take their blessing. Maa sees herself in them.

Dussehra :  Do visarjan of Kalash water in a tulsi plant, and distribute prasad. The most important niyam: Do not miss a day in between. Even if you are traveling, do the 10-minute jaap. Continuity matters more than grandeur.

In the Indian tradition, Bharat Mata (Mother India) is a symbolic personification of the nation. Pleasing Bharat Mata is generally understood not through rituals alone, but through sincere service to the country and its people.
Here are meaningful ways to honor Bharat Mata:

1. Serve the nation selflessly through honest work, public service, or volunteering.
2. Follow dharma—be truthful, just, compassionate, and responsible in daily life.
3. Respect the Constitution and laws, while contributing positively to society.
4. Protect nature by planting trees, conserving water, and keeping your surroundings clean.
5. Support education by helping children learn or sharing knowledge with others.
6. Help those in need, regardless of caste, religion, language, or region.
7. Respect India’s diversity, appreciating its many cultures, languages, and traditions.
8. Preserve Indian heritage, including its temples, monuments, arts, literature, and classical knowledge.
9. Work with excellence in your profession, helping India grow through innovation and integrity.
10. Pray for the welfare of the nation and cultivate gratitude for the land that sustains you.
    Many people also express devotion through patriotic songs and prayers such as:
    • “Vande Mataram”
    • “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” (used by many as a patriotic slogan)
    • Daily prayers for the peace, prosperity, and well-being of India and all its people.
    From a spiritual perspective, if you worship deities such as Lord Krishna, Lord Jagannath, or other forms of the Divine, dedicating your prayers, good deeds, and acts of compassion to the welfare of India can also be viewed as a way of honoring Bharat Mata. Ultimately, the greatest offering to Mother India is to become a person of good character who contributes to the country’s well-being through compassion, honesty, and service.

On Nag Panchami – Shravan Shukla Panchami, we worship Nag Devtas as guardians of water, fertility, and family protection, and as dear to Lord Shiva. How to please Nag Devta – Puja Vidhi This is what is traditionally done at hme:

Preparation : Wake up early, take bath, wear clean clothes. Clean your puja room / altar with water or Gangajal. Keep a fast if you can – many eat only once in the evening. Place a red cloth on a wooden chowki and keep an idol or picture of Nag Devta. Idol can be of silver, stone, wood, or clay.

Puja : First bathe the idol with water and raw milk, then with water again.

Offerings: milk mixed with honey, ghee and sugar, turmeric, kumkum / roli, akshat (raw rice), flowers (especially white), incense and ghee diya. Offer sweets and seasonal fruits.

Do Sankalpa – vow that you are performing puja with sincere devotion.

Prayers and Katha : Light diya and agarbatti, fold hands and pray for family welfare. Recite Nag Panchami katha and mantra, then do aarti.

Mantras to recite

The most common mantras:

Sarpa Mantra:

Anantam Vasukim Shesham Padmanabham cha Kambalam
Shankhapalam Dhritarashtram cha Takshakam Kaliyam tatha
Etani nava namani Naganaam cha Mahatmanam
Sayam kale pathennityam pratah kale visheshatah
Tasya vishabhayam nasti sarvatra vijayi bhavet

Meaning – remembering the nine great Nagas removes fear of poison and brings victory.

Sarve Nagaah Mantra:

Sarve Nagaah preeyantam me ye kechit prithvi-tale
Ye cha helimarchi-stha ye cha divi-stha ye antariksha-stha
Ye nadeeshu mahanaga ye saraswati-gaminah
Ye cha vapi-tadageshu teshu sarveshu vai namah

“May the snakes who are in this world, sky, heaven, sun-rays, lakes, wells, ponds etc. bless us and we all salute them.”

Chant at least 108 times or 11 times with devotion.

What pleases them most

Ahimsa: Do not kill or hurt snakes on this day. Respect live snakes, anthills (Nag Bhanda / Varul) where they are believed to live. Don’t dig the earth – tradition says avoid ploughing, digging or cutting trees on Nag Panchami. Feed symbolically: Offer milk to stone/clay idols. If you visit a live Nag temple, don’t force-feed milk – it harms them. Offer flowers and pray from distance.Worship Shiva: Abhishek of Shivling with milk and water, as Nagas are his ornaments. Charity: Offer food, clothes to poor, and avoid iron tawa / fried food if your family tradition says so. After puja, sprinkle some puja milk and flowers near a Tulsi plant or sacred tree, and break your fast after listening to the Katha.

