Who should worship? Why?

- The worship of the eternal and unique supreme Lord Swaminarayan Bhagwan, who transcends the countless universes, is performed.
- Swaminarayan Bhagwan is our chosen deity.

- To express gratitude towards the chosen deity, to respectfully honor and revere, to dedicate oneself or merge into Him, and to thereafter express heartfelt gratitude or appreciation for being united with Him, is what constitutes worship.

- After the night passes and every morning, when we awaken, we are bestowed with a new life, a new day, new moments, new enthusiasm, new strength, and new inspiration, for which we silently express our gratitude. Therefore, at this most auspicious moment of the morning, saying "Thank You" to the Lord becomes our worship.

What is Nitya Pooja?

- Daily worship of the eternal supreme Lord Swaminarayan is called Nitya Puja.

- Nitya Puja means communion with the beloved deity.

- Nitya Puja means sweet fellowship with the Lord.

- Nitya Puja means establishing a state free from obstacles.

- Nitya Puja means a time of intimate, devoted, and solitary communion with the Lord.

- Nitya Puja means experiencing the utmost joy, being immersed in love, and experiencing the Lord's utmost satisfaction.

- Nitya Puja means an opportunity to meet the Lord.

Who has the right to worship?

Shriji Maharaj instructed every individual, including children, adolescents, youth, married individuals, and ascetics, to perform daily worship. Shriji Maharaj and senior saints have advised that children should start daily worship at the age of 8, and it should be continued regularly until the age of 80. Even beyond 80, if one's health permits and physical activities are manageable, then daily worship can be continued. There is no fault if daily worship cannot be performed due to physical incapacity. Therefore, the daily worship of the supreme Lord Swaminarayan should be performed throughout life, up to the last breath, without any interruption.

Why is Nitya Pooja done personally?

Lord Swaminarayan is omnipresent in the form of a Murti in temples and in our ghar mandirs at home. We can certainly perform pooja at both these places, but these are places where the pooja service is shared. Lord Swaminarayan has emphasized on doing personal pooja rather than just participating in poojas which are done collectively as a group. Collective pooja and personal pooja are completely different; there is no comparison between the two. For example, when we feel cold and someone else puts on a jacket on our behalf, we will not stop feeling cold. In order to alleviate the cold, we will have to wear the jacket ourselves. The same goes for when we are hungry, thirsty, and sleepy; we have to satisfy our own personal needs, no other person can do it for us. Similarly, daily pooja is something we have to do for ourselves; it is as personal as doing any of the above-mentioned activities. Personal pooja means personal grooming, personal seva, personal happiness, personal meeting, and personal joy.

Something to remember while doing Nitya Pooja

- Puja is not just a process. Puja is not a license to eat.

- Puja is never mechanical.

- Puja should not be done out of obligation.

- There shouldn't be laziness in doing puja.

- Excuses like "it can be done later," "not feeling like doing it today," or "what difference will it make if I skip it for a day" should not be entertained..

- Once puja is done, one should not neglect putting the sacred ash (vibhuti) on the forehead.

- Puja should not become a routine without devotion.

- A puja done with a dry heart is not accepted by the Lord.

- Puja should not be misunderstood as just sitting.
- Puja should not be done during mourning days. However, applying tilak, doing mental worship, or wearing garlands is permissible.

- Puja should be done whether at home, abroad, in the village, or in a foreign land, whether it's summer or winter, and regardless of any other circumstances.

- If one is accustomed to doing puja at home but goes out, they should not skip it.

Avoid such excuses and avoid the shame of leaving puja. These excuses don't stop one from shaving every day, so why stop the worship of God? God is our life, our breath, our heart. Without worshipping Him, how can we go a day without Him?

When to do nitya pooja?

The ideal time to do daily pooja is during brahmamuhurta (the one-and-a-half-hour period before sunrise). Brahma means God and the time to connect with God is referred to as brahmamuhurta. Thus, Lord Swaminarayan has instructed all his followers to perform pooja only in the morning but not at any other time of the day. It should be the first thing to be done after showering then should our daily social activities be carried out. At this time the mind is quiet, pleasant and at ease since the daily activities have not yet begun. This makes it the optimal time to connect with Maharaj. As a result, it requires the least number of efforts to engage in Maharaj and to a certain point, happens inevitably. Our life goal becomes clearer so that even in daily activities there is a pursuit of it.

Where can one do nitya pooja?

An ideal place to perform daily pooja is a quiet and isolated place free of any disturbances. It should also be clean and divine. When at home, ensure to mop the area before sitting to do pooja. If we live nearby a mandir, it is best that we do pooja in the mandir. The atmosphere in the mandir is clean, pure and divine; it is where one is able to do pooja with utmost concentration and develop a stronger connection with Maharaj. Thus, HDH Swamishri has expressed a wish that devotees living close to the mandir should compulsorily perform pooja at the mandir.

