Lakshmi Stotram | Lakshmi Puja Lyrics With Meanings in English

Goddess Lakshmi is the consort of Lord Vishnu. She presides over wealth, happiness, and prosperity. She also bestows victory, children, knowledge, food, benevolence, etc., essential for a happy life.

It is believed that it is much easier to obtain the grace of the Goddess than God, just like the love of a mother is more easily available than that from the father.

So, the worship of Lakshmi (also known as Mahalakshmi) holds significant importance during all puja ceremonies.

I am providing the Lakshmi Stotram lyrics in English along with their meanings. Further, I have done the lyrics in Hindi text also at the bottom along with the benefits of worshiping Lakshmi Devi.

Lakshmi Stotram Lyrics

vandE padmakaraam, prasanna vadanaam, soubhaagyadaam, bhaagyadaam,
hastaabhyaam abhaya pradaam, maNigaNair naanaa vidhair bhooshitaam,
bhaktaabhiista phala pradaam, Harihara, Brahmaadibhi ssEvitaam,
paarshvE pankaja, shankha, padma, nidhibhir yuktaam, sadaa shakhti bhihi ||

sarasija nayanE, sarOja hastE, dhavaLataraamsuka gandhamaalya shObhE,
bhagavatee, harivallabhE, manOjnE, tribhuvana bhootakari praseedamahyam || (1)

Meaning of the Above Hymn:

I fold my hands and offer my salutations to Goddess Lakshmi. Her hands are like lotus (or she holds a lotus in her hands). She has a cheerful face and bestows fortunes and prosperity. She offers blessings with a hand and is adorned with various kinds of glowing jewels. She grants the wishes of devotees with fruitful results. She is attended by Vishnu, Shiva, Brahma, and all others. She has on her sides the Lotus, Conch, and all treasures, and is the abode of all Powers.

Hey, Lotus-Eyed and Lotus-Handed Goddess, wearing a fragrant garland of pure-white flowers!
O, consort of Hari, and protector of all the three worlds, please bless us with your motherly grace.

Lakshmeem, ksheera samudraraaja tanayaam, shreeranga dhaaEshwareem,
daaseebhoota samasta dEva vanitaam, lokaika deepaamkuraam,
Shriman manda kataaksha labdha vibhava brahmEndra gangaa dharaam,
tvaam trilOkya kutumbineem, sarasijaam, vandE mukunda priyaam || (2)

Meaning of  the Above Hymn:

O Goddess Lakshmi, Daughter of the King of the Milky Ocean! Who resides in Sri Ranga Dhamam, and is attended to by all divine ladies! You are the sole Glowing Light for this entire Universe. O Goddess, who is the Beloved of Mukunda; residing in the chest of Vishnu, you are obtaining the glory of cheerful (blessing) glances from Brahma and Gangadhar (Shiva). You are the dweller of all the three worlds!

maatar: namaami, kamalE, kamalaayataakshi,
Shri Vishnu hritkamala vaasini, vishva maata,
ksheerOdajE, kamala kOmala garbha Gouri,
Lakshmii praseeda satatam namataam sharaNyE || (3)

Meaning of  the Above Hymn:

O Mother, I pray to you. You are Lotus-bodied, lotus-eyed, and reside in the lotus-like chest of Vishnu. You are the Mother of worlds and offspring of the Milky Ocean, with a glowing lotus-delicate womb. 

O Goddess Lakshmi, I surrender to you. Please always be gracious to me.

