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[THREAD] The significance of Shaligram Pujan
In Sanatan Dharma we believe that God does not reside in any idol. Before we start worship, we request God to enter the idol and remain present during the duration of the pooja. This is called “awahan”.
![[THREAD] The significance of Shaligram PujanIn Sanatan Dharma we believe that God does not reside in any idol. Before we start worship, we request God to enter the idol and remain present during the duration of the pooja. This is called “awahan”.](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EbWkg2xWAAAWc10.jpg "[THREAD] The significance of Shaligram PujanIn Sanatan Dharma we believe that God does not reside in any idol. Before we start worship, we request God to enter the idol and remain present during the duration of the pooja. This is called “awahan”.")
In Sanatan Dharma we believe that God does not reside in any idol. Before we start worship, we request God to enter the idol and remain present during the duration of the pooja. This is called “awahan”.
After the pooja is over, we do “visarjan” wherein we request God to go back to leave the idol and go back to his heavenly abode.
But shaligram is a special stone in which Bhagwan Vishnu is always present.
In the Brahma Purana, Prabhu Narayan says “O Brahma, I eternally reside in the form of Shaligram Shila”.
In the Brahma Purana, Prabhu Narayan says “O Brahma, I eternally reside in the form of Shaligram Shila”.
The Padma Purana mentions that gifting a Shaligram-shila is the best form of charity, equivalent to the effect of donating the entire earth together along with its forests, mountains and everything.
Bhagwan Shiv says in Skand Purana that if a devotee does not worship Shaligram, Mahadev does not take his obeisances.
As per Skanda Purana, there can never be a price put on any Shaligram as there is not enough gold, jewels or any other precious thing on earth that can match the cost of even one Shaligram.
It is believed that a person who does snan (bathing) of Shaligram with chakra everyday get gets rid of all sin like Bramahatya, and if he drinks such water daily gets the equal boon of a thousand havan (fire sacrifices) of Lord Vishnu.
Shaligrams are not supposed to be purchased or sold. They are prized possessions of a Hindu family and are handed down from generation to generation.
According to scientists, Shaligrams are fossils of Ammonite- an invertebrate which lived in the Tethys sea, that existed between India and the Asian mainland.
As India moved northwards, some 9000 KMs in 250 million years, the Himalayas were formed. A number of rivers formed and flowed down from the Himalays into the gangetic plain. The Shaligram was found in plenty in the Gandaki river.
The marks made by the shell of an Ammonite give a Shaligram its characteristic appearance. The pattern resembles the Sudarshan chakra which rests on the finger of Bhagwan Vishnu.
Since the Shaligram is the dwelling place of Bhagwan Vishnu, anyone who has it in their house must perform its puja daily. One shouldn’t touch the Shaligram without taking a bath, shouldn’t keep it on the floor and should consume only satvik food.
One must not use Akshat(broken rice) in the Puja of Shaligram. While bathing the Shaligram shila, do not use thumbs. Never do awahan and visarjan on the Shaligram shila. Daily puja of Shaligram is a must as its the dwelling place of Prabhu Vishnu.
The Shiva Linga Shaligram is one of the most distinctive Shaligrams and typically appears as a round, smooth shila containing a central conical spiral.
Shivlinga Shaligram is the symbol of auspiciousness. The worshipper of this shaligram gains health and peace.
Must watch video on Shaligram by Sadhguru.
Shaligram shila is married to Tulsi mata on the day of Shukla Paksha Ekadashi of Kartik month, aka Prabodhini Ekadashi. Tulsi vivah is believed to bring happiness and prosperity.
ॐ नमो नारायणाय
ॐ नमो नारायणाय
