WRITTEN BY LONDON SWAMINATHAN

Post No. 12,185

Date uploaded in London – –  25 June , 2023                  

Contact – swami_48@yahoo.com

Pictures are taken from various sources for spreading knowledge.

this is a non- commercial blog. Thanks for your great pictures.

tamilandvedas.com, swamiindology.blogspot.com

https://www.pustaka.co.in/home/author/london-swaminathan

Xxx

 Maha Ganapathi Homam

(This post is written to help Hindu Priests outside India; written by London Swaminathan)

Hindus are Fire Worshippers from Vedic days until today. They have been doing it for thousands of years. Politicians organise huge Yajnas and Yagas for their benefit and people’s general welfare. Every week we see newspaper stories to this effect. In Chennai Sknadashram opened by Sri Shanthanantha, huge homam is done every day. Several Mutts from Kashmir to Kanyakumari also do this more often.

What is a Fire Sacrifice?

Giving back to God what He has given us as a token of saying thanks is Yaga. When they do it, they recite the mantra ‘Idam na Mama’; the meaning is ‘It is not mine’. This leads slowly to detachment.

Hindus believe in Dharma, Artha, Kama, Moksha. The meaning is Enjoy all in the life, but between the framework of  Dharma and Moksha.

Artha/wealth and Kama/pleasure are sandwiched between Dharma/Good deeds and Moksha/ultimate liberation.

Ultimate liberation means getting out of the Birth and Death Cycle. Only Hindus can understand it. Because they believe in rebirth.

Though Parsees do Fire Worship, it is not as elaborate as Hindus. Moreover the dwindling population can do it only symbolically in modern time.

xxx

How many Homas are there?

In one of his lectures, Kanchi Paramacharya (1894-1994) said that there are over 400 Yajnas (Fire Ceremonies). No one has listed all the 400 Yagas. Let us look at some important and essential  Homas.

xxx

Ganapati Homam

Ganapati, who is also called Ganesh, Vinayaka, Pillayar in Tamil is the God who removes hurdles and difficulties. So anyone who is starting a business, or Graha Pravesa/occupying a new house (for rent or own), or on a new good and auspicious thing, does this Havan/Homam first. Without worshipping him, Hindus never do anything. His idols are found in India and all countries of South East Asia. In countries like Japan, he is worshipped with different name. He is found even in Italy with the name Janus.

All Vedic ceremonies start with his Mantra “Ganaanam twaa ganapathihm Havaamahe”. That shows his origin in the Vedas.

It is a simple homam which won’t take much time. With all the preparations, it can be finished within an hour. Temple priests in London and other European cities are well versed  in it.

There are two types : Taantrikam and Vaidikam

Let us look at common Vaidikam.

What we need is Modakam as Prasad; different communities use different flour to make it, but coconut mixed with jaggery is stuffed inside.

In the homam, the priest will put coconut, a few modakam, jaggery etc. in the fire.

Normally Ashta Dravya (Eight Things) are offered in the fire:

Modakam (in Tamil Kozukkattai), Aval/Poha/ Flattened rice flakes, Pori (Fried rice/paddy), Sugarcane bits, Copra/Coconut, Sesame seeds, Banana pieces. Flour with sugar (Saththu Maavu in Tamil).

In addition Dhurva grass (In Tamil Arukam Pul) is also offered in fire.

We need fire sticks (Samith), Ghee (clarified Butter) for burning the offered things.

Flowers, Coconuts, Fruits, Kunmum/vermillion powder, Chandan/sandal, Vibhuti/holy ash, Incense sticks, Lamps with oil and wick, plates, metal pots (Kumbha, Kalasa) ,fresh coconuts, mango leaves, Turmeric, Payasam/sweet liquid, Sugar candy, nuts and dry fruits , metal plates, Bell are needed for all Pujas. South Indians add Betel leaves and Betel nuts (Paan/Supaari) , in the plate. Banana leaves if available.

Priests will ask for some rice, paddy and turmeric powder.

Turmeric powder is used to make Ganesh, just one inch high.

Most of the times priests bring the Havan Vessel (Homa Gundam). But it is better to keep Foil paper, some sand or bricks to use as base for the Havan Vessel. It will keep the floor safe.

In places where the Fire Alarm cannot be switched off, priest will do simple fire ceremony symbolically with Dharba grass.

Better talk to the priest in advance about the preparations.

–subham—-

Tags- Homam guide, Ganapathi Homam, Havan, Yaga, Yajna