Word-To-Word Meanings of Lakshmi Stuti Lyrics

Sloka (1)

Meanings of words:
vande = salutations, padma = lotus, karaam = having hands (like lotus) or holding (a lotus) in hand, prasanna = smiling, vadanaam = faced, soubhaagya = fortune or wellness of the spouse, bhaagya = prosperity, daam = giver, hasta = hands, aabhyaam = medium, abhaya = protection, pradaam = granting, mani = glowing jewel, ganair = others (accessories), naanaa = many, vidha = varieties, bhooshitaam= decorated, bhakta = devotee, abheest = desires, phala = results, pradaam = giver or granter, Hari = Vishnu, Hara = Shiva, Brahma = the creator Brahma, aadibhi = and others, sevitaam = worshipped by, paarshve = on the sides, pankaja = lotus, shankh = the conch, padma = lotus, nidhibhir = treasures, yuktaam = possession, sadaa = always, shakti bhihi = powered.

sarasija nayane = lotus-eyed; saroja haste = her hands are like lotus (soft and beautiful); dhavalataraamsuka = of pure white glow; gandhamaalya = fragrant garland; shObhE = decorated; bhagavati = Goddess; Harivallabhe = consort of Hari or Vishnu; tribhuvana bhoota = living beings of the three worlds;  kari praseeda = please do protect; ahyam = always.

Sloka (2)

Meanings of words:
Lakshmim = to Goddess Lakshmi, ksheer = milk, samudra = ocean, raja = king, tanayaam = daughter, sriranga = name of a place named Sri Rangam in Tamil Nadu, dhaameshwari = Goddess of that place, daasi bhoota = having as servants or getting the services, samasta = all, deva = divine, vanitha = women, loka = world, eka = one or only one, deepaamkuri = emerging light, Sriman = God Vishnu on whose chest Lakshmi resides, manda = serene, kataaksh = glance, labdh = possess, vibhav = prosperity, Brahmendra = Lord Brahma, Gangaa dharaam = one who wears Ganga (Lord Shiva),
tvaam = you, trilokya = three worlds, kutumbineem = having as an abode, sarasija = born from the lotus, Vande = praying with folded hands, Mukund = Vishnu's another name, priyaam = beloved.

Sloka (3)

Meanings of words:
maata = mother, namaami = to offer reverence, kamale = lotus bodied, kamalaayata = wide like petals of lotus, akshi = having eyes, Vishnu = God, hrit kamal = lotus like chest, vaasini = resident, vishwa maata = world's mother, ksheera = milk, udaja = sprouted or offspring, kamal komal = delicate like lotus, garbh = womb, Gouri = shining, glowing bodied, Lakshmi = Goddess, praseeda = to be pleased, satatam = always for ever, namataam = paying respect, sharanye = surrendering.

 Lakshmi Stuti Lyrics in Hindi

वन्दे पद्मकराम प्रसन्न वदनाम सौभाग्यदाम भाग्यदाम
हस्ताभ्याम् अभय प्रदाम् मणि गणैः नाना विधै: भूषिताम्
भक्ताभीश्ट फल प्रदाम् हरिहर ब्रह्मादिभि: सेविताम्
पार्श्वे पंकज शंख पद्म निधिर्भ्युक्ताम् सदा शक्तिभिः ||
सरसिज नयने सरोजहस्ते धवळा तरामसुक गन्धमाल्य शोभे
भगवति हरिवल्लभे मनोज्ञे त्रिभुवन भूतिकरि प्रसीद मह्यं ॥

लक्ष्मीम् क्षीर समुद्रराज तनयाम् श्रीरंग धामेश्वरीम्
दासीभूत समस्त देव वनिताम् लोकैक दीपांकुरॉम
श्रीमन मन्द कटाक्ष लभ्द विभव ब्रह्मेन्द्र गंगाधराम्
त्वाम त्रैलोक्य कुटुम्बिनीम् सरसिजाम् वन्दे मुकुन्द प्रियाम्  ॥

मातर्नमामि  कमले कमलायताक्षि
श्री विष्णु हृत्कमल वासिनि विश्वमात
क्षीरोदजे कमल कोमल गर्भ गौरि
लक्ष्मी प्रसीद सततम् नमताम् शरण्ये  ॥

So, the above are the slokas in the worship of Goddess Lakshmi, which can be recited in a melodious form also as Songs.

Lakshmi's worship can be beneficial in two ways.

The first advantage is, that she gets pleased more easily and grants your wishes.

