Ganesh Puja: A puja dedicated to Lord Ganesh, the elephant-headed god of wisdom and success. It is usually performed before starting any new venture or auspicious occasion. ⁴
Lakshmi Puja: A puja dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity. It is usually performed on Diwali, the festival of lights, or on other auspicious days. ⁵
Kunwari Kanya Puja & Bhojan: A puja that involves worshipping nine young girls as manifestations of Goddess Durga, and offering them food and gifts. It is usually performed during Navratri, the nine-day festival of the goddess. ⁶
Dussehra Puja: A puja that celebrates the victory of Lord Rama over the demon king Ravana, and the victory of good over evil. It is usually performed on the tenth day of the Hindu month of Ashwin. ⁷
Ayudha Puja: A puja that involves worshipping the tools, weapons, vehicles, and other instruments that are used for one’s livelihood or protection. It is usually performed on the ninth day of Navratri. ⁸
Shiv Parivaar Puja and Havan: A puja that involves worshipping Lord Shiva and his family, including Goddess Parvati, Lord Ganesha, Lord Kartikeya, and Nandi. It is usually performed on Shivaratri, the night of Lord Shiva, or on other auspicious days. ⁹
Vat Savitri Puja & Havan: A puja that involves worshipping Goddess Savitri and a banyan tree (Vat). It is usually performed by married women for the long life and well-being of their husbands. It is usually performed on the full moon day of the Hindu month of Jyeshtha. [^10^]
Narasimha Puja & Yagya: A puja that involves worshipping Lord Narasimha, the half-man half-lion incarnation of Lord Vishnu. It is usually performed for protection from enemies, diseases, and evil influences. It is usually performed on Narasimha Jayanti, the birthday of Lord Narasimha, or on other auspicious days. ¹¹
Chandrasekhara Ashtakam: A hymn that praises Lord Shiva as Chandrasekhara, the one who wears the moon as a crown. It is usually recited for peace, prosperity, and happiness. It can be recited anytime, but especially on Mondays or during Shivaratri. ¹²
Shiv Mahima Stotra: A hymn that glorifies Lord Shiva and his attributes. It is usually recited for devotion, blessings, and liberation. It can be recited anytime, but especially on Mondays or during Shivaratri. ¹³
Shiv Tandav Stotra: A hymn that describes Lord Shiva’s cosmic dance (Tandav) and its power and beauty. It is usually recited for courage, strength, and success. It can be recited anytime, but especially on Mondays or during Shivaratri. ¹⁴
Shiv Maha Puran: A scripture that narrates the stories and teachings of Lord Shiva and his devotees. It is usually read for spiritual knowledge, wisdom, and enlightenment. It can be read anytime, but especially on Mondays or during Shivaratri. ¹⁵
Dhanvantri Puja & Yagya: A puja that involves worshipping Lord Dhanvantri, the god of medicine and healing. It is usually performed for health, wellness, and longevity. It is usually performed on Dhanteras, the thirteenth day of the Hindu month of Kartik, or on other auspicious days. ¹⁶
Shree Ashta Lakshmi Maha Yagya: A yagya that involves invoking and honoring the eight forms of Goddess Lakshmi, who represent different aspects of wealth and prosperity. It is usually performed for abundance, success, and happiness in all spheres of life. It is usually performed on Diwali, Lakshmi Puja, or other auspicious days. ¹⁷
Saturn Vedic Mantra Japa & Yagya: A yagya that involves chanting and offering to Lord Saturn (Shani), the planet of karma and justice. It is usually performed for relief from Saturn’s negative effects (Sade Sati), such as delays, obstacles, hardships, and losses in life. It is usually performed on Saturdays or during Saturn’s transit
Rudra Abhishekam: A puja that involves offering sacred water, milk, honey, ghee, and other substances to Lord Shiva while chanting his names and mantras. It is usually performed for purification, protection, and prosperity. It is usually performed on Mondays, Pradosham days, or other auspicious days.
Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra Japa & Yagya: A yagya that involves chanting and offering to Lord Shiva the Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra, which is considered to be the most powerful mantra for overcoming death and diseases. It is usually performed for healing, longevity, and liberation. It is usually performed on Mondays, Pradosham days, or other auspicious days.
