Swami Aswathi Thirunal considers pooja as the most important technique in spirituality. He is of the opinion that doing pooja as a ritual without knowing the meaning of mantras and symbolism is not going to give any material or spiritual benefit. One has to lead a yogic life, understand the symbolism, learn the meaning of mantras and rituals to do a pooja. According to him, any person whether man or woman, young or old can do pooja at the temple or home if she or he knows the basics of pooja. Religion, caste, creed, language, sex, etc. is no hindrance for the person who want to do pooja. Swamiji conducts mass yagas and poojas in different temples to teach the people the what, why, when and how of pooja.
“It is absolutely wrong to say that only men should do pooja in the sreekovil. Women have every right to do all those pooja that men do. Some conservatives who are totally ignorant of Hindu religion try to discourage women in spiritual practices. They spread superstitions which are totally against the spirit of Hinduism. Some people who claim to be the authority of Hinduism just because they are born in some so-called upper cast proclaim that, women should not recite Gayatri or Lalithasahasranamam, or engage in temple pooja or homam. The true fact is that, in Hinduism there is no discrimination of any sort against women. Our great Rishis considered man and woman as equal in spirituality. Even a part of the great Vedas was written by women.”
There are special poojas conducted in the Ashram temple, details of those poojas are given below. You can also offer special poojas too, contact Ashram for details. You may please subscribe to our email updates, to be notified of Special Poojas and Samooha Poojas.
Dhanwanthari Pooja
Dhanwanthari is the re-incarnation of Lord Vishnu and is the supreme God of medicine. Dwanwanthari pooja is performed to help people to come out of their ailments. The pooja is conducted with the Moolamantra “Ohm Dwam Dhanwantharaye Namaha”. With this Puja, we seek the blessings of Lord Dhanvanthari through rigorous chanting of the mantras and pray to shower his blessings for the welfare of the devotees.
Maha Saraswathi Pooja
Goddess Saraswathi is the Goddess of knowledge and learning. This is a pooja performed every morning at the ashram temple. The pooja is done with the moola mantra “Ohm Shreem Hreem Saraswathiye Namaha”. This pooja is performed to help students to become excel in their studies. Maha Saraswathy Kavachopasana which is considerd to be the most sacred among poojas is also done every day in the ashram temple.
Sree Mahalakshmi Pooja
Sree Mahalakshhmi is considered to be the Goddess of wealth. Sree Mahalakshhmi Rina Mochaka Pooja is done in our Aadiparasakthy Temple, Tuesdays and Fridays in the evening. This is considered to evoke the blessings of Goddess Mahalakshmi to help devotees in acquiring more wealth and for saving them from financial crises in life.
Sarva Vighneshwari Pooja
Sarva Vighneswari Pooja is a unique pooja performed by those who face a lot of obstacles in their personal, family and career life. This pooja is done every day at the Ashram Temple, during Rahukala time.