Pooja vs Homam....

Aum Namah Shivaya

Mahaganapathy Homam

Lord Ganesha (elephant faced God) is always worshipped before starting any Pooja or Homa. Lord Ganesha removes all obstacles. Lord Ganesha is also known as ‘Vigneshwara’ [vigna + Eswara] which means the lord who removes all obstructions (Vighna). * Performing Ganapathy Homa once every year will give prosperity, health and wealth. * Ganapathy Homa should be performed on all auspicious occasions. * If any one is running Ketu dasa or bhukti or there is some dosha of Ketu in the horoscope, he can perform Ganapathy Homa and get-relief. * Performing Ganapathy Homa once every year will give prosperity, health and wealth. * Ganapathy Homa should be done on Shukla Chathurthi day of Bhadrapad i.e. the birth day of Lord Ganesha.

Navagraha Homam

This homa has the power to counter flaws in the horoscope and enable a person to prosper in life in case astrological defects are the main blocks to his well-being. The homa is done to appease the nine planets i.e. the Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn, Rahu, and Ketu. Every planet has its own importance. Sun is the king of planets which gives health. Moon is the planet which rules over mind and gives success. Mars or Mangala is the planet which gives prosperty and wealth. Mercury is the planet which gives knowledge, Jupiter gives education, Venus gives the knowledge of art, music etc. Saturn gives happiness and also teaches vairagya. Rahu makes the life stronger. Ketu prospers the family.

Bad times are attributed to the different Grahas (Planets) and their position in the current time. These Grahas can be appeased by performing the Grah shanti Puja. Navagraha homam is used to remove Doshas or reduce the effect by appeasing these planets. -Is done to obtain navagrahas anugraha, even if they were placed in disadvantageous positions in your horoscope. -By doing this homa, navagraha doshas are removed and good results will accrue.

Maha Lakshmi Homam

You must perform this homam when you are facing financial difficulties and wish to earn wealth in abundance. For improvement in Financials and also for recovery of dues, which are said to bestow different benefits to the performer of this homa. Even the mere recitation of these mantras, bestow prosperity.

In the puranas, this homam is said to bring the following to the devotee:
* Prosperity
* Domestic animals
* Food grains
* Ownership of Land
* Good servants
* Fame
* Royal influence
* Mental strength
* Attainment of horses
* Attainment of elephants
* Clothes
* Progeny
* Vehicles
* Mystical powers

Lakshmi Kubera Homam

Lakshmi-Kubera Homam is performed for the purpose of gaining legitimate wealth. Those who are involved in business or are facing financial problems may perform this Homam to receive the blessings and grace of Goddess Lakshmi.

Swayamvara Parvathy Homam

For happy married life and nullify delays in marriage. This is a very effective puja for getting married. Swayamvara Parvathy Homam Dedicated to Goddess Parvathy. The divine mother took the incarnation of Goddess Parvati in order to get married to Lord Shiva. None other than Lord Shiva himself gave the Swayamvara Parvati mantra to Goddess Parvati. This enabled her to reunite with her divine consort. By performing the Swayamvara Parvati homa, various obstacles that delay any marriage are removed. The eligible bride or groom is blessed with suitable spouse.

Ayush Homam

This Homam is done to worship the god of life (Ayur Devatha ). By doing this Homam, one gets long life blessings from Ayur Devatha. Sage Bodhayana explains Ayushya homam in the Bodhayana sutras.
According to him, if a child is constantly ill, this Homam could be performed on a monthly basis till the child attains good health. But in general, this is performed once a year on the day of the star in which the child is born. It is started on the day the child completes one year of age. In case one is unable to perform it on this day, it should be done on the consecutive month. It may be done even on a monthly basis. You will need to perform this Homam on the Star (Nakshaktra) birth date of the child. It is very important that you do it on the first birth day. Optionally, you can perform it on the other birthdays too. By performing the Ayushya homa, the evil effects caused by tithi [day of the fortnightly], vara [day of the week], nakshatra [star] are eradicated. It bestows longevity, and good health.

Purusha Suktha Homam

Santhana Gopala Homam is also called the Purusha Suktha Homam. This is dedicated to Lord Mahavishnu. None other than Lord Maha Vishnu himself bestowed knowledge of this homa on Sanatkumara, who in turn instructed this to sage Bodhayana. It is stated in the Suta Samhita:

Putrapradam Aputraanaam Jayadam Jayakaaminaam Bhuktidam Bhuktikaamaanaam Mokshadam Moksha Kaaminaam

This means that those who wish progeny, success in endeavors, worldly enjoyment and the final emancipation shall attain it by performing this homam. It is said that one attains this human birth by performing meritorious deeds in the past lives. In order to continue the lineage of ours it is necessary that we be blessed with healthy progeny. The Purusha sukta homa is said to be equal to the Putra kameshti yagna narrated in the Ramayana in providing healthy progeny to the performer. The hymn glorifies Lord Vishnu as the Purusha or the primordial being with innumerable heads, eyes and feet. The Lord is depicted as the cause of all living beings. It further describes the manner in which different species occur from his various limbs. The hymns are sixteen in number.

