Rahu Ketu Shanti Puja in Varanasi

Rahu Ketu Shanti Puja samagri list

• Whole urad and black sesame (for Rahu)
• Horse gram / kulthi (for Ketu)
• Dark blue and multicoloured or grey cloth
• Durva grass and kusha grass
• Kalash with mango leaves and coconut
• Blue and mixed-colour flowers
• Roli, akshat and chandan
• Mustard oil diya and ghee diya
• Incense, camphor and cotton wicks
• Betel leaves and supari
• Durva and modak or laddoo for Ganesh worship
• Fruits and naivedya
• Havan samagri and ghee (if homam is included)

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.

Rahu Ketu Shanti Puja vidhi, step by step

1. 1Purification and Ganesh puja. The Pandit performs achaman and pavitrikaran, then worships Lord Ganesha, who is traditionally connected with Ketu.
2. 2Sankalp. A sankalp is taken with your name, gotra, birth details if shared, and intention.
3. 3Kalash and Navagraha invocation. A kalash is established and the nine grahas are invoked, with Rahu and Ketu given special focus.
4. 4Rahu puja. Rahu is worshipped with dark blue or smoky cloth, urad and durva, along with a prayer to Goddess Durga or Bhairav.
5. 5Ketu puja. Ketu is worshipped with multicoloured or grey cloth, horse gram (kulthi) and kusha grass.
6. 6Beej mantra jaap. The Rahu and Ketu mantras are recited for the agreed count, commonly 18,000 and 17,000 respectively for a full anushthan.
7. 7Homam (optional). A homam may be performed with durva for Rahu and kusha for Ketu, as traditionally prescribed.
8. 8Aarti and daan. The puja ends with aarti, prasad and daan such as urad, blankets or sesame as per the family's custom.