Vishnu-Lakshmi Pooja On Akshaya Tritiya

Lord Vishnu is associated with Akshaya Tritiya (Read About It Here : Akshaya Tritiya- Legends Of Origin) in most regions , and it is believed that Lord Vishnu fulfills his devotees desires on this holy day. Also, Devi Mahalakshmi is Lord Vishnu's consort and is said to bestow her devotees with unbound prosperity and wealth when prayed to on Akshaya Tritiya. Even Lord Kubera is said to pray to Devi Mahalakshmi on the auspicious day of Akshaya Tritiya. The following is a very simple pooja that can be performed to get the blessings of Lord Vishnu and Devi Mahalakshmi.

Light a lamp in front of A photo or idol of Lord Vishnu and Devi Mahalakshmi, and place the lamp on a plate. Then, take a bowl/glass of water and put 5 Tulsi (ocimum sanctum) leaves in the water. Now, cover the mouth of the bowl/glass with the palm of your right hand. Keep your left hand on top of your right hand, and chant the following mantras 9 times :

om namo vasudevaya namah      ॐ नमो वासुदेवाय नमः 

 om namo vishnudevaya namah    ॐ नमो विष्णुदेवाय नमः 

 om shree shree lakshmi deviye namah    ॐ श्री श्री लक्ष्मिदेविये नमः 

Then take the bowl/glass of water and slowly pour it on the base of the lamp while chanting :

  om namo bhagawathe vasudevaya     ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय 

Now take a fistful of rice and place it in a bowl. Now take few grains of rice with the ring finger and thumb of your right hand. Then chant the following mantra :

om shree lakshmisametha narayana namah      ॐ श्री लक्ष्मिसमेता नारायणा नमः 

Then shower the base of the lamp with the rice in your right hand. Repeat this ritual until all the rice in the bowl is over. After that, shower the photo of Lord Vishnu and Devi Mahalakshmi with flowers while chanting : 

om namo narayanaya.     ॐ नमो नारायणाय 

Then light some camphor and pray sincerely to God that this Akshaya Tritiya should bring your family happiness and success. Then take the rice from the plate below the lamp, and cook it. This cooked rice should be distributed as prasad among the family members.

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Ganesha Pooja On Akshaya Tritiya

Akshaya Tritiya (24th April in 2012) is a once in a year opportunity to easily atone for your sins and get rid of your miseries. This post is about a simple yet powerful ritual to please Lord Ganesha , that can be performed to bring success in your businesses. Of course you must also bear in mind that no single day or ritual will make any change in your life unless you show true devotion to God. Moreover, Akshaya Tritiya is a chance to atone for all your sins by undertaking suitable charitable work. Please do think about your fellow brothers and sisters, and help them in any way possible.

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In the morning of Akshaya Tritiya, while taking bath, chant  narayana नारायणा as you pour water on yourself. It is also advisable to perform the poojas with all family members since the collective devotion will bring more sincerity.

GANESHA POOJA

Light a lamp in front of a photo of Lord Ganesha. Take a few bananas and keep them on a plate beside the lamp. Now place a bowl of water beside the plate. Take some water in your right palm, and revolve your hand thrice around the plate of bananas, while chanting the following : 

om gum ganapathaye namah.        ॐ गं गणपथये नमः 

Now peel the top half of the bananas and place your right hand over the bananas, without touching them, and chant the following mantra 11 times :

om ganeshaya samarpayami   ॐ गणेशाय समर्पयामि 

om lambhodaraya samarpayami   ॐ लम्बोदराय समर्पयामि 

om vighnavinashakaya samarpayami    ॐ विग्नविनाशकाय समर्पयामि 

Now wash your palm with water. Then shower the base of the lamp with flowers while chanting
                            om namo raja ganapathaye namah      ॐ नमो राज गणपथाये नमः 

Then light some camphor and distribute the bananas among your family members. Thank Lord Ganesha from your heart and ask for his infinite grace to make your Akshaya Tritiya a wonderful step to success.

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Akshaya Tritiya : Legends Of Origin and Benefits

Akshaya Tritiya has many legends that are related to it's origin. But all of them suggest that it is an auspicious day of great significance. It is believed that Akshaya Tritiya is most appropriate for starting anything new, whether it is a business, an investment, studying a new art, or ploughing a farm. Donations/Charitable work are considered to be most beneficial when performed on Akshaya Tritiya. [Check out this previous post to know more about donations : Specific Benefits Of Different Donations]

Some people believe that Akshaya Tritiya is the day that Lord Vishnu took the avatar of Lord Parashurama. It is also believed that the Treta Yuga started on Akshaya Tritiya, and it is also celebrated for this reason. There is also a belief that the Pandavas received the 'Akshaya Patra' on this day.

