Chandi is a very fierce and powerful deity - She is the primordial energy that is responsible for the creation, sustenance and destruction of this entire universe. She is the sum total of the energies of all beings of this universe. By performing the Maha Chandi Homa, one can become free of evil eyes, curses, obstacles and they are also blessed with a lasting health, wealth and prosperity.
The Worship of Goddess Chandi highlights the importance of feminine energy and this is reflected in many of its spiritual worships. Goddess Shakthi is the embodiment of all the divine forces and she is the Mother of the Universe. She is the savior of her children on the earth and protects them from all the evil. The Goddess had attained various forms to kill the Asuras (Demons) who were torturing the humans and the Celestials (Devas). Devi Mahatmiyam talks about the importance of Chandiga Devi Purana in detail.
The purpose of the Chandi Homam is to remove any obstacles or blocks in growth both internally and externally for a person or a group of people. This is a major homam and one of the most prescribed ones for all round dosha removal and success in all undertakings, especially for victory over enemies and court cases. What Rudrabhishekam is for Shiva, Chandi Homam is for Devi. Elaborate Devi pooja is performed where Devi is worshiped in the form of Lakshmi, Saraswati and Chandi. Durga Saptashati (Devi Mahatmyam) is recited fully and with each of the 700 slokas recital havan is performed and the Chandi mantra - Aim Hrim Klim Chamundaye Vichhe - is recited. After that Dampati pooja, Suhasini pooja, Kanya pooja and Brahmachari pooja are performed.
Procedures Involved in Chandi Homa
A Chandi Homa is not an ordinary Homa and has to be performed by priests with years of experience in handling such a complex and powerful homa. If not done properly, the results might not be fruitful.
Our priests will perform the Chandi Homa by chanting the Slokas containing in the 13 chapters of Durga Saptashati which is then followed by performing the actual Homa with other rituals which includes:
Ganapathy pooja: Prayers are offered to the Lord Ganesha seeking his blessings. Worshipping Lord Ganesha clears all the obstacles and paves way for one's success. So, before any auspicious beginning, Lord Ganesha is first addressed with pooja and prayers.
Kanya pooja: Kanya Pooja is one of the highlight of the Navaratri celebrations. Kanya pooja is a ritual of worshiping girls (aged 6 - 10) who haven’t attained puberty, symbolizing the Kanya Kumari (prepubescent) form of Goddess Chandi or Durga. This ritual is specially performed to recognize the divine feminine power vested in a girl child.
Anukyai Sangalpam: Seeking the consent of the Goddess to perform the Yagna which is a sacred ritual. The ritual specifies for whom, where and when the yagna is performed.
Punyakavajanam: Purifying the mind, body and place before the yagna is performed. Water is sprinkled with mango leaves around the place with the chanting of Mantras.
Kalasa Sthaapana: Kalasa means a pot. It is made of metal and is filled with water and placed with Mango leaves immersed in the water. Pooja is made to this Kalasa invoking the blessings of the goddess.
Parayanam Samarpanam: Chanting of Durga Saptashati Slokas worshipping the God. Bairava Bhali (offering): After the chanting of Slokas, offering is made to Lord Bairava (an incarnation of Lord Shiva) to signify the ritual.
Ganapathy pooja: Prayers are offered to Lord Ganesha before beginning the Yagna
Punyakavajanam: Pooja and mantras are chanted to purify the place and people who are performing the Yagna
Kho pooja: The Sanskrit word Kho means Cow. In Hinduism, Cow is considered to be a holy animal embodied with divine qualities. Pooja and prayers are offered to the cow before the yagna, seeking her blessings for prosperity.
Suhasini Pooja: Worshipping an elderly married woman (whose husband is alive) and performing Pada (traditional foot washing ceremony) pooja to invoke her blessings.
Dampathi pooja: Dampathi means couple. Prayers are offered to an elderly couple with Padha pooja.
Brahmachari pooja: A Brahmachari is an unmarried man. He is held in high esteem in Vedas and Puranas for several reasons. Padha pooja and prayers are offered to a Brahmachari seeking his blessings.
Chandi yagna: The fire ritual is performed with the chanting of Mantras and Slokas.
Purnahuthi: Any Yagna becomes complete only when this ritual is performed. Betel leaves, Betel nuts, Coconut, Kumkum (red colored auspicious powder), Turmeric, Flowers, Fruits, a coin, a small bag of herbs are put together in a silk cloth and tied. The bag is dropped into the fire seeking the blessings of the Almighty.