Mahamritunjaya Homam

Maha Mruthyunjaya Homam is dedicated to Lord Shiva to avoid untimely death. The Mruthyunjaya Homam is performed to achieve Jaya or Victory over Mritya or death. The object of worship of this homa is Lord Shiva. One of the synonyms of Lord Shiva is Mrityu. Mrityu which means death of the death or the destroyer of death. During this homa one chants 21 mantras. The prominent offerings in this homa are durva grass and an herb called amrita. The former is famous for purifying blood and the latter is used as a medicine for incurable diseases like arbuda or cancer. Since these are used as offerings in this homa, it is believed that this homam bestows longevity on the performer. The hymns are devoted to Mrityu, the God of death, praying for long life. These hymns are used in the purnahuti or the final offering in the famous Soma sacrifice. This homa also alleviates Mrityu dosha or untimely death.

Sudharshana Homam

Maha Sudarsana Homam for removal of all enemies and avoiding accidents. The desires of human beings are innumerable and they vary in nature. As a result, the sufferings they might undergo also are many. Sometimes it may result in incurable diseases. It cannot be said that all sufferings and ailments afflicting mankind have human solutions. There are many things, which are beyond the work of human domain. These were the areas where divine intervention was sought by the ancient seers. This is where the mantras play a vital role. The mantras were the tools, which were used by the sages to free the world from sufferings. "mantaram trayate iti mantra" mantras are mystic syllables that free the chanter from inflictions. In the Vaishnava agamas the Sudharsana mantra is a very prominent one. The Sudharsana Chakra or the divine disc of Maha Vishnu is one of the Lords prominent weapons in annihilating evil forces. The Sudharsana yantra is also as important as the Sudharsana mantra. Usually Lord Sudharsana is seen installed with eight or sixteen hands in Vishnu temples It is stated in the Ahirbhudniya Samhita that when the devotees are suffering from the afflictions caused by incurable diseases, sorcery, or enemies, Lord Sudharsana dispels his fierce form and comes to their protection. When the last rites of the dead are not performed properly it might sometimes result in the sufferings of the progeny belonging to later generations. Scriptures state that performing the Sudharsana homa could alleviate the sufferings of this nature. Performance of this homa also stops the danger or perils which may possibly occur in future.

Bhoo Varaha Homam

This homam is dedicated to Lord Mahavishnu .This homa is done to remove ill effects of not constructing a house according to the tenets of the Vaastu Sastra, which prescribes various principles and techniques for constructing houses and temples. Houses, which are not built according to this science, are said to invite various problems like diseases, marital disharmony, problems in the family, loss in business etc. These problems could be overcome by performing the Bhoo varaha Homam, more simply called the Bhoo varaha Homa. This homa is performed as a part of Grihapravesa (house warming) ceremonies for the overall happiness for those who live in the house.

Sri Suktha Homam

The Sri Suktha Homam is a very powerful homam performed for ushering prosperity and wealth. Sri Suktha Homa can be conducted for those who are seeking wealth and prosperity in life. It is strongly recommended for those facing financial difficulties and wish to earn wealth in abundance. It is believed to bestow immense benefits to the performer of this homa.
You must perform this homam when you are facing financial difficulties and wish to earn wealth in abundance. The best day to perform Sri Suktha is on a Friday.

Chandi Homam

The purpose of the Chandi Homam is to remove any obstacles or blocks in growth – both internally and externally – for a person or a group of people. The mantra for Chandi Devi is called Navakshari or the one with nine-syllables. The mantra is Aim Hrim Klim Chamundaye Vichhe. The core of the homam ceremony involves a recitation of the Durga Saptashati or 700 verses in praise of the goddess Durga. With the recitation of each verse, offerings are made in the sacrificial fire invoking the goddess. The Durga Saptasati is 13-chapter narration from Markandeya Purana attributed to the rishi Markandeya. In a workbook-like, fascinating, allegoric way the verses demonstrate how the Goddess Chandi vanquishes and anihilates the two demons Shumbha (or Pride) and Nishumbha (or Shame), slaying the negativities of Indulgence and Denial, restoring the equilibrium necessary for perfection. By performing the Chandi homa, the sufferings that are caused by hostile elements are eradicated. The sufferings resulting from poison, sorcery, thieves etc. are removed by performing this homa. There is a popular Puranic saying kalau chandi vinayakau in this age of kali, only two Gods respond immediately to the prayers of devotees, they are Goddess Chandi and Lord Ganesha. The tantric texts Marichi Kalpa Vaarahi tantra and Chidambara rahasyam state the following as benefits of Chandi homa attainment of health, wealth, prosperity, longevity, food, wealth, progeny,fame, success, strength, removal of fear, ailments, danger, defeat in the hand of adversaries etc. By performing the homa five times, evil planetary influences are removed. The performance of this homa seven times removes all fears, performance eleven times begets royal influence and sixteen times begets progeny. This is an elaborate ritual and therefore costs much more than other homams.

