South Indian Pujas
Telugu · Tamil · Kannada · Malayalam · Sanskrit
Homams, vrathams and poojas in the South Indian style, with Vedic chanting in Sanskrit and guidance in Telugu, Tamil, Kannada or Malayalam.
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North Indian Pujas & Pandits
Pujas in the North Indian style, with Sanskrit mantras, Hindi explanations and customs familiar to families from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Punjab, Rajasthan and beyond.
- Languages
- Hindi · Sanskrit · Bhojpuri · Punjabi · Rajasthani · Awadhi
- Cities
- Varanasi · Prayagraj · Hyderabad · Bangalore
- Pujas
- 11 with local names
North Indian Ritual Traditions
About
North Indian ritual practice covers a wide stretch of the country, from Punjab and Haryana to Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. The mantras are in Sanskrit, but most families expect the Pandit to explain each step in Hindi, or in a regional language such as Bhojpuri or Awadhi, so that everyone at home can follow along.
Whether it is a Satyanarayan Katha on Purnima, a havan for a new home or Rudrabhishek during Sawan, many North Indian families have a clear sense of how the puja was done in their parents' home. We connect you with a Pandit familiar with the North Indian vidhi who can follow those expectations while respecting your own family's customs.
एकं सद्विप्रा बहुधा वदन्ति॥
How the Vidhi Commonly Differs
In many North Indian homes a puja begins with Ganesh Pujan, kalash sthapana and the worship of the Navagraha, followed by the main deity. The kalash is commonly topped with mango leaves and a coconut wrapped in red cloth, and a sankalp is taken with the family's gotra. A havan with ahutis of ghee and samagri often closes the ritual, followed by aarti and prasad.
Katha plays a large role. The Satyanarayan Katha, for example, is usually read in Hindi or recited from the Skanda Purana with a Hindi retelling, and the family listens together before the aarti. Sundarkand Path, Hanuman Chalisa and Durga Saptashati Path are also common, especially on Tuesdays, Saturdays and during Navratri.
Customs still vary from region to region and family to family. A Punjabi family, a Bhojpuri speaking family from eastern Uttar Pradesh or Bihar, and a Marwari family may each have their own way of doing the same puja, so it helps to share any specific practices with the Pandit in advance.
Customs Families Often Follow
- 1
Kalash sthapana
A water filled kalash with mango leaves and a coconut is installed at the start of most pujas and worshipped as a seat for the divine.
- 2
Katha and Hindi explanation
Many families like the Pandit to narrate the katha and explain the meaning of the rituals in simple Hindi so children and elders can follow.
- 3
Havan to close the puja
A small havan with ghee and havan samagri is commonly performed at the end of pujas such as Griha Pravesh and Satyanarayan Katha.
- 4
Panchamrit and prasad
Panchamrit made from milk, curd, ghee, honey and sugar is used for abhishek and shared as prasad, often with panjiri, halwa or fruits.
- 5
Kanya Pujan in Navratri
On Ashtami or Navami many families invite young girls home, wash their feet and offer food and gifts as a form of the Goddess.
North Indian Names for Common Pujas
- Satyanarayan KathaSatyanarayan PujaOften held on Purnima, after a housewarming or on a family milestone, with the katha read and explained in Hindi.
- Griha PraveshGriha Pravesh PujaCommonly includes Ganesh Pujan, Vastu Pujan, Navagraha Pujan and a havan, with the family entering on a chosen muhurat.
- RudrabhishekRudrabhishekEspecially popular during Sawan and on Mondays, with abhishek of water, milk and panchamrit while Rudri path is chanted.
- Sundarkand PathSundarkand PathMany families arrange it on Tuesdays or Saturdays, often recited in Awadhi from the Ramcharitmanas with bhajans.
- Navratri Puja & Kanya PujanNavratri PujaGhatasthapana on the first day, daily Durga worship and Kanya Pujan on Ashtami or Navami are common in many homes.
- Diwali Lakshmi PujanLakshmi PujaPerformed on Diwali evening with Lakshmi and Ganesh together, often in the home and in shops or offices.
- MundanMundan SanskarThe child's first haircut, done at home, at a family temple or at a river such as the Ganga, according to family custom.
- Janeu SanskarUpanayana (Janeu) SanskarThe holy thread ceremony, observed by many families before or alongside a wedding if it was not done earlier.