The second one is, that if Lakshmi gets pleased, then Vishnu also gets pleased and grants His blessings abundantly.

You can do it in a very simple method without going through that elaborate worship mode practiced by many others. If you can sincerely worship her with these simple lyrics, they are enough to obtain her grace.

If you are interested in spending more time with the Goddess, you can perform the kumkuma archana reciting the 108 names of Her. Here is the link for 108 names of Sri Lakshmi.

24 Names of Vishnu | How to Do Vishnu Puja With 24 Names

It is upheld by many seers of Vaishnavism that the 24 Names of Keshava are of special importance out of the 1000 names of God that are known as Vishnu Sahasranamam.

In a previous post, I mentioned performing Achamana or the purification act of body and soul by sipping water 3 times into your mouth (with your bowl-shaped palm) while chanting the primary three names of God. 

After that ritual has been performed, you will start the worship of God Vishnu, reciting the below-mentioned 24 names, popularly known as  "Keshava Nama" in Sanskrit. This worship can be done with flowers and/or akshata or akshintalu (raw rice mixed with turmeric powder that is mostly used for performing puja and, thereafter, for blessing your youngsters at all ceremonies).

These twenty-four names of God Vishnu are a part of the Vishnu Sahasranamam and are treated as most auspicious by all devotees, each name signifying some special quality and attribute of God.

You will be reciting each name and offering the flower or akshata/kumkum to God at each name. You may offer both the flower and akshata interchangeably or even by mixing both on one plate. Offer a flower each for each name or one or two grains of akshata at your convenience.

24 Keshava Namas

First of all, let me be clear that the prefix "Om" refers to the sound which vibrates all through the universe in the form of spiritual sound waves reaching to God.

The suffix "namaha" or "Namah" refers to the fact that "I am saluting" (the performer of this worship), bowing my head, or folding my hands before God.

So both of the above are used as the prefix and suffix in almost all prayers.


1) Om Keshavaaya namaha  ( one who possesses dense, black curled hair. It is also interpreted as one who Himself is Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva. K is for Brahma, and a hidden letter A in 'e' is for Vishnu and 'ish' in esh is for Shiva. The full word of Keshav is broken into K+A+Ishav)

2) Om Naaraayanaaya namaha ( one who has his abode as water/ocean, or,  who is the abode for all living beings. "aayanam" means resting place and "naara" means either water or all living things)

3) Om Maadhavaaya namaha ( one who is the husband of Lakshmi or one who took birth in Madhu creed or family which is a sub-sect of the Yadav vamsha. Further, maa means mother' (Lakshmi) and 'dhava' means husband.)

4) Om Govindaaya namaha (Govinda means "cowherd' or as "the one who regained earth again from netherworld" or as "who can be realized through Vedic chantings alone".)

5) Om Vishnave namaha (One who is present in all the creatures and things of the universe. "Vishnu' means who is present all through the elements of the universe. It may also mean as 'giver' and 'protector')

6) Om Madhusoodhanaaya namaha (One who has conquered a demon named 'Madhu'. Or whose form is like honey. It may also refer to as the stealer of butter/ghee as a child, Lord Krishna. Because 'Madhu' refers to 'honey' and ghee/butter also).

7) Om Trivikramaaya namaha ( One who measured all three worlds with his step, one who covered the entire universe with 3 long steps or who is spread and shines through all 3 Vedas of Rig, Yajur, and Saama. 'Tri' means three and 'Vik' means states and 'ramaaya' refers to one who pleases or shines)

8) Om Vaamanaaya namaha ( One who is beautiful in a dwarf form and spreads the glowing light bestowing pleasures. 'Vaaman' means handsome dwarf)

9) Om Sriidharaaya namaha ( One who is wearing Lakshmi in his heart. 'Sri' refers to Lakshmi and 'Dhar' means one bearing her and giving support)

10) Om Hrusheekeshaaya namaha (One who is the controller of senses. It also refers to one having rays of sun and moon in his hair that give joy to all beings.)