Saraswati Homam

Saraswati is the Goddess of leaming, knowledge, and wisdom. The Sanskrit word sara means "essence" and swa means "self." Thus Saraswati means "the essence of the self." Saraswati is represented in Hindu mythology as the divine consort of Lord Brahma, the Creator of the universe. She possesses the powers of speech, wisdom and learning. She has four hands representing four aspects of human personality in learning; mind, intellect, alertness and ego. Since knowledge is necessary for creation, Saraswati symbolizes the creative power of Brahma. Goddess Saraswati is worshipped by all persons interested in knowledge, especially students, teachers, scholars, and scientists.

Shri Rudra Homam

The Sri Rudram chant is an ancient Vedic hymn, and is the oldest example of a listing of various names of Lord Siva. Through the chanting of Sri Rudram, Lord Sivas various attributes and aspects are invoked and worshipped. Chanting the Rudram is considered to be of great benefit. The Rudra homa is resorted to in times of fear and concern. The powerful chant accompanying this ritual today is a collection of about 82 mesmerizing suktas taken primarily from the Yajur veda. Of these 66 to 69 suktas are addressed directly to the divinity of Rudra. These elaborate suktas are the outpourings of Parameshti Kutsa rishi The remaining ones are addressed in the original Vedas, to various deities such as Mrtyunjaya, Agni, Prajapati and Atma. In usage however all these have been gathered under the terms Shri Rudram, Shatarudriyam, Rudradhyaya and Rudra Prasna. Reciters also classify parts of the ShriRudram as namakas and chamakas based on the recurrences of the words nama and chamey.

Guru Preethi homam

There is a Tamil saying that Lord Guru's look will fetch a lot of blessings from Him. Lord Guru is also called Brahaspathi due to his excellence in education and fine arts. Brahaspathi worshipped in three temples in Tamil Nadu: Thenkudi Thittai, Thiruvalidayam and Tiruchendur.
There is a temple dedicated to Lord Guru at Alangudi, which is near Needamangalam, in Tiruvarur district of Tamil Nadu. The main deity of the Alangudi temple is Lord Abathsahayeswarar and the Ambal's name is Ezhavaar Kuzhali. The Puranas say that Lord Guru was born to Saint Angirasa and Vasuda. Lord Guru is considered supreme in intelligence and so is the teacher of the Devas and a minister in Lord Indra's court.

Sani Preethi Homam

Saturn (Shani) is darkness, the enemy of light. When it is well placed in the seventh house, or well aspected, it gives its natives integrity, wisdom, spirituality, fame, patience, ability to lead, authority, long life, organizational abilities, sincerity, honesty, love of justice, awareness of right and wrong (because it rules the inner conscience), nonattachment, and asceticism.
When it is ill-posited or ill-aspected it brings miseries, sorrow, delay, obstruction, disappointment, disharmony, disputes, dejection, difficulties, despondency, and destruction (death). It makes its natives undisciplined, irresponsible, dishonest, dull, addicted to drugs, sadistic, greedy, lonely and afraid. Accidents, humiliation, prison, lawsuits, suicidal tendencies, fear of theft, thefts, blame, enmity, pessimism, and premature aging are also attributed to an ill-aspected or ill-posited Saturn.
In the body, Saturn rules the nails, hair, teeth, bones, and nervous system .Diseases of the ears, jaundice, gout, deafness, depression, anxiety, insanity, and asthma are also connected with a Saturn that is ill-aspected or badly placed in the birth chart.
Saturn is symbolic of cruelty and irritations in life for people. It is adverse in nature. It originates apprehensions of chronic diseases, accidents, enmity, financial crisis, depression of mind and retardation in business.
It is believed that the Sani Preethi Homam is one of the best remedies by which the malefic effects of Saturn can be minimized and the good effects be increased.

Dhanavantri Homam

This homa is dedicated to the Indian God of medicine, Dhanavantri who is also the origin of the Indian form of medicine, Ayurveda.
Sri Dhanvanthri is a manifestation of Sri Mahavishnu. When the great ocean of milk was churned, Sri Dhanvanthri came out of it with Amrutha Kalasa. This homam is believed to alleviate physical ailments and bestow good health.