What is Nav Grah Shanti Pooja and its Importance in the Indian Wedding Rituals
Here's a complete guide on the ritual of Nav Grah Shanti Pooja and preparing for it. Take a look!
A marriage in India is considered as a union between the two families and not just the couple. It involves many rituals which span over several days. Although the pre-wedding ceremonies vary from community to community, there are a few staples like a Grah Shanti pooja, which are considered mandatory and sacred to be performed before the celebrations begin. Even the Ambani family hosted a major Grah Shanti Puja Vidhi for Radhika and Anant Ambani to commence their week-long wedding festivities. We have compiled a complete guide of what, how and who of the Grah Shanti Puja along with our expert guide on OOTD that the bride-to-be can wear for the ceremony. Read till the end to know more.
In this article:
- What is Grah Shanti Pooja?
- When is it performed?
- How is Grah Shanti Pooja performed?
- Grah Shanti Pooja Mantra
- Benefits of Performing Grah Shanti Pooja Before the Wedding
- What to wear to Grah Shanti Pooja?
What is Grah Shanti Pooja?
It is a pre-wedding ritual which is performed to remove all the obstacles and bring happiness and prosperity into the lives of the couple. As it is believed that the stars and the planets have a great influence on our lives, this pooja is performed to ensure that the Navagrah or 9 planets are aligned for both the bride and the groom in order to live a happy life together. Like the name suggests, Grah means the house and Shanti means peace, thus it means the peace of the house.
When is it Performed?
Wedding Photography: The Wedding Salad
Grah Shanti pooja is the final step taken by the bride and the groom before they enter married life. That’s why it is performed a day or two before the wedding ceremony. It is also a way of beginning the festivities officially with the blessings of the Almighty. In Hinduism, it is considered very important that all the gods and goddesses attend the marriage ceremony to bless the couple. That’s why they are invited to this pooja to give the celebration an auspicious start. Also, the ancestors and the forefathers of the bride and groom are invited.
How is Grah Shanti Pooja Performed?
The ceremony is performed with the bride and the groom separated into their respective houses with their families. It is done this way to get rid of individual doshas that either of them may possess. Learned priests perform the pooja at both locations. As Lord Ganesha is considered to be the remover of all the obstacles, he is invoked during this ceremony. The venues are adorned with icons, flowers, and other elaborate decorations. Close friends and family are also invited to bless the couple.
Grah Shanti Pooja Mantra
Since Grah Shanti Puja is all about impressing all the nine planets and the stars, the Mantras of Grah shanti puja Vidhi in Hindi also consist of individual shlokas written individually for each of the planets. Here's how on Grah shanti puja Muhurat, the mantras are recited by the pundits and guests to please the planets:
Surya Mantra
ॐ ह्रीं ह्रौं सूर्याय नमः || Om Hring Hraung Suryay Namah ||
Chandra Mantra
ॐ ऐं क्लीं सोमाय नमः || Om Aing Kling Somay Namah ||
Mangal Mantra
ॐ हूं श्रीं भौमाय नमः || Om Hung Shring Bhaumay Namah ||
Budh Mantra
ॐ ऐं श्रीं श्रीं बुधाय नमः ।। Om Aing Shring Shring Budhay Namah ||
Guru Mantra
ॐ ह्रीं क्लीं हूं बृहस्पतये नमः ।। Om Hring Cling hung Brihsptye Namah ||
Shukra Mantra
ऊँ ह्रीं श्रीं शुक्राय नम: Om Hring Shring Shukray Namah ||
Shani Mantra
ॐ ऐं ह्रीं श्रीं शनैश्चराय नमः || Om Aing Hring Shring Shanaishchray Namah||
Rahu Mantra
ॐ ऐं ह्रीं राहवे नमः || Om Aing Hring Rahave Namah||
Ketu Mantra
ॐ ह्रीं ऐं केतवे नमः|| Om Hring Aing Ketave Namah ||
Benefits of Performing Grah Shanti Pooja Before the Wedding
- It helps to get rid of all the negative energies of the person doing the pooja.
- It helps to purify the surroundings with holy vibes and also bestows the house with peace and prosperity.
- It helps to remove all the obstacles that may come in the life of the couple and gives them protection from evil eyes.
- Another benefit of this pooja is to ensure that there is no negative effect on your spouse’s planets on you.