One legend associated with Akshaya Tritiya is the famous story of Sudama / Kuchela. Kuchela / Sudama was Lord Krishna's childhood friend, and was very poor. When his poverty reached it's brink, Kuchela decided to go meet his old friend Krishna and ask for some help. As a gift for Lord Krishna, Kuchela took a pouch of 'flattened rice' (avil / poha) with him. Upon reaching the palace of Lord Krishna, Kuchela hid the pouch out of embarrassment , since he felt that it was insignificant when compared to the riches which Lord Krishna had. Lord Krishna was delighted to see Kuchela and embraced him lovingly. Lord Krishna cunningly found the pouch of flattened rice and happily ate it. Kuchela's heart was filled with happiness and he left Lord Krishna's palace to go home. Upon reaching the his house, Kuchela was amazed on seeing that his house had transformed into a magnificent palace. His wife and children came running towards him, and they were now wearing dresses made of the finest silk. There were hundreds of cows behind the palace, in a beautiful cow shed. Kuchela realized that this magical transformation was due to the blessings of Lord Krishna, and he thanked him with his whole heart. It is said that this incident took place on the holy day of Akshaya Tritiya. Thus it is believed that when devotees pray to Lord Krishna on this day with devotion, he will bless his devotees with prosperity and wealth.

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Another legend which 'some people' relate to Akshaya Tritiya is about the Kanakadhara Stotra . Once Adi Shankaracharya went to a house for alms. There was only one lady in the house and she was very poor and didn't have any food in the house to give Adi Shankaracharya. She frantically searched the house and found a gooseberry(amla/nellikai). She went and gave the gooseberry to Adi Shankaracharya. Adi Shankaracharya was greatly pleased at the woman's willingness to donate the only piece of food she had, and he wished to make her life happier. Adi Shankaracharya immediately recited the Kanakadhara Stotra and invoked Devi Mahalakshmi. Devi Mahalakshmi was greatly pleased and showered the lady's house with golden gooseberries. This incident is said to have happened on Akshaya Tritiya.

It is thus said that even little acts of charity / donation performed on Akshaya Tritiya will bring manifold returns . Any charity performed on this holy day can help in bringing bliss that can last for several births, by washing away our sins.It is not the quantity of donation which matters, but rather the willingness to give back to our needy brothers and sisters.

Durga Devi Sloka - To remove disease and suffering

Durga Devi is said to be infinitely fierce to enemies and infinitely loving to her devotees. The following is a powerful sloka of Durga Devi that can be used by devotees to get rid of diseases and suffering.

Om namo devi devi durga devi sarvavyadhi vinashaya namosthuthe

ॐ नमो देवी देवी दुर्गा देवी सर्वव्यादी विनाशाय नमोस्तुते 

Chant this sloka 12 times in the morning for 21 consecutive days, while holding a pinch of turmeric powder in your right hand. Eat the turmeric powder after the recital.

Shiva Raksha Stotra - To protect against all evil, disease, accidents and poverty

Lord Shiva is known as Mrityunjaya, or the one who conquers even death. The following is a powerful Raksha Stotra of Lord Shiva that can be used by all fellow devotees to protect one's family from evil entities, disease, accidents, poverty and misfortunes. May Lord Shiva bless everyone with happiness.

Asya sri shiva raksha stotra mantrasya

yagna valkya rishihi

shri sadashivo devatha anushtupp chandaha

shri sada shiva preethyartham shiva raksha stotra jape viniyoga

Charitham deva devasya, maha devasya paavanam,

aparam paramodhaaram, chathur vargasya sadhanam.

Om raksha raksha sada shiva

Gowri vinayakopetham, pancha vakthram trinethrakam,

shivam dyathwa dasa bhujam shiva rakshaam paden nara.

Om raksha raksha sada shiva

Gangadhara sira pathu, phalam ardendu shekara,

nayane madana dwamsi, karnow sarpa vibhooshana.

Om raksha raksha sada shiva

Granam pathu purar aathi, mukham pathu jagath pathi,

jihwam vaggeswara pathu, kandharam shiva kandhara.

Om raksha raksha sada shiva

Sri kanda pathu may kandam, skandhow vishwa durandhara,

bhujow bhoo bhara samhartha, karow pathu pinaka dhrukh.

Om raksha raksha sada shiva