Guidance First · पहले मार्गदर्शन

Rituals & Festivals

संस्कार एवं त्योहार

Step-by-step guides with required items, mantras with meaning, and video walkthroughs for every occasion in the Aggarwal calendar. Each ritual is being documented carefully — with regional variations respected and the elders consulted.

An editorial five-panel composition of traditional Hindu pooja samagri — a marigold-strewn brass plate with diya, a kalash with coconut and mango leaves, mauli thread with vermillion paste, brass bowls of dried flowers and spices, and a brass plate with prayer beads — all arranged on a soft cream backdrop with crimson silk accents.
Pooja samagri — the traditional materials assembled for any Hindu ritual.
Jump to:DiwaliGriha PraveshVivahHoliMundan
Diwali — Lakshmi Pooja
Major Festival

Diwali — Lakshmi Pooja

दीपावली — लक्ष्मी पूजा

Complete guide to Lakshmi-Ganesh pooja, lighting diyas, reciting Lakshmi Aarti, and the correct sequence on Diwali night.

Step-by-step

· विधि
  1. 1Clean the home thoroughly during the day; sprinkle a little Gangajal in each room to purify the space.
  2. 2Bathe and wear fresh clothes, ideally red or other auspicious colours.
  3. 3Just after sunset (Pradosh Kaal), place a red cloth on the chowki where the puja will be performed.
  4. 4Set the idols of Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha — Ganesha to the left of Lakshmi.
  5. 5Set up the Kalash: a copper or brass pot filled with water, five mango leaves around the rim, a coconut placed on top.
  6. 6Light a diya, agarbatti, and dhoop in front of the deities.
  7. 7Begin with Ganesha worship — chant Om Gan Ganapataye Namah while offering flowers and akshat.
  8. 8Invoke Goddess Lakshmi by sprinkling holy water on her idol while chanting Om Shreem Mahalakshmiyei Namaha.
  9. 9Offer flowers (lotus is ideal), fruits, sweets, betel leaves, and kumkum to both deities.
  10. 10Recite the Lakshmi Aarti with devotion — ring the bell or clap during the aarti.
  11. 11Light additional diyas around the house, especially at the main entrance and in the kitchen.
  12. 12Distribute the prasad among family members.

Required items

· सामग्री
  • Red cloth for the chowki
  • Idols of Lakshmi and Ganesha
  • Copper or brass Kalash
  • Five mango leaves and a whole coconut
  • Diya, ghee, and cotton wicks
  • Agarbatti and dhoop
  • Fresh flowers (lotus or marigold)
  • Akshat (unbroken rice)
  • Kumkum, haldi, chandan
  • Sweets and fruits for offering
  • Betel leaves and supari
  • A few coins or a small idol of Kuber

Mantras

· मंत्र

ॐ गं गणपतये नमः

Salutations to Lord Ganesha, remover of obstacles. Recited at the start of every puja to clear hindrances.

ॐ श्रीं महालक्ष्म्यै नमः

Salutations to Mahalakshmi, the source of wealth, abundance, and grace.

ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय

Salutations to Lord Vishnu, Lakshmi's eternal consort and the protector of the universe.

12 steps · Audio · Video · Printable
Griha Pravesh
Life Event

Griha Pravesh

गृह प्रवेश

Moving into a new home the Aggarwal way — Vastu Pooja, Kalash Sthapana, Navgraha Shanti, and the auspicious entry with right foot.

Step-by-step

· विधि
  1. 1Choose an auspicious day and muhurat in consultation with a Pandit or the Panchang.
  2. 2Clean the new home thoroughly; decorate the entrance with a mango-leaves toran and a fresh rangoli.
  3. 3Smear the threshold with haldi and kumkum; draw a Swastika on the main door.
  4. 4Set up the puja area with idols or pictures of Ganesha, Lakshmi, and the family kuldevta.
  5. 5Wife enters first, carrying a Kalash filled with water, raw rice, and a coconut on top — both partners step in with the right foot.
  6. 6Begin the puja with Ganesha worship to remove obstacles; recite the family Sankalp naming the gotra and intention.
  7. 7Perform Kalash Sthapana — copper or brass pot with water, rice, turmeric, mango leaves, and a coconut.
  8. 8Conduct the Vastu Shanti Havan to pacify the directional deities and the nine grahas.
  9. 9Sprinkle Kalash water in every room as you walk through the house.
  10. 10Light the kitchen stove for the first time and boil milk till it overflows — a symbol of prosperity.
  11. 11Cook the first meal (kheer is traditional) and offer it to the deity, then share among the family.
  12. 12Ensure someone stays in the house overnight after the puja — the home should not be left empty.

