Hindu Pujas, Ceremonies & Sanskaras

Godh Bharai — blessings during pregnancy

Prayers and blessings for a mother during pregnancy, held in the form your family keeps, with the meaning of each step explained gently to everyone present.

Prayers at the birth of a child

The traditional welcome given to a newborn, with prayers offered for the child’s health and wellbeing. Kept short and quiet, around mother and baby.

Baby naming ceremony

The naming of a child with prayers for their wellbeing, held at home or at a temple, with the meaning of each step explained to those present.

First feeding ceremony

The occasion on which a child is given solid food for the first time, marked with a short prayer and kept as gentle as a baby allows.

Ear-piercing Sanskar

The traditional ear-piercing rite for a young child, with prayers offered beforehand and the practical arrangements agreed with you so the day stays calm.

First haircut ceremony — Chudakarana

The child’s first ceremonial haircut, with prayers offered beforehand. Arranged around the child, whether at home, at a temple or elsewhere.

Vidya Aarambh — beginning of education

Prayers as a child begins learning, traditionally with the first letters written under blessing. A short observance, usually held with close family.

Upanayana / Yagnopavit Sanskar

The sacred thread ceremony, with the havan and the mantra given in the traditional manner. Preparation and the family’s own customs are talked through first.

Ayushya Havan for long life and wellbeing

A havan held on a birthday, with prayers for health and long life. Observed by many families for a child, and by others at any age.

Prayers marking a marriage anniversary

A prayer of gratitude on a wedding anniversary, held at home or at a temple with family present, and kept as brief or as full as you wish.

Household prayer of gratitude

A prayer of gratitude including the katha, held for a family occasion or simply for the household, with the reading explained as it goes along.

Prayers to the nine planetary deities

Prayers to the nine grahas in the traditional sequence, with a havan where the family observes one. Described as devotional observance, not prediction.

Abhishek of the Shiv Ling

Abhishek of the Shiv Ling with Vedic mantras, arranged at home or at a temple and explained step by step for everyone taking part.

The night of Shiva

Prayers observed on Maha Shivaratri, at home or at a temple, in the form your family keeps and within the timings the setting allows.

Devotional prayer and recitation

Devotional prayer to Hanuman Ji with recitation of the Hanuman Chalisa, held for a household or a wider family gathering.

Devi observance

Prayers to the Devi in the tradition your family follows, with a havan where that is kept, prepared around the setting and those attending.

The nine nights

Observances held during Navaratri, arranged for a household or a community setting, with the vidhi agreed beforehand rather than assumed.

Prayer to Lord Ganesha

Prayer to Lord Ganesha before a new undertaking or as a household observance in its own right, kept short or fuller as your family prefers.

Prayers to Mata Lakshmi

Devotional prayers to Mata Lakshmi, held at home or at a business, offered in the traditional spirit of gratitude rather than as a promise of any outcome.

Diwali and Nutan Varsh observance

The Diwali prayers to Lakshmi and Ganesha, held at home or at a place of work, arranged around the muhurat and the timings the setting allows.

Prayers to Mata Saraswati — Vasant Panchami

Prayers to Mata Saraswati for learning and study, often held at Vasant Panchami or as a child begins schooling, prepared in the tradition you keep.

Havan with the Gayatri Mantra

A havan centred on the Gayatri Mantra, held for a household or a wider gathering, with the number of recitations agreed with your family beforehand.

Ganga Jal observance

The Ganga Loti vidhi kept by many families, with Ganga Jal offered in the traditional manner and each step explained plainly as it is performed.

Recitation from the Ramcharitmanas

The recitation of Sundar Kand at home or in a hall, with the passages explained in plain English so younger guests follow what is being read.

Reading of the Bhagavad Gita

A reading of the Bhagavad Gita for a household or a family occasion, arranged as a single sitting or across several days as your family prefers.

Reading of the Ramayan

A reading of the Ramayan, held over one sitting or several, with the narrative explained as it unfolds so everyone present can follow it.

Shrimad Bhagwat Katha

The Bhagwat Katha told over the days your family observes, at home, in a hall or at a temple, with the meaning drawn out in plain English.

Antyeshti / Antim Sanskar

The last rites performed at home and at the crematorium, guided step by step, with timings coordinated alongside your chosen funeral director.

Prayers at the crematorium

Prayers and mantras at the crematorium within the time the chapel allows, prepared so the family knows what happens and when.

Observances in the days that follow

The prayers held at home in the days after a cremation, observed as your family keeps them and explained gently as they are performed.

Offerings for the departed

Rice and barley offerings shaped by hand and offered for the departed, performed at home in the traditional manner where a family cannot travel.

Barma in some families

The observance held on the twelfth day after a death, kept in the form your family follows, with what is needed explained beforehand.

Prayers for the ancestors

Prayers offered for peace for the ancestors, understood in tradition as an act of gratitude and duty rather than a request for anything in return.

Remembrance for the departed

Remembrance rites with offerings made in the name of someone who has died, observed as your family keeps them and explained without any pressure.

Remembrance on the yearly tithi

The remembrance observed each year on the tithi of a death, held quietly at home in the form your family keeps, whenever you feel ready to mark it.

Reading in the days after a death

The reading many families observe in the days following a death, offered gently and at the family’s own pace, with the passages explained if that helps.

Hindu ashes ceremony

Prayers for the respectful immersion or scattering of ashes, in the United Kingdom or before ashes travel to India, held quietly with the family.