How to do nitya pooja?
The appropriate attire for nitya pooja

Lord Swaminarayan has instructed us to wear clean and washed clothes which have not come in contact with other unwashed clothes. It is mandatory for male devotees to wear a dhoti (traditional Indian wear) and an uparani (a piece of clothing to don on the upper half). Female devotees should wear an appropriate traditional Indian dress to perform nitya pooja.The most appropriate manner to drape a dhoti is to make sure that all of its four corners are tucked in. The dhoti cloth should not be wrapped around the waist like a towel or a lungi. Do not feel embarrassed to wear a dhoti; it is Maharaj’s command and think of it as a way to please Him.Since it is our personal meeting with Maharaj, it is important to wear appropriate clothing in order to maintain respect of Maharaj. Wearing pants and shirts is considered inappropriate according to the Indian traditional culture. One should not do nitya pooja wearing a lungi, shorts, towel, or pajamas and tank. Nor should one do it with a bare upper body. Imagine if we had a meeting with a celebrity, would we go in our towel or a lungi with a bare upper body? No. Therefore, during our daily pooja, where we meet our beloved Maharaj, we should also avoid clothes that come across as disrespectful.

The clothes for pooja should be kept separate from the rest of our wardrobe. They should be kept in their respective place right after completing the pooja.

Steps of pooja

(1) Layout the asan (2) Do tilak-chandlo (3) Do mansipooja (4) Unfold the murtis. (5) Recite the invitation mantra (6) Do mala (7) Do taap mala (8) Do pradakshina (9) Do dandvat (10) Offer Prasad (11) Pray (12) Fold the murtis (13) Read the books
After bathing men devotees should prepare themselves for pooja by donning a dhoti and uparani and women devotees should wear separate washed clothes for pooja.

(1) Layout the asan:

(1) Layout the asan:

To begin the pooja, first lay out an asan, most preferably made from wool, for us. It should be free of any damage and dirt. After sitting on the asan, open the pooja box. Make sure to keep the pooja box clean and pure.

Then, layout a minimum of two to three asans to place the Murtis. When guests come to our home, we replace our old bed sheets and cushions with new ones. Similarly, we should keep new and clean asans for Maharaj (preferably made from soft materials, such as silk). Ensure to keep the asans free of any dirt, stains, wear and tear. The asans should be washed once at least every 15 or 30 days.

Prepare an adequate asan by rolling-in a small portion of the upper side of the asan to make a pillow for the Murtis. At first, place the Murtis in a stacked form on the asan. Place the four pooja books in a pile on the asan; “Shikshapatri Sar,” “Vachanamurt Sar,” “Bapashri ni Tunki Vato,” and “Hari ne game eva thavuj che”. At last, prasadi should also be prepared in its respective bowl and placed on the asan.

(2) Tilak-Chandlo:

The tilak is a representation of Lord Swaminarayan, while the chandlo is an identification of a mukta. Just like how the chandlo is in the tilak, muktas are in Maharaj’s Murti. Thus, the tilak-chandlo is a representation of the sthiti of an Anadimukta.This is why Motapurush have taught us to begin our pooja by immersing ourselves into the role of an Anadimukta while applying the tilak-chandlo by imagining that Maharaj, Himself, is applying the tilak-chandlo on His forehead, arms and chest.

Lord Swaminarayan has instructed all male devotees to do a tilak and chandlo on their forehead, chest and both forearms (The tilak should be of sandalwood paste and the chandlo on the forehead should be applied with kumkum whereas the chandlo on the other areas should be applied with sandalwood paste.) All female devotees are instructed to apply only a small kumkum chandlo on their foreheads.

(3) Mansi pooja:

Mansi pooja should be done with our eyes closed. During pooja we perform the first mansi pooja where we mentally wake up Maharaj and have Maharaj perform daily morning routine. While bathing Maharaj, ensure the temperature of the water is according to the season (hot in the winter and cold in the summer). Then, groom Maharaj with beautiful pieces of clothing and jewellery. Sit Maharaj on a divine throne and do arti. Then, offer Maharaj breakfast of sweetened milk and snacks. At last, perform Maharaj’s pooja with sandalwood paste and flowers.

(4) Unfold the Murtis:

Do not consider the Murtis as photographs, it is the divine form of Maharaj, Bapa and the sadgurus. First, touch the divine feet of Maharaj, then lightly wipe the Murti with a soft, clean piece of cloth as a representation of bathing Maharaj. Then, place the Murti on the asan. Repeat the procedure for all the Murtis. During this process be mindful of not hurting Maharaj in any way.

Our devotion for Maharaj is like that of a woman towards her husband. We uphold the supreme upasana. Thus, our pooja should contain the Murti of supreme Lord Swaminarayan, Jivanpran Abji Bapashri (who has taught us the true form of Lord Swaminarayan) and the sadgurus of our grand tradition. We should not insist on keeping any other Murtis in our pooja as everything is accounted for in Maharaj and His muktas.

All Murtis should be intact. Replace any Murti if it gets scratched or damaged in any way. We can perform pooja of Maharaj with sandalwood powder during our mansi pooja but should not do it in the physical pooja.

(5) Ahvan mantra:

Ahvan mantra is a shlok (verse) which should be recited with folded hands as a prayer to invite Maharaj and Motapurush in our pooja.