- Vivah / ShaadiVivah Sanskar (Hindu Wedding Ceremony)Includes rituals such as kanyadaan, phere around the holy fire and sindoor daan, with steps varying by region.
- ShraddhShraddhaPerformed on the death anniversary or during Pitru Paksha, often with pind daan and feeding Brahmins.
- Mahamrityunjaya JaapMahamrityunjaya JaapOften arranged as a jaap of a set number of mantras by one or more Pandits, with a havan at the end.
North Indian Pandits by City
- VaranasiNorth Indian Pandit in VaranasiVaranasi sits at the heart of the North Indian ritual tradition, and many families from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and across the Hindi speaking belt come to Kashi for Rudrabhishek, pind daan, Mundan and Satyanarayan Katha. Pandits here commonly follow the Sanskrit vidhi and explain each step in Hindi, and many are comfortable with Bhojpuri as well.Read more
- PrayagrajNorth Indian Pandit in PrayagrajPrayagraj, still called Allahabad by many, is a home ground of the North Indian karmkand tradition. At the Triveni Sangam, families from across the Hindi speaking belt come for Pind Daan, Asthi Visarjan and Mundan, while households in the city book Satyanarayan Katha, Griha Pravesh, Vivah and Rudrabhishek in Sawan. Household vidhi here is largely Saryupareen and Kanyakubja, with Sanskrit mantras and explanation in Hindi.Read more
- HyderabadNorth Indian Pandit in HyderabadMany North Indian families have made Hyderabad home, especially around the IT corridor in Gachibowli, HITEC City, Madhapur and Kondapur, as well as in older neighbourhoods in Secunderabad. The rituals they most often look for are Satyanarayan Katha, Griha Pravesh for a new flat, Rudrabhishek in Sawan, Sundarkand Path, Navratri puja and sanskars such as Mundan and Namkaran.Read more
- BangaloreNorth Indian Pandit in BangaloreBengaluru has one of the largest North Indian communities in South India, with families from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, Delhi and Madhya Pradesh living across Whitefield, Marathahalli, Bellandur, Sarjapur Road, Electronic City and HSR Layout. The rituals they most often look for are Satyanarayan Katha, Griha Pravesh for a new flat, Rudrabhishek in Sawan, Sundarkand Path, Navratri puja and sanskars such as Mundan and Namkaran.Read more
North Indian Pujas: FAQs
Do your Pandits explain the puja in Hindi?
Yes. We connect you with a Pandit who chants the mantras in Sanskrit and explains the steps in Hindi. If your family prefers Bhojpuri or another regional language, mention it on WhatsApp and we will try to find a suitable Pandit.
Can the puja follow our family's own customs?
Yes. North Indian customs vary widely by region and family. Share any specific practices, such as a kuldevta, a particular katha or how the havan is done at home, and the Pandit can plan around them.
Can I book a North Indian puja online?
Many pujas, such as Satyanarayan Katha, Sundarkand Path and Mahamrityunjaya Jaap, can be done with an online sankalp, where the Pandit performs the ritual and your family joins by video.
How much does a North Indian puja cost?
It depends on the ritual, duration, number of Pandits and whether samagri is included. Share your requirements on WhatsApp and the details will be shared with you there.
Is the samagri different from a South Indian puja?
Often, yes. North Indian pujas commonly use items such as roli, kalawa, havan samagri, panchamrit and a coconut for the kalash. The Pandit will share a list suited to your puja.
Related Traditions
Marathi Pujas
Marathi · Sanskrit
Marathi pujas, from Satyanarayan Pooja and Ganpati sthapana to Vastu Shanti and Munj, with Sanskrit mantras and explanation in Marathi.
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Bengali Pujas
Bengali · Sanskrit
Bengali pujas, from Lokkhi Puja on Kojagari Purnima to Satyanarayan Sinni and Shraddho, with Sanskrit mantras and Bengali guidance.
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Gujarati Pujas
Gujarati · Sanskrit
Gujarati pujas, from Satyanarayan Katha and Navratri to Chopda Pujan on Diwali, with Sanskrit mantras and explanation in Gujarati or Hindi.
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Book a North Indian Pandit
Share the puja, your family's customs and the date. We'll confirm a Pandit and pricing on WhatsApp.