What is a Navagraha pūjā, and when should we do one?

it honours all nine grahas together; families do it before big beginnings, in difficult periods, or as part of a havan.

In a Navagraha pūjā the nine grahas are invoked on a maṇḍala or on nine small heaps of grain, each with its own colour, grain, flower and mantra, and offered worship — often followed by a homa with the traditional samidh (sacred wood) for each planet. Most temples in South India also have a Navagraha shrine where people simply walk around and pray.

It is commonly done before a wedding, gṛha-praveśa or other saṁskāras, at the start of a difficult daśā or Sāḍhe-sātī, or when an astrologer suggests general planetary peace. Because it honours all nine, it is a balanced choice when you are unsure which planet is “the problem”.

It need not be grand. A modest pūjā with a family priest, or even nine lamps and the Navagraha stotra at home, is sincere and enough.

Source: Gṛhya ritual tradition (graha-yajña); Yājñavalkya Smṛti · Nine grains, nine colours, nine samidhs

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