11) Om Padmanaabhaaya namaha (One who has Lotus in his navel, which is an abode of Brahma. It may also refer to his navel being beautiful as lotus. 'Padma' means lotus and 'naabhi' means navel.)

12) Om Daamodaraaya namaha (One who was tied with a rope around his stomach by Yashoda. 'Udara' means stomach and 'daama' means rope or cord. "daama" can also refer to the whole universe and so denotes 'one who has the entire universe in his stomach'.)

13) Om Sankarshnaaya namaha (One who awards the fruits of karma or fate to both living and lifeless beings. Or one who has the dual powers of attraction and repulsion. 'Sankarshana' is also considered as the name of the great serpent, Adishesha, who is a part of God. He is also the Lord of 'Ahamkaara' or ego.)

14) Om Vaasudevaaya namaha (Vaasudeva means son of "Vasudeva". He is Sri Krishna, the first of the four manifestations of Vishnu, others being Sankarshana, Pradyumna, and Aniruddha. These four manifestations are Lords of 4 states of the soul: Chitta (subconscious mind), Ahamkaara (ego), Buddhi (intellect or knowledge), Manas (mind)).
Vasudeva is Lord of 'Chitta' or subconsciousness.

15) Om Pradyumnaaya namaha (Pradyumna means one who is self-glowing. He is enriched with beauty, wealth and lovable appearance. He is the 3rd of the four manifestations of Vishnu and is the Lord of 'Buddhi' or intellect.)

16) Om Aniruddhaaya namaha (Aniruddh means unstoppable. He possesses mighty valor and an uncontrollable form that protect his devotees. He is the 4th manifestation and is the Lord of 'manas' or mind)

17)Om Purushottamaaya namaha (One who is the supreme being or God. 'Purusha' means a person and 'uttama' means supreme. One who is beyond death and life.)

18) Om Adhokshajaaya namaha (One who does not decrease or diminish even after being enjoyed and consumed by all beings. It also means one having the eternal knowledge that is not reachable through our senses.)

19) Om Naarasimhaaya namaha (One who took the form of half-lion and half-man to protect Prahlad and to kill his demon-father "Hiranyakashipu". 'Nara' means man and 'Simha' means lion.)

20) Om Achyutaaya namaha (One who does not fall or lose his powers even after entering this material world. An infallible being. 'Achyuta' means one who does not fall or beget of something. It also means one who keeps Brahma and others infallible.)

21) Om Janaardhanaaya namaha (One who protects his devotees from enemies and miseries. 'Jana' means people, 'aardhan' means miseries or enemies creating miseries)

22) Om Upendraaya namaha (One who appeared as Indra's brother. 'Upendra' means Indra's part or youngster. It is believed that 'Vamana' also resembled Indra's brother when seeking three steps from Mahabali, the demon)

23) Om Haraye namaha (One who removes or evaporates the miseries of his devotees and provides them eternal bliss or moksha)

24) Om Srikrishnaaya namaha (One who is the most beautiful and enchanting with his hue resembling dark clouds. One who is in eternal bliss with his own creations in the form of Sri Krishna)


So, above are the 24 Names of Sri Krishna or Vishnu that are popular as Keshava Namas or The 24 Names of Lord Vishnu.

After performing puja with these names, one may recite some more hymns or slokas of Vishnu, Sri Krishna, Goddess Lakshmi, and Panchaayudha, etc. if he likes and has time to enjoy more time with God. You will be ending the worship offering dhoop (incense odor), deep, naivedya, and Mangala haarati in a simple form.

Vishnu Stuti Lyrics - Meanings - Prayers in Praise of Lord Vishnu in Hindi, English and Telugu Languages

Vishnu stuti or Vishnu stotram is the recitation (or chanting) of verses in praise of Lord Vishnu or Srimannarayana God.