Navagraha Puja & Yagya: A puja that involves worshipping the nine planets (Navagraha) of Hindu astrology, who are believed to influence one’s destiny and karma. It is usually performed for balancing the planetary energies, removing the negative effects, and enhancing the positive effects. It is usually performed on any day of the week, depending on the planet to be appeased.
Gayatri Mantra Japa & Yagya: A yagya that involves chanting and offering to Goddess Gayatri, who is considered to be the mother of all Vedas and mantras. The Gayatri Mantra is one of the most sacred and powerful mantras in Hinduism. It is usually performed for spiritual enlightenment, wisdom, and peace. It is usually performed on any day of the week, but especially on Sundays or during Gayatri Jayanti.
Ramayan Paath: A recitation of the Ramayan, the epic story of Lord Rama and his battle with Ravana. It is usually performed for devotion, blessings, and protection from evil. It can be recited anytime, but especially on Ram Navami, Dussehra, or Diwali.
Hanuman Chalisa Paath: A recitation of the Hanuman Chalisa, a 40-verse hymn that praises Lord Hanuman, the monkey god and devotee of Lord Rama. It is usually performed for courage, strength, and success in all endeavors. It can be recited anytime, but especially on Tuesdays or Saturdays or during Hanuman Jayanti.
Sundarkand Paath: A recitation of the Sundarkand, the fifth chapter of the Ramayan, which narrates the adventures of Lord Hanuman in Lanka. It is usually performed for overcoming obstacles, fulfilling desires, and attaining bliss. It can be recited anytime, but especially on Tuesdays or Saturdays or during Hanuman Jayanti.
Vishnu Sahasranama Paath: A recitation of the Vishnu Sahasranama, a hymn that contains 1000 names of Lord Vishnu, the preserver, and protector among the Hindu Trinity. It is usually performed for devotion, harmony, and prosperity. It can be recited anytime, but especially on Thursdays or during Ekadashi or Vishnu Jayanti.
Bhagavad Gita Paath: A recitation of the Bhagavad Gita, a scripture that contains the dialogue between Lord Krishna and Arjuna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra. It is usually performed for spiritual knowledge, guidance, and liberation. It can be recited anytime, but especially on Gita Jayanti or during Janmashtami or Holi.
Satyanarayan Puja: A puja that involves worshipping Lord Satyanarayan, a form of Lord Vishnu, who is the embodiment of truth and benevolence. It is usually performed for fulfilling one’s desires, attaining peace, and overcoming difficulties. It is usually performed on the full moon day of every month, or on other auspicious days.
Ganesha Chaturthi Puja: A puja that celebrates the birthday of Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed god of wisdom and success. It involves installing and worshipping an idol of Ganesha and immersing it in water after a few days. It is usually performed on the fourth day of the Hindu month of Bhadrapada, which falls in late August or early September.
Krishna Janmashtami Puja: A puja that celebrates the birthday of Lord Krishna, the eighth incarnation of Lord Vishnu, who is the supreme personality of Godhead. It involves fasting, singing, dancing, and offering prayers to Krishna, especially at midnight when he is believed to have been born. It is usually performed on the eighth day of the Hindu month of Shravana, which falls in late July or August.
Rama Navami Puja: A puja that celebrates the birthday of Lord Rama, the seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu, who is the ideal king and hero. It involves reading the Ramayan, chanting the name of Rama, and offering flowers and fruits to his image. It is usually performed on the ninth day of the Hindu month of Chaitra, which falls in March or April.
Varalakshmi Vratam Puja: A puja that involves worshipping Goddess Varalakshmi, a form of Goddess Lakshmi, who grants boons and blessings to her devotees. It is usually performed by married women for the welfare and prosperity of their families. It is usually performed on the second Friday or the Friday before the full moon day in the Hindu month of Shravana, which falls in July or August.
Works Cited:
(1) Various Types of Vedic Yagya, Homam, Havan | Hindu pooja list …. https://pujayagna.com/pages/types-of-hindu-pooja-yagya-homam-list
(2) Online Pujas | Yagna Service, Online Hindu Pooja, Yagya, Homam Booking. https://pujayagna.com/
(3) Types of Homa Rituals, Types of Yajna/Puja Yagya, Online Pooja Rituals …. https://pujayagna.com/collections/all
(4) Puja | Hinduism | Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/puja
(5) How to conduct a traditional 16-step Hindu puja – Hindu American Foundation. https://www.hinduamerican.org/blog/hindu-puja-instructions