What to Wear for the Pooja?
You may plan on wearing a ball gown for the Sangeet ceremony or Indo-western outfits for the cocktail evening, but for traditional ceremonies such as the Grah shanti Puja before the wedding, always opt for something traditional. There is no hard and fast rule as to what kind of traditional outfits one should wear, but we have shortlisted some of the cosiest outfits that will be comfortable to wear and sit in throughout the course of the Puja. And while you are at it, don't forget to bring a dupatta and cover your head with it during the prayer ceremony.
Intricate Vintage Lehenga Set
Image Source: Delhi Vintage Co.'s Instagram
If you are feeling more festive and would love to adorn a statement dress for the Nav Grah Shanti Puja, then take a cue from Isha Ambani's look at Grah Shanti Puja for her younger brother Anant Ambani's pre-wedding celebrations. A lehenga by Delhi Vintage Company with pure Zardosi work and old antique coins embellished all over, this lehenga made many heads turn for its exquisite look, a product of 4000 man hours!
Radhika Merchant's Off-White Saree
Image Source: ambani_update's Instagram
Keep it simple as Radhika Merchant Ambani did for her and Anant Ambani's Nav Grah Puja and Havan. She chose an off-white simple saree with Golden border and motifs in paisleys all over. The six-yard was paired with a contrasting pink blouse with gold thread work and she draped the Pallu a traditional Maharashtrian style for the ceremony.
Silk Saree and Cotton Sherwani
Image Source: Kiara Advani's Instagram
The bride and the groom can match their Nav Grah Shanti Pooja traditional ensembles in pastel hues. The bride can adorn a beautiful silk saree with a zari borderline, delicately embellished cap-sleeves blouse and a matching Potli. The groom can match her colourful attire with a simple off-white cotton Sherwani with regal zari embellishments on the sleeves and the dupatta.
Banarasi Saree Lehenga
Image Source: Janhvi Kapoor's Instagram
The most comfortable silhouette that a bride-to-be can adorn for the Nav Grah Shanti Pooja is a saree lehenga complete with a Jadau embedded waist belt, a choker necklace and cocktail earrings. Keeping the hairstyle simple with an open hair hairstyle styled with natural flowers.
Red Anarkali Suit
Image Source: Sarah Ali Khan's Instagram
If the goal is to wear something minimal, something absolutely simple, then a floor-length Anarkali suit can be the ideal dress code for the bride-to-be. Add glass bangles, a diamond necklace with stud earrings and a Bindi to complete this sublime look.
Gharchola Saree
Image Source: Sonam Kapoor's Instagram
For the love of Banarasi ilk and the Indian dyeing technique of Bandhani, you can opt for a soft Gharchola saree and drape it in the Gujarati style for the ceremony. Keep your hair open and decorate with a Gajra or a small bouquet of fresh flowers along with delicate Zardozi in tribal silver jewellery.
Simple Yellow Saree with Red Blouse
Wedding Photography: Wedlock Productions
In Hindu weddings, the colour yellow is considered auspicious and a symbol of prosperity, purity and a protector from the evil eye. The bride-to-be can opt for a simple yellow saree with a red blouse and a hint of embroidery or embellishments to suit the simplicity and divinity of the Puja tradition.
Simple Printed Lehenga Set
Wedding Photography: Shubham Hanumante Photography
If draping and carrying a saree seems too much of a task, then a simple sleeveless printed lehenga is your answer to comfortable yet traditional attire for the ceremony. Pick a vibrant colour and match it with a stack of bangles and Kundan jewellery to complete the look.
Kanjeevaram Silk Saree
Wedding Photography: Watermark Studios
Nothing beats a centuries-old Kanjeevaram silk saree when it comes to adorning traditional Indian attire for the Nav Grah Shanti Pooja. Drape it with lots of pleats and a matching silk blouse with a golden border and don't forget to complete the look with a Gajra and traditional pure gold jewellery.
Two traditional rules to remember for this ceremony are that one shouldn't wear pure black or plain white attire and that no leather footwear or accessories should be worn that day.
So this is all about Grah Shanti pooja. More than anything the most important part is to pray and pray with all your heart. We can’t agree enough that prayers have the power to move mountains.
Also Read:
1. The Complete Puja Samagri Guide
2. The Significance of Ganesh Puja Before the Wedding
