About Bilva Archana Puja Puja
“Unlock the blessings of Lord Shiva by offering the sacred Bilva leaves through Bilva Archana Puja.”
Bilva Archana Puja is a deeply revered Hindu ritual dedicated to Lord Shiva, the supreme deity of transformation and liberation. This sacred practice involves offering Bilva (Bel) leaves (बेलपत्र) to Lord Shiva while chanting specific mantras, symbolizing devotion and spiritual surrender. The ritual is believed to invoke divine blessings, helping devotees overcome obstacles, purify their souls, and attain inner peace.It is believed that all the places of pilgrimage dwell at the base of the Bilva Tree.
Highly significant in Hindu worship, Bilva Archana is performed with great reverence, especially during the auspicious month of Shravan, ensuring prosperity, health, and spiritual growth for the devotees.
About Bilva Archana Puja
Bilva Archana Puja entails offering Bilva leaves, which are considered sacred to Lord Shiva. Each leaf is offered with specific chants or the recitation of Shiva’s 108 names (अष्टोत्तरशतनामावली), making it a spiritually uplifting experience.
The trifoliate (having three leaves) Bilva leaf is revered in Hinduism for its association with Lord Shiva. Its three leaflets represent the Trishul (trident), Shiva’s weapon, and the triad of creation, preservation, and destruction. It also symbolizes the three aspects of existence—body, mind, and soul—offered in surrender to Shiva.
Bilva Archana aims to purify the devotee’s mind, seek forgiveness for sins, and attain spiritual elevation. This simple yet profound ritual bridges the gap between the human and the divine, fostering peace, harmony, and a sense of connection with Lord Shiva.
Benefits of Bilva Archana Puja for Mahadev
Performing Bilva Archana Puja for Lord Shiva brings numerous spiritual and material blessings, making it a transformative ritual for devotees:
- Spiritual Purification: Purifies the soul, removes past sins, and fosters inner peace and spiritual growth.
- Material Prosperity: Invokes Lord Shiva’s blessings for health, wealth, and overall prosperity, ensuring success in personal and professional endeavors.
- Divine Protection: Shields devotees from negative energies, evil forces, and unforeseen obstacles, providing a sense of security and peace.
- Fulfillment of Desires: Helps devotees achieve their worldly and spiritual aspirations through Shiva’s divine grace.
- Karmic Relief: Alleviates the burden of past karmas and balances spiritual debts, creating a pathway toward liberation (moksha).
Mentioning in Vedic texts
1. In chapter 1.1.21 of Shiva Purana, Sage Romaharshana explains to other sages of Naimishaaranya as follows:
A Bilva fruit is supposed to be an embodiment and manifest form of Lord Shiva himself. It is believed that all the places of pilgrimage dwell at the base of the Bilva Tree.
2. In the well-known Bilva Ashtakam, a lot has been emphasized about offering even a single leaf of Bilva to Lord Shiva especially during the Shravan month.
3. The Shree Suktam dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi ji mentioned as follows:
आदित्यवर्णेतपसोऽधिजातोवनस्पतिस्तववृक्षोऽथबिल्वः।
तस्यफलानितपसानुदन्तुमयान्तरायाश्चबाह्याअलक्ष्मीः।।
Oh Goddess Lakshmi, you are as bright as the Sun, the sacred Tree of Bilva was brought forth by your dedicated tapasya. May this Tree remove my internal and external misfortunes and poverty.
4. In Mahalakshmi AshtotraShatnama Stotram, Goddess Lakshmi ji has been named as Bilva Nilayam which means the one who resides in the Bilva Tree.
Auspicious days to Perform Bilvarchana Puja
Mondays, MasikShivarathri, Janma Nakshatra day, or any Auspicious days.
Religious belief is that on Chaturthi, Ashtami, Navami, Chaturdashi and Amavasya Tithi, during Sankranti and on Mondays, Bel leaves should not be broken. It is believed that these dates are very dear to Lord Shiva, so on this date, you can offer Bel leaves to Lord Shiva with Bel leaves broken before this date.
Puja Procedure
Swasti Vachan, Shanti Path, Sankalp, Ganesh Sthapan, Lord Shiva Sthapan, Lakshmi Sthapan, Varun Kalash, Punyaha Vachan, NavgrahaSthapan, Brahma Sthapan, Agni Sthapan, Invocation of all Gods and Goddesses, Navgrah Mantra Japa (1 mala for each planet), 11 Path of Rudra with Chamkam, Lord Shiva's Abhishek with 1008 Bilva Patras (offered as Archan), Homam with Ghee, Sugar, Til, Oats (Jow), Ashtagandh, Sandalwood powder, Navgrah Samidha and then Aarti, Tilak Mantra, Prasad to Brahmins.
- Offer Belpatra upside down to Bholenath. Keep its smooth part inwards, that is, towards the Shivling.
- There should not be a thunderbolt and chakra in the belpatra that is offered.
- Bel leaves offered to Bholeshankar are of 3 to 11 leaves. It is believed that the more leaves in it, the more fruitful it will be.
- If you do not get Bel leaves to offer, then you can remember God by visiting the Bel tree.
- It is believed that it should be offered by writing the name of Lord Shiva on the Belpatra.
To participate in Bilva Archana Puja, consult knowledgeable priests especially at sacred sites like the Kashi Vishwanath Temple. You can perform the ritual personally under their guidance or book the puja through reputable services. Ensure that the ceremony is conducted with devotion and adherence to traditional Vedic practices.
To participate in Bilva Archana Puja, consult our knowledgeable priests at Kashi Vishwanath Temple.You can book the puja through Kashi Archan Foundation, ensuring it is performed with utmost devotion and adherence to traditional Vedic practices. Let us help you seek Lord Shiva's divine blessings.
Puja Benefits
1
Spiritual Purification
Purifies the soul, removes past sins, and fosters inner peace and spiritual growth
2
Material Prosperity
Invokes Lord Shiva’s blessings for health, wealth, and overall prosperity, ensuring success in personal and professional endeavors.
3
Divine Protection
Shields devotees from negative energies, evil forces, and unforeseen obstacles, providing a sense of security and peace.
4
Fulfillment of Desires
Helps devotees achieve their worldly and spiritual aspirations through Shiva’s divine grace.
5
Karmic Relief
Alleviates the burden of past karmas and balances spiritual debts, creating a pathway toward liberation (moksha).