The 72 Names And Their Functions
1- VEHUIAH – If you need a Fresh start in life. Also bestows wisdom
2- JELIEL – Enhances Love, sex and also defends you if you are wrongfully accused
3- SITAEL – General protection from adversities.
4- ELEMIAH – Protects you when you travel. Also works against mental disorders.
5- MAHASIAH – Will help you live in harmony with those around you. Also bestowal of occult knowledge.
6- LELAHEL – To acquire knowledge of healing as well as the arts. Can increase your fortune and fame.
7- ACHAIAH – Bestows Patience and the love of learning
8- CAHETEL – Will call down upon you Divine Blessings against evil.
9- HAZIEL (Aziel) – Divine Mercy and Forgiveness. A very good angel
10- ALADIAH – Bestows good health but also governs anger and rage.
11- LAUVIAH – For the obtainment of Victory in your endeavors.
12- HAHAIAH – Will Help you Against adversity. he will also help you with lucid dreaming. He will also help you discern secrets.
13- YEZALEL – He can help you sustain friendships and mend fences.
14- MEBAHEL – This angel stands for Justice, truth and freedom.
15- HARIEL – Helps one create a Moral purification of the mind
16- HAKAMIAH – Enhances Loyalty and is good to discern disloyalty
17- LAVIAH – This angel is great for prophetic Revelations in dreams. Also a lover of the Arts
18- CALIEL – If you need help quickly this angel works very fast. Especially with legal issues.
19- LEUVIAH – Helps expand the human intellect to new levels, also good for memory and whole brain thinking.
20- PAHALIAH – Good for protection of those who lead the spiritual life. Also keeps spiritual people on track.
21- NELCHAEL – Will help you learn any topic. he is also good for the elimination of curses and evil entities.
22- YEIAYEL – He will bestows fortune, fame and renown to the one using him. Also good for one who wants to start a business.
23- MELAHEL – Has a great healing capacity as well instills courage in a person.
24- HAHEUIAH – General protection
25- NITH-HAIAH -This angel is very powerful and will help you discover Spiritual Wisdom and Magic
26- HAAIAH – For those in politics this angel is very good. He also increases Ambition if that is what you need.
27- YERATEL – He will confuse those who want to harm you. He is a lover of peace and justice.
28- SEHEIAH – Is a protector of health and longevity.
29- REIYEL – Liberation from enemies, both physical and invisible. He is also a defender of spiritual truth.
30- OMAEL -He is very good to dispel depression and impatience. He is also a patron angel of Doctors.
31- LACABEL – Very good for the acquisition of knowledge.
32- VASARIAH – Helps one attracts harmony and mercy into life. Also helps one becomes more articulate.
33- YEHUIAH – Will help you discovers those who are against you.
34- LEHAHIAH – If you have issues with anger, this angel can help you get it under control.
35- CHEVAKIAH – This angel will help you Reconcile with those you may have harmed. He is a promoter of peace.
36- MENADEL – Helps protect your employment and to preserve your livelihood from layoffs and other misfortunes.
37- ANIEL – Inspires philosophical knowledge also makes one deeply knowledgeable in the arts and sciences.
38- HAAMIAH – Will help you gain reward on earth and in heaven. He governs all that relates to the divine.
39- REHAEL – Is a great healer of the sick
40- YEIAZEL – If you are troubled. He will bestow Gods Consolation and Comfort
41- HAHAHEL – If you feel you have a divine Mission, he will help you discern it.
42- MIKHAEL – He is concerned with political affairs. He also protects travelers.
43- VEULIAH – Will protect you from your enemies. He is also a patron of people who are in the military.
44- YELAHIAH – Will help you be successful in all your undertakings.
45- SEHALIAH – He will increase Motivation and willpower
46- ARIEL – He will increase your gratitude for the things you have . He will also bestow great secrets.
47- ASALIAH – A great angel to increase contemplation of the divine.
48- MIHAEL – Great for reuniting couples. Angel of love and fertility as well.
49- VEHUEL – Will help eliminate Sorrow.
50- DANIEL – TO help you obtain the mercy of the divine. Will also help you prevail in legal proceedings. He is also a patron of people in the Legal profession.
51- HAHASIAH – Will help you discern the mysteries of life.
52- IMAMIAH – Patron of prisoners. Will also humble all those who wish to harm you.
53- NANAEL – Will help your Spiritual Communication with the divine and spirit realms. Will also help with meditation.
54- NITHAEL – To obtain God’s mercy and to help you live a long life. Will also help you with writing eloquently.
55- MEBAHIAH – Will help you perform good deeds. Will show you what to do for your soul.
56- POYEL – For general fulfillment of what you desire. Governs fame and fortune.
57- NEMAMIAH – For general prosperity. Also good for people in the military.
58- YEIALEL – Will help improve your mental state. Also good for healing the eyes.
59- HARAHEL – Helps with fertility issues in women. Also helps you calm your disobedient child. Also loves learning and is the patron of authors.
60- MITZRAEL – Good for the remediation of all mental illness.
61- UMABEL – Will help you become more social and make more friends. Great for shy people.
62- IAH-HEL – Great for the acquisition of wisdom and philosophy.
63- ANAUEL – Great for protection while traveling. He also governs business, banking and commerce in general.
64- MEHIEL – Protection from wild animals. Good for those who work as veterinarians or in zoos. Also a patron of professors.
65- DAMABIAH – Helps attract great fortune. Also a wonderful angel against curses and hexes.
66- MANAKEL – If you feel that divine wrath is upon you. This angel will intercede on your behalf. He will also heal various neurological disorders
67- EYAEL – If you seek truth, no matter it be earthly or spiritual, this angel well help you obtain it.
68- HABUHIAH – This angel is a great healers. He also facilitates agriculture and gardening.
69- ROCHEL – Will help you find lost objects.
70- JABAMIAH – THis angel will help you on your spiritual path.
71- HAIYAEL – Divine Warrior and protector. He is good for general protection.
72- MVMIAH – He brings success in all things.