There are basically three most popular verses that are recited daily at homes in praise of Vishnu stuti. These slokas are generally recited after doing worship with the 24 names of Vishnu known as "Keshava Naamaa-s".

So, below are the lyrics presented first in Hindi, then in English Text, and thereafter, in the Telugu language.

After that, the full meanings in the English language are also provided.



Hindi / Sanskrit Language

शान्ताकारम् , भुजगशयनम् ,पद्मनाभम् , सुरेशम् ,
विश्वाकारम् , गगनसदृशम् , मेघवर्णम् , शुभाङ्गम् ,
लक्ष्मीकान्तम् , कमल नयनम् , योगि हृद्यानगम्यम् ,
वन्दे विष्णुम् भव भयहरम् , सर्व लोकैकनाथम  ॥

मेघश्यामम् , पीत कौशेय वासम् ,
श्रीवत्साङ्कम, कौस्तुभोद् भासिताङ्गम् ,
पुण्योपेतम् , पुण्डरीकायताक्षम,
विष्णुम् वन्दे सर्व लोकैकनाथम्   ॥

स शंख चक्रम् , स किरीट कुण्डलम् ,
स पीत वस्त्रम् , सरसी रुहेक्षणम् ,
सहार वक्ष स्थल शोभि कौस्तुभम् ,
नमामि विष्णुम् शिरसा चतुर्भुजम्  ॥


Vishnu Stuti Lyrics in English Text  

shaantaakaaram, bhujaga shayanam, padma naabham, surEsham,
vishwaakaaram, gagan sadrusham, mEgh varNam, subhaamgam,
laxmiikaantam, kamala nayanam, yOgi hrudyaa nagamyam,
vandE vishnum, bhav bhay haram, sarv lOkaikanaatham   || (1)

mEgh shyaamam, peeta kausEya vaasam,
srivatsaangkam, koustubhOdh bhaasitaangam,
puNyOpEtam, pundariik aayataaksham,
vishnum vandE, sarv lOkaikanaatham    || (2)

sa shankh chakram, sa kireet kundalam,
sa peet vastram, sarasee ruhEkshaNam,
sahaar vaksha sthal shObhi kaustubham,
namaami vishnum, sirasaa chaturbhujam   || (3)

Telugu Language

విష్ణు స్తుతి శ్లోకాలు (శ్రీమహావిష్ణు స్తోత్రాలు)

శాన్తాకారం, భుజగ శయనం, పద్మ నాభం, సురేశం,
విశ్వాకారం, గగన సదృశం, మేఘ వర్ణం, శుభాంగం,
లక్ష్మీ కాంతం, కమల నయనం, యోగి హృద్యాన గమ్యం,
వందే విష్ణుం, భవ భయ హరం, సర్వ లోకైక నాథం  ॥

మేఘ శ్యామం, పీత కౌసేయ వాసం,
శ్రీ వత్సాంకం, కౌస్తుభోద్భాసితాంగం  ,
పుణ్యోపేతం, పుండరీకాయతాక్షం,
విష్ణుం వందే సర్వ లోకైక నాథం ॥

స శంఖ చక్రం, స కిరీట కుండలం,
స పీత వస్త్రం, సరసీ రుహేక్షణం,
సహార వక్ష స్థల శోభి కౌస్తుభం,
నమామి విష్ణుం, శిరసా చతుర్భుజం ॥





Meanings in English

Sloka 1) 
Shanta-Karam = One who is peaceful in form; bhujaga shayanam = one who sleeps on a serpent;
Padma naabham = One having his navels like a lotus or the Lotus itself as his navel; surEsham = chief or head of angels; vishwaakaaram = universe shaped;
Gagan sadrusham = sky resembled; Megha varnam = cloud coloured; subhaamgam = auspicious bodied;
LaxmikaanTam = one having Goddess Laxmi as his consort; Kamal nayanam = lotus-eyed;
yogi hridyaangamyam= one who is not reachable or understandable even to yogis or ascetics;
Vande = to pay respect; vishnum = to God Vishnu; Bhava Bhaya haram = who drives away fear;
sarva lOkaikanaatham = the only lord of all world (Sarva means 'all', Loka means 'world'
eka means'one or only' and naatham means' lord').

