The Homams mentioned below are special in nature performed for specific objectives
Homam is a sacred ritual performed according to the tenets of Holy Scriptures to invoke the blessings of a particular deity or deities with certain objectives. It is believed that Agni (God of fire) carries the dravya (offerings into the fire) to the concerned deity and causes fulfilment of wishes. It involves japam(chanting mantras) and kriyas (deeds). There are umpteen homams for various deities with various objectives. Some general objectives and HOMAMs traditionally performed for those purposes are mentioned below. Homam is a Sanskrit word which typically means performing spiritual prayers or making offerings to fire. In many places, homam is known as Havan or Yagnam. As per Hindu mythology, homam is a way – to renounce one’s sins, to acquire peach of mind and to get a special purpose fulfilled. An individual or group of individuals can perform an homam depending on the kind of homam being undertaken. The ritual of Homam dates back to almost 5000 years when various well-versed sages and saints taught the significance and process of homam to purify body, mind and soul. Fire is believed to form an integral component of worshipping in Hinduism. As the holy smoke from a Homa permeates our dwellings, it not only eradicates all ill effects and negativity from such dwellings, but it also brings with it peace, happiness, prosperity wealth and contentment. A significant aspect of Homa is the mantra uttered by priests while performing the ritual. They ask the performer of the Homa to offer the ahuti or puja material into the fire and to chant “idam na mama “meaning this is not mine. When the possessive mama, meaning mine is eradicated from our thinking ahankar or ego too gets destroyed. This is the essence of Sanatana Dharma.
The practice of homam was started to perform worship to a particular God and Goddess for getting desires fulfilled or improve the state of well-being for self or family.
Homam is performed in a square-shapedHavan Kund which is made up of bricks (Vedi) and a holy fire is lit up inside it. All the devotees and priests sit around the fire. The priest chants mantras and offers samagris to the fire. A samagri is a sacred offering which is made up of various natural herbs and pure products. The homam samagri is considered as the food for deities for whom a homam is being performed. It is believed that while chanting mantras during a homam and making offerings to the fire, a special energy is created in the environment through which one can re-energized the chakaras which eventually help in rejuvenating body and alleviates peace of mind. It is also beneficial in purifying the atmosphere in and around the homam location.
Pooja literally means “honour.” This is important, because the practice and beliefs behind puja involve not just a formal veneration of the Gods and Goddesses, but also signifies entering into a particular sort of relationship with them. Puja involves the reception and honouring a deity. Through pooja, a personal relationship, often a very affectionate relationship, is formed with God. It also helps in restoring our faith and detaching us from harmful worldly materialistic things. So, it is imperative to value the life that has been given to you by almighty and pooja is a subtle way of thanking him. In the moments of despair, one seems to remember God. But in an ideal situation, one should be praying Gods on all sort of days, good or bad, ugly or beautiful, dark or bright as everything is owned and created by God. Fundamentally, pooja involves bhakti, in that one must approach and treat God with selfless love; indeed, this is the way in which bhakti is most typically put into practice. There is a purpose that we exist, and offering prayers bring us closer to our purpose and help in attaining nirvana.