Details of the Puja

The Yantra 'puja' (adoration) was performed in the Shri Bhidbanjan Mahadev Temple - a Shiva temple, which is located at Colaba (Mumbai, India). The entire Yantra puja is an fairly elaborate ritual, which goes on for over 5 hours.

The 'pandits' (temple priests) place all the Yantras in their groups. Each set of Yantras has a kalash (brass or copper pot filled with sacred water) with a coconut and different fruits, grains and betel leaves in front of it.

All Yantras are then anointed with chandan (sandalwood) paste, sindoor (vermilion) and milk mixed with floral-scented oil. A white flower is also kept on each Yantra, to worship it individually as the Yantra is a deity in its own right.

The ritual begins with 'Abhishek' (the ceremonial bath), worshipping Lord Ganesh. Ganesh holds a unique position in the religious culture of India, a position that has no parallel in any other religion. Any ceremony, ritual, puja or new undertaking has to begin with invoking the power of Ganapati, otherwise it is regarded as futile.

After the Ganesh puja is complete, each God and Goddess of the respective Yantra is worshipped. This is done with the recitation of a Mantra for that particular Yantra. For example,
for the Shree Yantra, the Shree Mantra is recited; for the Gayatri Yantra, the Gayatri Mantra is recited; for the Maha Mrityunjay Yantra, the Maha Mrityunjay Mantra is recited, and so on.

Preparations are then made for the Yagna (sacred fire ritual) to be performed. This is the concluding part of the Yantra puja and goes on for over an hour. Sandalwood, fragrant herbs and pure ghee are used as an offering to the 'Agni' (sacred fire), with the recitation of Mantras.

The Yantras are then energised with the vibrations of the Mantras. The energised Yantras are thus empowered and support and enable the purpose for which they are being used.