So, the full meaning of this verse is as follows:

I offer my salutations to that Vishnu, who is of peaceful or serene appearance, one who sleeps on a serpent, one who has lotus as his navel and is the lord of Devas or angels, who is embodiment of the universe and sky shaped, whose colour is like that of clouds, whose body is auspicious, who is having Goddess Laxmi as his consort, whose eyes are like lotus and who is not understandable even to sages, one who removes the fears of worldly beings and who is the only lord of all lokas or universes.


Sloka 2)
megha = cloud, shyaamam= dark colour, pita kauseyam = yellow dress, vaasam = abode or one who resides in, srivatsa = srivatsa mark or sign, aangkam = having on the chest, kaustubha = the jewel of kaustubha, udbhaasita = shining, angam = bodied, punya = holi or pure, oupetam = encircled with, pundarika = lotus petal, aayata = extension, aksham = eyed, vande = to respect or salute, sarva loka = all lokas, ekanaatham = one Lord.

So, the full meaning of the second shloka is as follows:

I offer my salutations to Vishnu, the Lord of all lords, who is cloud hued, and who is dressed in yellow silk garments, whose chest bears the mark of srivatsa emblem, whose body glows with the kaustubha jewel, who is embodied with holiness, and whose eyes are wide like lotus petals.


Sloka 3)
sa = with or one who is having, sankha = the conch, chakram = round ring or wheel, kireeta = crown,
kundalam = earrings, peeta vastram = yellow golden dress, sarasi = born from lake (Lotus), ruhekshanam = resembling eyes ( ruha = resemblance, akshanam = possessed eyes), sa haara = with garland, vaksha sthal = chest, shobhi= adorned, kaustubham = kaustubh mani (jewel),
namaami = saluting, Vishnum = to Vishnu, sirasaa = with my head, chaturbhujam = four armed.

The full meaning of this third sloka is as follows:

I salute by bowing my head to that four armed Vishnu, who holds the conch (named as paanchajanya) in one hand and the holy wheel (known as Sudarshan chakra) in another hand, one who is adorned with a beautiful crown and earrings, and dressed in yellow golden-silk dhoti, one who has lotus like eyes and is wearing a garland with a kaustubha mani (jewel) on his chest.

So, these are the three popular slokas recited daily during prayers for Vishnu. In the next post, I will tell you about the Lakshmi stuthi or slokas recited addressing Goddess Lakshmi.

Puja of Lord Vishnu or Lakshmi Narayana | How to Perform Puja at Home

First of all, I request viewers to bear with me for being more preferential to Lord Vishnu or Sri Lakshminarayan in my articles, as I am a Vaishnavite.


I will be posting about Lord Shiva also in my later posts.


So, presently, I am dealing with my Vaishnava sampradayam series of performing puja at home.



How to Start Puja of Lord Vishnu

• First, you will render the prayers to Lord Ganesha by chanting "suklam baradharam vishnum" and other hymns on Ganesha. You may view the meanings of suklam baradharam vishnum meaning at this link.

• Thereafter, chant the Guru stuti or acharya vandanam hymns, paying your respects to the tree of teachers and saints of your creed. You can view these hymns also with their full meanings at this Link.

Thereafter, you are required to purify your body and soul by sprinkling water on your head and taking water three times into your mouth chanting some mantra and names of God.

Three Names of God to perform Achamana before starting the worship:

1. Om Achyutaaya namaha
2. Om Anantaaya namaha
3. Om GOvindaaya namaha

The whole procedure is elaborated in full details as below:

a) Atma Shuddhi or Purification of Soul and Body 
This purification is done by chanting the below mentioned Atma shuddhi mantra or verse.