Uttishthotishta he nath, Swaminarayan prabho |
Dharmasuno dayasindho, swesham shreya param kuru ||
Agachha bhagwandeva, swasthanat parameshwara |
Aham pooja karishyami, sada twam sanmukho bhava ||

An alternative of this shlok is to fold your hands and pray, “Dear Maharaj, when you have given me this opportunity to do your seva, please come and be present in this pooja and accept this pooja. I am not capable of this seva, yet when You are here in the pooja, please accept it. If there are faults of any sort, please still do accept it. Please come and be part of this pooja. Oh Maharaj! Please come!”

(6) Mala:

The mala should never be out in the open. It should always be placed inside a gaumukhi. Mala should be done by sitting upright and directing all the concentration in Maharaj. Do at least five malas by reciting the Swaminarayan mahamantra while turning each bead of the mala. Then, one mala should be dedicated to our gurumantra which is, “Aham Anadimukta Swaminarayan dasosmi.” This mantra should be recited while turning each bead of the mala. If there are any difficulties reciting the mantra in Sanskrit, the alternative is – Shriji Maharaj has made me (the soul) an Anadimukta and placed me in the bliss of Murti. Like so, one mala should be performed by chanting the gurumantra, while simultaneously practicing becoming separate from the body and connect with the Murti.”

Respect the divine presence of Maharaj during pooja by avoiding yawing, looking around, gestures or talking to anyone in person or over the phone.

(7) Tap ni Mala:

After performing six malas in the sitting position. Now it’s time to do mala in standing position. Stand upright on your asan with the left leg on the ground and the right leg bent and rested on the left knee. One mala should be done in this position while chanting the Swaminarayan mahamantra as a reminiscence of the tap that Nilkanth Varni did.

(8) Pradakshina:

At least five pradakshinas should be performed around the perimeter of the pooja. Maharaj is the center point of our lives. Regardless of what we do, He should be our focal point. During a wedding, people exchange vows by going around the fire, similarly Pradakshina is an exchange of vows with Maharaj. Pradakshina symbolizes the relationship and attachment that our soul has established with Maharaj.

(9) Dandvat:

Dandvat should be done with the keenness of sacrificing every bit of ourselves in the service of Maharaj. We should constantly be chanting prayers and shloks while doing dandvat such as, “Avya Akshardham na araja” (Here comes the king of Akshardham). Like so, five dandvats should be performed. In addition, according to the 40th Vachanamurt of the Gadhada first chapters, “Maharaj has instructed to do a sixth dandvat as a repentance for hurting or offending any of our fellow devotees in any way, whatsoever. Dandvat should be performed in a way that the hands are rested on our asan however, if they have come in contact with the floor, make sure to wash them before continuing the pooja procedure.

(10) Prasad:

Prasad should be offered to Maharaj in a clean small steel or silver bowl but not in the lid of the prasad container.

Prasad can be of roasted peanuts, cashews, almonds, raisins, etc. Sugar should not be offered as a prasad. Thal can also be sung while offering prasad to Maharaj.

"Jamo ne jamadu re jivan mara..."
(Dear Maharaj, please accept my offerings, please.)

Prasadi should not be eaten in front of Maharaj, we should wait until the pooja is finished. Prasadi should also not be eaten directly from the bowl.

(11) Prayer:

Now is the cream time of our pooja, time to pray to Maharaj from the bottom of our hearts. We can pray to Maharaj as follows, “Dear Maharaj, please protect my mind, body and soul from all internal and external bad company. Help me fight my senses and also protect me from taking anyone’s vices. Give me the strength to always yearn for your happiness and to consolidate an understanding that my true form is Murti-like. Help me maintain constant awareness of your presence in anything I do and that you are the one in charge of everything and not I. Please accept my prayer and help me live a divine life.

"Tamari Murti vina mara nath re, biju mane apasho ma…"
(Oh Maharaj, don’t give me anything other than your Murti.)

Oh Maharaj! My first and last wish is to acquire the eternal bliss of Your Murti. Dear Maharaj, regardless of my flaws, I am your child so please take care of me until my last breath and drench me in the immense bliss of your Murti.” In addition, we can also sing a prayer to Maharaj such as.

(12) Visarjan Mantra:

Now, fold both hands together and pray, “Dear Maharaj, please forgive me for the mistakes that I might have made during this pooja.” Then recite the visarjan mantra;

Swasthanam gachha devesh pooja madaya mamkim |
Ishtakam – prasiddhiartham punaragamanayacha ||

Then, touch the divine feet of all the Murtis and collect them in their respective order. The first Murti in the pile should be turned upside down.

(13) Reading:

According to Lord Swaminarayan’s command, we should read at least five points from the Shikshapatri Sar (A simplified version of the original Shikshapatri written in Sanskrit), one paragraph from Vachanamrut Sar, five points from Bapashri ni tunki vato and one prayer and one phrase from “Hari ne game eva thavuj chhe (a book which helps us lead a divine life). This brings our pooja to an end. Now, place all the pooja items back into the pooja box. Our pooja box should be kept in a clean and pure place in the home (most preferably near the gharmandir).