Though Lord Krishna or Lord Rama are mostly associated with the celebration of Diwali/Deepavali, it is also an appropriate time to appease Lord Shiva and get his blessings to overcome impending misfortunes. Diwali/Deepavali is a very auspicious time to atone for your sins, rejuvenate the soul and be closer to god.
Om vakratunda mahakaya kotisurya samaprabha
Om sri dakshinamoorthaye namaha
Om hrithpundirikaantha rasinnavishtam swathejasa vapnovakesham
On the holy day of Diwali/Deepavali, it is most fitting to perform Mrityunjaya Pooja and pacify Lord Shiva. As with any ritual in our Hindu tradition, after having a bath, start the pooja process by invoking Lord Ganesha, by chanting the following well-known sloka 3 times :-
Nirvighnam kurume
Then place a suitable clay pot in front of you. The clay pot should be able to withstand high levels of heat. We shall be performing a simple ‘yagnya’ in this pot.
Now place suitable dry wood pieces in the clay pot. Take a little copper pot full of pure ghee and keep it near you. Keep a clean tablespoon ready with you. Then dip the handle of the tablespoon into the ghee pot and pour the drops of ghee into the clay pot while chanting the following mantra 7 times :- Om gum ganapathaye namaha . Drop ghee into the clay pot each time you chant the mantra.
Then pay respect to Lord Agni (Fire God) by pouring 3 drops of ghee while chanting Om agnidevaya namaha each time.
Now light the fire. Pay obeisance to the universal guru by chanting the following mantra 3 times :-
Then chant any sloka of your family deity.
Now we shall start the Mahamrityunjaya Pooja. Invoke the power of Lord Shiva by chanting the following sloka 5 times : -
Atheendhriyum sukshma ananthamandhyam dhyayeth paranandamayum maheshum
Then continue dropping ghee into the fire with the handle of the tablespoon, while chanting the Mahamrityunjaya Mantra given here :- Mahamrityunjaya Mantra
Keep repeating the mantra 108 times while dropping ghee into the fire after each repetition.[You can keep track of the number of repetitions by keeping aside 108 stones or similar items in a little container ,which can be transferred into another container when you finish each chanting]
After the chanting is over, repeat the mantra Om Namah Shivaya as many times as you wish and end the pooja.
This is a simple and easy pooja for anyone to perform with their family for welfare, success, protection and happiness. Om