Shiv Pooja & Shakti Pooja

The complete worship of Bhagavan Shiva, centred on the abhisheka of the Shivalinga.

1. Abhisheka with Namakam & ChamakamThe Rudra abhisheka with the Namakam and Chamakam (Shri Rudram) of the Krishna Yajurveda, chanted while water and the other dravyas are offered on the Shivalinga.
2. Purva PoojanThe preparatory worship before the abhisheka — achamana, pranayama, sankalpa, Ganapati smarana and the kalasha pooja.
3. Uttara PoojanThe worship that completes the rite after the abhisheka — alankara, naivedya, aarti, pushpanjali, pradakshina and kshama-prarthana.
4. ArchanaOffering bilva leaves and flowers while reciting the names of Bhagavan Shiva.
5. Stotra, Stuti & PathRecitation of Shiva stotras and stutis with correct pronunciation, and where each one belongs in the pooja.

The worship of the Devi — Shakti — taught in the same traditional order.

1. Abhisheka with Shri SuktamThe abhisheka of the Devi with the Shri Suktam, the hymn to Shri from the khila (supplementary) hymns of the Rigveda.
2. Purva & Uttara PoojanThe opening and closing worship of the Devi, which includes the Shodashopachara Pooja — the sixteen traditional offerings (upacharas), beginning with avahana, the invocation.
3. Vishesha PoojaThe special (vishesha) worship of the Devi.
4. ArchanaArchana with the names of the Devi, offering kumkum and flowers.
5. Devi Stotra & StutiStotras and stutis of the Devi, learnt with their correct pronunciation and their place in the pooja.