Bhoomi Puja in Varanasi

Bhoomi Puja samagri list

• Kalash, coconut and mango leaves
• Silver naga (serpent) and small silver or copper items as per custom
• Navratna or panchdhatu set
• Five or nine bricks for shilanyas
• New spade or pickaxe for the first dig
• Roli, haldi, kumkum and akshat
• Supari, paan leaves and cloves
• Coins and whole grains
• Flowers and garlands
• Ghee, diyas, camphor and incense
• Fruits and sweets
• Red cloth and mauli
• Gangajal and milk
• Havan kund and samagri (if a havan is planned)

The Pandit confirms the final list for your family's vidhi, and Pandit ji can arrange the samagri in Varanasi at an additional cost, agreed after discussion.

Bhoomi Puja vidhi, step by step

1. 1Preparing the site. The plot is cleaned and the area for the puja and the first dig is marked, usually in a direction suggested by tradition.
2. 2Sankalp and Ganesh puja. The Pandit takes the sankalp in the owner's name with family details, then worships Lord Ganesha for an obstacle-free project.
3. 3Bhoomi Devi and Vastu puja. Mother Earth, Vastu Purusha, the Navagraha and the directional deities are worshipped with flowers, grains and offerings.
4. 4Naga and kalash puja. A small silver naga (serpent) and a kalash are worshipped; in many traditions these are placed in the foundation pit.
5. 5Breaking ground. The worshipped spade or pickaxe is used by the owner to make the first dig, often followed by other family members.
6. 6Shilanyas (foundation stone). The kalash, coins, grains, gems or metals and the first brick or stone are placed in the pit with mantras.
7. 7Havan, aarti and prasad. Where space allows, a short havan is performed, followed by aarti and distribution of prasad to all present.