Required items

· सामग्री
  • Brass or copper Kalash
  • Coconut and mango leaves (for kalash and toran)
  • Raw rice (akshat), turmeric, kumkum, chandan
  • Pictures or small idols of Ganesha, Lakshmi, and the kuldevta
  • Diya, ghee, cotton wicks
  • Agarbatti, dhoop, camphor
  • Havan kund and havan samagri
  • Sweets, fruits, and dakshina
  • Milk for the first kitchen ritual
  • Rice and dal for the first meal
  • A new broom (auspicious in many families)

Mantras

· मंत्र

ॐ गं गणपतये नमः

Invocation of Ganesha at the threshold — so the new household begins without obstacles.

ॐ वास्तोष्पते प्रति जानीह्यस्मान् स्वावेशो अनमीवो भवा नः

Vastu Sukta: O Lord of the Dwelling, accept us and let this home be free of disease and full of well-being.

ॐ श्रीं ह्रीं श्रीं कमले कमलालये प्रसीद प्रसीद महालक्ष्म्यै नमः

Mahalakshmi mantra inviting abundance, grace, and prosperity into the new home.

9 steps · Items list · Video
Vivah Sanskar
Marriage

Vivah Sanskar

विवाह संस्कार

Complete Aggarwal wedding — from Sagai and Tilak to Saat Phere and Vidai, with meanings, mantras, and regional variations noted.

Step-by-step

· विधि
  1. 1Tilak / Sagai — formal engagement; the bride's family applies tilak to the groom and exchanges gifts.
  2. 2Haldi ceremony — turmeric paste is applied to both bride and groom at their homes for purification.
  3. 3Mehndi and Sangeet — celebratory evenings of henna and music before the wedding day.
  4. 4Baraat arrives at the venue; the groom is welcomed by the bride's family at the Milni.
  5. 5Var Mala (Jaimala) — bride and groom exchange flower garlands, signifying acceptance.
  6. 6Kanyadan — the bride's father places her hand in the groom's, formally giving her in marriage.
  7. 7Panigrahan — the groom takes the bride's right hand, reciting the mantra of acceptance and commitment.
  8. 8Shilarohan — the bride steps on a small stone, symbolising her unwavering commitment.
  9. 9Laja Homa — the bride's brother pours puffed rice (laja) into her hands; the couple offers it together to the sacred fire.
  10. 10Agni Parikrama (Saat Phere) — the couple circles the sacred fire seven times. The bride leads the first three rounds; the groom leads the remaining four.
  11. 11Sindoor Daan and Mangalsutra — the groom applies sindoor to the bride's hair parting and ties the mangalsutra around her neck.
  12. 12Saptapadi — the couple takes seven steps together, each step a vow for shared life: nourishment, strength, prosperity, happiness, progeny, health, and lifelong friendship.
  13. 13Ashirvad — the elders bless the couple with akshat and kumkum.
  14. 14Vidai — the bride departs with her husband's family, throwing handfuls of rice back over her shoulder as a parting gift to her parents' home.

Required items

· सामग्री
  • Mandap (four-pillared canopy) with agni kund and havan samagri
  • Var mala (flower garlands) and the sehra for the groom
  • Bride's wedding attire, mangalsutra, and sindoor
  • Tilak and haldi paste
  • Coconuts, rice, and dal for the laja homa
  • A small stone slab for Shilarohan
  • Kalash with water, mango leaves, and a coconut
  • Diya, ghee, cotton wicks, camphor
  • Mehndi, flowers, and sweets
  • Dakshina envelopes for the priest

Mantras

· मंत्र

ॐ गं गणपतये नमः

Beginning the ceremony by invoking Ganesha — for an obstacle-free married life.

गृभ्णामि ते सौभगत्वाय हस्तं मया पत्या जरदष्टिर्यथासः

Panigrahan mantra: I take your hand for prosperity. May you live a long life with me as your husband.

सखा सप्तपदी भव

Saptapadi vow: With these seven steps we become friends — may we walk together through life.

18 steps · Regional variations · Audio
Holi — Holika Dahan
Festival

Holi — Holika Dahan

होली — होलिका दहन

Why we burn the Holika, the correct pooja before the bonfire, the significance of parikrama, and morning Rangwali Holi celebrations.

