Sri Sri Ma / Thakur / Swamiji PUJA Items Required and Code of Conduct

Sri Sri Ma / Thakur / Swamiji PUJA Items Required

Part 1

For Puja:

    1.    Thakur, Ma and Swamiji’s framed pictures
    2.    Ma picture should be placed in the middle with Thakur on left (Ma’s right) and Swamiji 

           on right.

    3.    Fresh flower garland for Ma.  It would be convenient if the picture is garlanded already.
    4.    May decorate the picture with sandal paste alankar (Optional)
    5.    Ganga Jal
    6.    Incense sticks set up in holder
    7.    Lighter
    8.    Flowers
                a.   108 rose petals or individual flowers for Ma
                b.   11 for Thakur
                c.   11 for Swamiji
                d.   Extra flowers for puja and guests
    9.   Sandal paste
                a.  Red sandal (optional)
                   b.  White sandal paste enough for smearing all flowers and for the pictures

   10.  Naivedya/food offering

                a.  1 Big plate with all main food items arranged with rice in center bowl shaped and all

                     side items a little on the plate or in small bowls.

                b.  Desserts separately in a plate/bowl. 

                c.   Preferably (optional) Ma’s naividya placed in a tray. 

                d.  If preferred (optional), separate offering may be made for Thakur and Swamiji.
                e.  1 small plate of cut fruits.
                f.   Water for Ma in small glasses.
   11.  1 Big bowl/vessel or plate for offering the flowers
   12.  1 clock for the pujari to note the timings.
   13.   Aasan (a mat/cushion ) for pujari to sit on. (Use this cushion other time for puja preferably for puja only).  

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For Arati:

   1.    Incense sticks set up in holder
   2.    Lighter
   3.    Pancha Pradip setup with wicks dipped in oil
   4.    Ghanta (Bell)
   5.    Chamar
   6.    1 Mid size/Big Rose or any flower with long stem.  Encircle the stem with aluminum foil 

          for easy holding.
   7.    1 new cloth/handkerchief
   8.    Karpur (Camphor) Pradip (optional)
   9.    Jal shankha
  10.   Shankha for blowing

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For Devotees:

1.     Readings from selected books. For example:
           a.   Gospel of Holy Mother, , Divine Play of Holy Mother, Sri Sarada Devi,
           b.   Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna, Sri Ramakrishna and His Divine Play Inspired talks,
           c.    Reminiscences of Swami Vivekananda by His eastern and western disciples, Talks with

                  Swami,
           d.   Thus Spake series. etc.
2.    Naam sankirtanam (Ma / Thakur)
3.    Bhajan Lyrics keep ready
4.    Flowers for offering
5.    Harmonium
6.    Khanjani

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Code of Conduct:

Puja Altar Setup:

      a.   The Altar must be setup in North or North East or East wall i.e., the devotees will be facing

            the N/NE/E direction.

      b.   The Altar must be in a big room so that all devotees can sit together and do the puja all

            together.
      c.    It is ok to put the shrine pictures in this puja altar for this occasion.
      d.    After Puja the pictures must be returned back into the shrine in its own place.  

      e.    If the puja is not done in the original shrine then the Deity to be worshipped is usually 

             placed in the Center. For example in Mother's Puja, Ma is at Center, with Thakur on Her 

             right and Swamiji on Her Left.

      f.    If the puja is done in the shrine, then usually a separate picture is placed. 

 

Participants:

1.    Before puja all participants (Especially hosts and the priest) must take bath in the morning 

       and wear fresh clothes that morning before puja. Typically the pujari and host(s) maintain fast
       until puja is over.

2.    Maintain Silence:
     i.    Control your children. If they are quiet, then they can participate in the puja (highly 

           recommended for creating good samskara). If not, then arrange to keep them engaged 

           elsewhere so the puja atmosphere is not disturbed. Don’t allow them to run around. 

     ii    No talking amongst anybody during the puja.
     iii   When preparing for the puja, (Preparing Naivedya, cooking, arranging flowers, getting arati

            items ready etc) please chant your mantra (or Om or Jai Sarada Ma or Om Sarada 

            Devyai Namah etc.) silently and refrain from talking unless necessary.

3.    Host's dutites:
    i     Inform all your guests to maintain silence before and during puja.
    ii    Set up signs for restroom (direction to get there and on restroom door) so people don’t have 

           to ask and disturb others.
    iii   Host and hostess must attend puja from beginning to end.
    iv   Host and hostess must not get up during the puja to welcome late comers.

     v   Please keep some cut fruits, cookies etc for children if they get hungry before puja is 

          complete.  

© Nandini Mitra Banerjee

24 Sept, 2018

NOTE: The above set of Do's and Don'ts are the author's understanding over the years as learnt from Revd. Swami Dayatmanandaji Maharaj. If something is not in alignment, its author's misunderstanding of the imparted teaching. 

                                               

Part 2: Puja agenda and Mantra