Hanuman Puja

Shri Panchamukha Hanuman Pooja

Shri Hanumanji or the devout of Shri Rama, the embodiment of strenght,valor and courage is born of our epics to inspire in us the urge to stand up to our daily challenges and face life’s hurdles, difficulties, enemies and other not-so good factors with equal mental strength and courage.
Shri Panchamukha Hanuman is one of the most important upasana deity of our Guru Parampara. Inspite of rapid strides in technology, there is a growing insecurity for the average human being, both at emotional and physical levels. Sri Panchamukha Anjaneya Swami promises this security to all devotees.
Every Face of Shri Panchamukha Hanuman has significance —
Shri Hanuman faces East. He grants purity of mind and success.
The Narasimha faces South. He grants victory and fearlessness.
The West facing Garuda removes black magic and poisons.
The North facing Varaha, showers prosperity, wealth.
The Hayagriva mukha faces the Sky. But since we cannot see it, it is usually tilted and shown above Hanuman’s face. Hayagriva gives knowledge and good children.”
Shri Panchamukhi Hanuman refers to five faces. According to the scriptures, Lord Hanuman assumed this form to slay Mahiravana, brother of Ravana. Mahiravana was a sorcerer and an ardent devotee of Goddess Mahamaya. Instigated by Ravana, Mahiravana took Lord Rama and his brother Lakshmana to Paathaala Loka (the nether-world) and was tempted to sacrifice them to Goddess Mahamaya. To save the divine brothers, Lord Hanuman had to stub out five lamps burning in different directions simultaneously. He therefore assumed the Panchamukha form to win this task.
This Kavacham is addressed to this fierce form of Hanuman. To tell the fact as I understood, it is not Stothra in the normal sense of the word. It gives large amount of Tantric manthras aimed at protection. Some people believe that this sloka should not be recited but used to worship the Five Faced Hanumanji.
It is written at the end of the stotra that it was taught by Rama to Sita as per her request. But the first few lines show that this is a version was taught by Garuda, where he mentions that it was created by the Lord of Lords.

What is Laghu Rudra Puja?

Rudra Pooja is an ancient practice followed in India since time immemorial. ‘Rudra’ means ‘Shiva – the Benevolent’, ‘ the Destroyer of Evil’. ‘Pooja’ means that which is born out of fullness. Through this Pooja one can aim for inner peace and fulfillment. In this Pooja, Lord Shiva is worshipped in his Rudra form.
It is hailed by all Vedic scriptures as one of the greatest Poojas to remove all evils, to attain all desires and for all-round prosperity. Scriptures on Astrology prescribe this emphatically as a remedy for several planetary doshas.

Why do Laghu Rudra Pooja?

The world is a play of energy: negative and positive. When we pray to Shiva – the Lord of transformation – the entire negative energy around us in form of disease, depression, and unhappiness gets transformed into peace, prosperity and joy. Then peace surrounds us in body, mind and soul.

How is the Laghu Rudra Pooja Performed?

This Pooja is performed with a crystal ‘linga’. Each ancient mantra that is chanted gets absorbed in materials like curd, milk, ghee, honey etc. which are used as offerings in the Pooja. It is then offered to Lord Shiva with reverence, love and gratitude.