Step-by-step

· विधि
  1. 1Build a small pyramid of wood, twigs, and dried cow-dung patties in an open space — traditionally done by the community.
  2. 2Bathe and wear clean (preferably new) clothes.
  3. 3Sit facing east or north before the unlit pyre.
  4. 4Purify yourself and the puja samagri by sprinkling water while chanting Om Pundarikakshah Punatu three times.
  5. 5Wrap raw cotton mauli thread around the wood pile three or seven times in the clockwise direction.
  6. 6Offer flowers, akshat, haldi-kumkum, and grains (wheat, gram, moong) to the pile.
  7. 7Add a coconut, batasha (sugar drops), and jaggery to be offered into the bonfire.
  8. 8Light the Holika pyre at the prescribed muhurat — after sunset on Purnima, once the Bhadra tithi has passed.
  9. 9Circumambulate (parikrama) the burning Holika four or seven times in the clockwise direction.
  10. 10Offer prayers to Lord Vishnu and Lord Narasimha, who protected the devotee Prahlad in this story.
  11. 11Roast newly harvested grains (wheat ears, gram) in the fire — eat them as prasad.
  12. 12The next morning, smear a little ash from the Holika onto the forehead, then play Rangwali Holi with colours.

Required items

· सामग्री
  • Dry wood, twigs, and dried cow-dung beads
  • Raw cotton thread (mauli)
  • Akshat (unbroken rice), turmeric, kumkum
  • Fresh flowers
  • Whole coconut
  • Batasha (sugar drops) and jaggery
  • Raw grains — wheat ears, moong, gram
  • Diya, ghee, agarbatti
  • A small bowl of water for purification

Mantras

· मंत्र

ॐ पुण्डरीकाक्षः पुनातु

Purification mantra: May the lotus-eyed Lord purify us. Recited three times before beginning.

ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय

Vishnu mantra recited 11, 21, or 108 times during the parikrama.

ॐ होलिकायै नमः सर्वपापक्षयाय नमः

Holika invocation: Salutations to Holika; may all our sins be destroyed in this fire.

ॐ नरसिंहाय नमः

Salutations to Lord Narasimha, the protector of devotee Prahlad — central to the Holika story.

7 steps · Meaning explained
Mundan Sanskar
Child Ceremony

Mundan Sanskar

मुंडन संस्कार

One of the 16 Shodasha Samskaras — the first haircut. When to perform, what is needed, the mantras involved, and its spiritual significance.

Step-by-step

· विधि
  1. 1Select an auspicious day with a Pandit's help — typically between 7 months and 3 years of the child's age.
  2. 2Bathe the child early in the morning and dress them in fresh new clothes.
  3. 3Begin the puja with Ganesha worship — the family Sankalp is recited naming the child, the gotra, and the parents.
  4. 4The child sits in the lap of an elder (often the mother or maternal grandparent), facing east.
  5. 5The priest chants the mundan sanskar mantras and ceremonially cuts the first few strands of hair from four sides of the child's head.
  6. 6The barber then carefully shaves the rest of the head clean.
  7. 7Wash the child's head gently with holy water (Gangajal) — said to soothe and bless.
  8. 8A small amount of turmeric paste or chandan is sometimes applied to the scalp.
  9. 9The shaved hair is collected and offered respectfully — given to a sacred river, buried at home, or as per the priest's instruction.
  10. 10Apply a tika of kumkum on the child's forehead.
  11. 11Elders bless the child with akshat, kumkum, and sweets.
  12. 12Share a feast or distribute prasad with family and close friends.

Required items

· सामग्री
  • New clothes for the child
  • Holy water (Gangajal) for washing the head
  • Diya, ghee, cotton wicks
  • Akshat, kumkum, haldi, chandan
  • Flowers for the puja
  • Sweets and prasad for distribution
  • A small bowl to collect the shaved hair
  • Razor and scissors (used by the barber)
  • Dakshina for the priest and the barber

Mantras

· मंत्र

ॐ गं गणपतये नमः

Ganesha invocation at the start of the ceremony — for the child's protected future.

आयुष्यं वर्चस्यं रायस्पोषमौद्भिदम्

May this rite bring the child long life, vigour, prosperity, and growth. Recited as the first strands are cut.

6 steps · Items list

A living archive · जीवंत अभिलेख

This is a community-built archive. The full step-by-step guides, mantra audio, and video walkthroughs are being added one ritual at a time — checked against multiple Aggarwal families for regional accuracy. If you would like to contribute knowledge, recordings, or corrections, join the portal.