English Text

Om, apavitra pavitrO vaa, sarvaavasthaam gatO pi va,
yah smarEt pundariikaaksham, sa baahyaabhyantarah suchihi ||

Hindi Text

ओम, अपवित्र: पवित्रोवा सर्वावस्थम् गतो पि व ,
यह पठेत पुण्डरीकाकक्षम् ,  स बाह्याभ्यन्तर: सुचिः ॥

Telugu Text

ఓం , అపవిత్ర పవిత్రోవా , సర్వావస్టాం  గతో పి వ  
య: స్మరేత్ పుండరీకాక్షం స బాహ్యా భ్యంతర శుచి: ॥  



Meaning in English
apavitra = impure; pavitra = pure; sarvaavastham = all conditions; gato pi = passed through, va = or;
yah = this; smaret = remembering; pundarika = butterfly or black bee found on trees and plants ( but many people associate lotus also to this word); aksham = eyed; sa = for or with;
baahyabhyah = along with outer, antara = inner, suchihi = (for) cleanliness or purification.

So the essence of this mantra is:-
Whether pure or impure, or might have passed through all other conditions of life, I am remembering the butterfly-eyed (or lotus-eyed ) God Vishnu, for outer and inner purification.

• So, you will first recite the above mentioned Atma shuddhi mantra and then sprinkle the drops of water on your head three times from the puja glass or rounded tumbler using your right-hand thumb chanting "pundariikaakshaaya namaha" all the three times as mentioned below.

b) Achamana or taking water into mouth 3 times

This puja starting mantra is that of performing Aachamanam. This procedure is as follows. 

You will be keeping pure water at puja place in a glass or tumbler that is to be used only for puja purposes. That container should not be used for other purposes. You will be washing it and filling fresh water daily for puja. 

A separate new spoon or a spoon-like thing known as uddharini is used for taking water from it for these purposes.

• Now, after completion of Atma suddhi as mentioned at the above top Atma suddhi verses, you will be performing Achamanam. 
• Three names of God are recited while taking water 3 times into your mouth. 
• Hold your right palm like a bowl and draw the water from the container using the spoon with your left hand and pour it into the bowl-shaped palm and drink the water reciting each name.
• While drinking the water, you have to take the names of God as follows in the same sequence.
• First name to be recited is "Om achyutaaya namaha" and drink the water. ( achyutaaya means one who has no perishability or destruction).
• The second name is "Om anantaaya namaha" and drink water ( anantaaya means one who has no beginning nor ending).
• The third name is "Om Govindaaya namaha" and drink the water ( Govindaaya means one who is the finder of cows or head of cows).

In this way, the Aachamanam is performed before starting puja. Thereafter, you can start the worship with flowers or turmeric mixed rice - which I am dealing with in my next post.

A Holy Dip in the Holy Waters at Kumbh Mela or Pushkar Events

The Ardh Kumbh Mela or Half  Kumbh Mela event will take place in the first quarter of the year 2019 on the banks of River Ganges at Prayag, Allahabad.

You must have come across these terms 'holy river' or 'holy water' many times if you are in India or living with Indian Community in your circles.

What is a Holy River and Why it is Holy

The river Ganges or 'Ganga' is considered as a very pious and holy river with magical attributes since history immemorial. The Vedas and Puranas glorified "Ganga" as the Holy Mother purifying human beings from their sins. It is believed that the river was formed from heavenly nectar that descended to earth with the help of Shiva on the severe penance of  Bhagiratha who brought it down to give rebirth to his ancestors. So, the starting point of Ganges is known as Bhagiratha tirtha on the Himalayas. Since it was brought down to earth for giving rebirth or salvation to the ancestors and as it contains heavenly nectar which makes life eternal with no death, people believe that whoever takes bath in this river gets rid of all sins and attains moksha which is free of death and earthly attachments.

What is Holy Water?

Holy water refers to the water of Ganges and that of other rivers during some auspicious moments or periods. The waters of other rivers are treated as 'holy water' during the time periods of the occasions of Kumbh Mela or Pushkar that occur at each 12-year gaps.