Haldi or turmeric comes from the powdered tubers of the curcuma longa , classified under the zingiberaceae root family . Turmeric is a perennial Asian plant cultivated for its yellow tuberose root . The turmeric plant has narrow leaves one to one and a half feet ( 30 – 45 cm ) long . The pale yellow flowers are borne on spikes four to seven inches ( 10 – 18 cm ) long . The turmeric mala is very useful in performing special prayers overpowering enemies and cures jaundice . The wearer of this mala gets peace of mind and is rid of anxiety , depression , and tensions .The mala is used in baglamukhi sadhna . Baglamukhi ( Mars ) Sadhana The goddess appeared as a result of tapa by lord vishnu to dispel the problems in life of human beings caused because of a great oceanic storm ( swatantra tantra ) . It was on a tuesday and night of chaturdashi . Therefore her sadhana is commenced on either of two days . She is a vaishnavi and the vidhya is known as pitambra vidhya with a seat at datia ( mp ) . All items used in sadhana should be yellow in color.  As per kundika tantra during sadhana , celibacy , sleeping on ground , and purity of mind is essential.  Her sadhak is blessed with victory over enemy in litigation , competition and election , cure from chronic diseases to ward off difficulties and malefic planetary effects and power to control and torture his enemies.  This is useful in all the shatkarma . 1. Dhyan I medidate and salute the goddess who is seated in sudha sagar on a gem studded throne of gold . The dress , attire , ornaments of goddess and environment around is yellowish.  By her left hand she is pulling out the tongue of the devil vera and by her right hand she is beating the devil by club such is two armed goddess pitambra . 2. Mantra .After viniyog , nyas , kavach , & strotra keeping baglamukhi tantra in front following mantra is sanctified by reciting 125000 times over a period of 21 days after 9 pm . om hrim baglamukhi sarvadustanam vacham mukham sthambhaya jihva keelay keelayam buddhi nashay hrim om swaha . Baglamukhi Poojan Bhagvati bagalamukhi is also known by the name of pentambra.  All type of suffering are releaved by the reading of devi kavach and strota . For the rituals performed in respect of baglamukhi devi all item should be of yellow color. After morning bath put a yellow cloth on a wooden plank and put put a photo and yantra of baglamukhi on it . Before starting this ritual you must perform sarvadev worship . Finally you must recite baglamukhi aarti .

1. Aries – Jaggery , parikrama 9 times .
2. Taurus – Misri ( rock sugar ) , parikrama 11 times .
3. Gemini – Raw wheat ear ( hari gehoon kee baalee) , parikrama 7 times .
4. Cancer – Rice or white till , parikrama 28 times 
5. Leo – Dhoop , parikrama 29 times .
6. Virgo – Paan and hari elaichi , parikrama 7 times .
7. Libra – Camphor , parikrama 21 times .
8. Scorpio – Jaggery , parikrama 28 times .
9.Sagittarius – Chana dal , parikrama 23 times 
10. Capricorn – black till( sesame seeds ) , parikrama 15 times .
11. Aquarius – Black mustard seeds , parikrama 25 times .
12. Pisces – Yellow mustard seeds , parikrama 9 times .

