Raahu Dosh Poojaa
Some Dosh are removed by
conducting Poojaa (worship) by a Pandit or in a temple. Raahu Dosh is such
a Dosh, in which one has to to do Poojaa get done by a Pandit or in a
temple. Kaalaahstee Temple is one such temple where such Poojaa is
conducted.
One person performed the
Raahu Dosh Nivaaran Poojaa, on a Sunday at 11 AM to 12:15 in Sri Kaalaahastee
temple, near Tirupathi. He has given the following details for the interested
people who may need to perform this. This is for those people only who have
faith, he is not discussing the effectiveness or need for such Parihaar.
Raahu-Ketu Dosh Nivaaran Poojaa
This Poojaa is normally advised by an astrologer for those who are facing problems
in their own or their children's life in job, marriage, health etc OR if the Raahu
is afflicted in their horoscopes.
Kaalaahastee Temple
Kaalaahastee is a railway station and buses run frequently from Chennai/Bangalore
and from many other cities. There is a good road connectivity to Kaalaahastee,
from all directions. There is a large car park near the temple- now very dusty
and unpaved. They charge Rs.40 for parking. There are very few good hotels in
Kaalaahastee but many good lodging is in Tirupati about 30 Km away from that temple.
The temple is very crowded on Saturdays, Sundays and all Raahu Kaal periods. The
Raahu Poojaa can be performed on all days and all temple working hours which is
most of the day. So you may choose your convenient time for this visit. There are
many water taps inside the temple where you can wash your hands and feet before
proceeding to the Poojaa. Good drinking water is also available there. There is
a Prasaad stall where many eatables are sold. After the Poojaa, I would advise
you to buy some Pulihodar and curd rice and eat them rather than eating outside
with a lots of onion and garlic. There are no good Braahman hotels around.
Poojaa Charges
Three types of Poojaa are there. Rs. 300, 750 and 1500. It is the same Poojaa
but in several categories. In Rs. 300, the priest of the Poojaa conductor is
common for about 100 to 150 people. In Rs. 750 Poojaa, the Poojaa is common
to 20 to 50 people. In Rs. 1,500 the Poojaa is done inside the temple with
fewer people. The Rs. 300 and Rs. 750 Poojaa are done in Mandap in outer Prahar.
All three places are supposed to give equal results!
Poojaa Material
Main material is given along with and included in Poojaa ticket charge. It consists
of a black piece of cloth, a red piece, 3 coconuts, rose flowers, a packet of Kumkum
and a packet of Manjal Podi (turmeric), a packet of green gram and a packet of black
gram, two silver snake models to which Poojaa is performed. An assorted variety of
flowers - rose, Tumbai, lotus, Bilva - have to be purchased from near the counter at
extra Rs. 60. Optionally ghee lamps can be purchased for Rs. 40 or 60.
Poojaa Procedure
Poojaa is conducted in batches, each lasting about one hour. All instructions are
given over a clear public address system in both Telugu and Tamil. There are also
2 or 3 assistants to the main Pujaaaree (priest) who correct any errors made by
performers. The instructions are very clear and easily followed by all people. The
Mantra are in pure Sanskrit with Swar for Ved portions. As this Poojaa is common to
all castes, the Ved Mantra are said only by the priest while the Stotra Naam etc are
repeated by all people. The Poojaa is done to Raahu and Ketu as represented by the two
snake replicas, and then to Shiv and then to Ambal using the flowers, Bilvam and Kumkum
and turmeric powder. One coconut is broken there by each. We have to take the other two
coconuts and break in at another place inside the temple after the Poojaa. After the
Poojaa an Aaratee is lighted and passed to all to show to their respective idols. After
the Poojaa is over, the Pujaaree announces that Daan (donation) of Vastra (cloth),
Panchpatra etc has to be done as part of Parihaar but as people do not brought these
items with them, they can give Rs. 60 as Dakshina to the priest. Every one willingly
gives it as the Poojaa is performed very satisfactorily. The snake replicas have to
be put in Hundee by the Poojaa performers after the Darshan of Shiv.
After Poojaa and Darshan
After the Poojaa one has to take the 2 remaining
coconuts and go for Darshan. The people with Rs. 750 and above tickets are
eligible for free special Darshan. It is written on the ticket that two
people are allowed but they allow four or a family free without any objection.
Paid special Darshan costs Rs. 50 each. Please keep the Poojaa ticket carefully
as it is needed till you exit the temple. Visit the Paataal (underground) Ganapati
Temple inside.
Go slow
Please do not be in a hurry to finish everything fast. Our astrologer says
that spending 2-3 hours is very good and inside the temple and that itself
is part of the Parihaar. Have faith and do not look for results immediately.
Take all happenings as God's Prasaad.
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