Normal water is also converted into holy water by sprinkling a drop or two of the holy water into it that can be used for religious and other auspicious purposes. That is why some people carry holy water in bottles to their homes after bathing at Kumbh Mela or Pushkar occasions. That water is stored and used for a lengthy period on such auspicious occasions.

Kumbh Mela

Kumbh Mela is celebrated after completion of every 3 years at each one of these four places rotationally:- Haridwar, Prayag, Nasik, and Ujjain. The rivers of these four places are respectively as follows.

• River Ganges at Haridwar
• The confluence of 3 rivers - Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati at Prayag in Allahabad.
• River Godavari at Nashik
• River Shipra at Ujjain.

So, each of these four places celebrates the Kumbh Mela after every 12 years gap.

Four Kumbh Mela Places & Duration of Celebrations

1. Allahabad- During Magha masa or for approximately 45 days during the months of January-February.
2. Haridwar-  During Chaitra masa or for approx. 45 days during March-April.
3. Ujjain-       During Vaishakha masa or approximately 45 days during April-May.
4. Nashik-     During bhadrapada masa or approx. 45 days during August-September.

Pushkar or Pushkaralu

As per Hindu mythology, "Pushkar" is the name of one great pious person or angel who can live in water and purify the waters. So, Jupiter requests him to travel along with him all through the years and keep purifying all waters of all rivers. Pushkar accepts Jupiter's request and started to live in the rivers along the path of Jupiter.

One day's travel of Jupiter is equal to one year for us human beings.

'Pushkaram' is the event of celebration when Jupiter enters into one of the zodiac signs and remains there for one year. The first twelve days are most important and known as adi Pushkaram and the last twelve days are known as Antya Pushkaralu.

As per Hindu astrology, there are twelve rashis in each year which are known as zodiac signs. Each zodiac sign is associated with a river. So, when Jupiter enters a particular zodiac sign each year, the river associated with that sign becomes the place of pushkaram for that year. In this way, each river celebrates pushkaram on their turn every 12 years. So, the cities and towns on the banks of each of these 12 rivers celebrate pushkaram or holy dips (also known as pushkaralu in Andhra Pradesh) every 12 years.

The Rivers and their corresponding zodiac signs: 
(The Hindu astrological Rashi names are also given for each zodiac sign in brackets)

Chart showing River Names and Corresponding zodiac signs with a period of their occurrence

RIVER	Zodiac sign	Period
Ganges	Aries         (mesh rashi)	March-April
Narmada	Taurus      (vrushabh rashi)	April-May
Saraswati	Gemini     (mithun rashi)	May-June
Yamuna	Cancer      (kark rashi)	June-July
Godavari	Leo            (simha rashi)	July-August
Krishna	Virgo         (kanya rashi)	August-September
Kaveri	Libra          (tula rashi)	September-Oct.
Bhīma/Tamraparni	Scorpio     (vrushchik rashi)	October-Nov.
Tapti/ Brahmaputra	Sagittarius (dhanur rashi)	November-Dec.
Tungabhadra	Capricorn  (makar rashi)	December-January
Sindhu	Aquarius   (kumbh rashi)	January-Feb.
Pranhita	Pisces        (meena rashi)	February-March

So, for Kumbh Mela purpose, the above mentioned four places of Allahabad(Prayag), Haridwar, Nashik, and Ujjain are famous where tens of millions of people gather to take bath in the holy river.

Regarding pushkaralu, all the places falling on the banks of above mentioned 12 rivers are believed to be auspicious and holy.

So, devotees flock to any place whichever is nearer to them to take a dip in the holy waters on that occasions.

But, much importance is given to those places only with major waters flowing in abundance. It might also be due to the location of famous temples in those places.

People pray to God while taking bath chanting God's name or some hymns and take three dips into the waters. Then, they go to the temple on the banks and offer prayers and take blessings of God.

For some more details about Kumbh Mela or Maha Kumbh, you may visit this post.