As per the narration of sant tulsidas in vinay patrika lord ganesha is very fond of modak or ladoos ( sweetmeats ) .Without ladoos any offering to lord ganesha is incomplete. The word modak is derived from two words mode meaning pleasure even when it is in a small quantity or when one sees it . When tasty sweets are offered to lord ganesha his pleasure in them is reciprocated to the devotee by way of great pleasure and happiness .

Narration in ganpati atharvashirsh whoever offers durva grass to god becomes like kuber , the God of wealth. Whoever offers rice and paddy achieves success and fame . Whoever offers a thousand ladoos to sri ganesh find fulfillment of personal desires .

Lord ganesha is known to be very fond of jaggery .In padampuran there is a story that narrates his love for ladoos .

Lord ganesha is also fond of kapittha jamun fruit on receiving the offerings of these fruits the son of uma , lord ganesha becomes happy and eliminates all kinds of sorrows , shortcomings and hindrances . I pay my respects to the feet of vighneshwar .

According to aachar bhushan lord ganesha likes all flowers except for tulsi the holy basil plant ( ocimum sanctum ) .But on ganesh chaturthi day the white tulsi flowers can be offered .

A shivling is the representation of the divine union of the male and the female energy that leads to the creation of the world. The unique iconography of shivalinga fuses these two principles.

Classification of shivlinga

The lingas are classified into six varieties depending on how they came into existence

1. Daiva lingas are those installed and worshipped by the gods and other celestial beings and thus named after them they continue to exist in the preent day and on earth but their origin is traditionally ascribed to the gods.

2. Asura lingas are those installed by the class of the titans known as asuras and daityas but were pious and jealous devotees of shiva like ravana .

3. Arsha lingas were installed and worshipped by sages of yore like agastya .

4. Purana lingas are those which have been celebrated as installed at the very distinct past by mythical personages .

5. Manusha lingas are those that have been caused to be made by human patrons ( rulers , pious, saints etc ) in hiostorical times .

6. Svayambhu lingas are the forms which shiva assumed to manifest himself . The jyotirlingas and bana lingas belong to this variety .

There is also reckoning oftheir relative merits . The lingas of the divya , purana and svayambhu varities are considered best ( uttama ) , the lingas of the asura and arsha varities are of middling quality ( madhyama ) and the lingas of the manusha variety inferior ( adhama ) .

Another classification is based on how it is made

1. Krutima ( artificial , made by hands ) .

2. Akrutima ( natural bought about bu a natural course of events ) The banalingas belong to the latter group .

3. A further classification has the structural status in focus chala ( mobile ) or jangama and 2 achala ( stationery ) or sthavara .

In the ancient scripture shiv purana the shivalingam is said to be an extension of lord shiva . Shiva is another form of mahesh the third god of hindu triad All people aspire to have a married life like that of shiva and parvati therefore the great emphasis on making offerings to them. The shivalingams are carved in stone’s, precious stones , precious metals etc .

Mercury is known as parad or para in hindi .It is also known as shivdhatu literally shiva’s metal . Religious writers have equated a shivaling made of mercury with shiva .It is said to possess divine qualities.  Whenever a deity is made ceremoniously with a combination of mercury it is said to be very effective.  It is believed that whoever offers prayers to the mercury shivling will be blessed and considered as having offered prayers to the mercury shivling will be blessed and considered as having offered prayers to all shivlings in the universe.

These blessings are equivalent to those from hundreds of ashwamedh yagyas . Giving gold in charity also does not qualify one for as many blessings.  In homes where prayers are offered regularly to mercury shivling all kinds of comforts are available. Success reigns there as shiva resides in these homes . In such places vaastu shortcomings will be overlooked.  Offering prayers every monday to shivaling can also ward off tantrik spells . In shiv mahapuran shiv has said whatever blessings are showered upon you on making offerings to million of different shilings these can be multiplied manifold when you personally offer prayers to the mercury shivling . By a mere touch of the mercury shivling one can achieve salvation.

Shiv purana on keeping mercury/ parad shivling at home and worshipping it

1. Saturn’s I’ll effects are reduced .
2. Rahu the cruel planet gets pacified .
3. Kalsarp yog in horoscope gets eradicated .
4. Physical & mental problems are removed by worshipping .
5. Financial prosperity follows wherever the shivalingam is established.
6. Chant om namaha shivaye for overall prosperity.
7. Chant the maha mritunjaya mantra for removing all health problems this is a very powerful mantra for good health .