Narayan Nagbali Puja at Trimbakeshwar: A Comprehensive Guide

Nrayan Nagbali Puja in Nashik

Introduction to Narayan Nagbali Puja

Narayan Nagbali Puja is a significant Vedic ritual performed to address ancestral curses (Pitru Dosh) and the sin of harming a snake, particularly a cobra, which is revered in Hindu tradition. This three-day ceremony, conducted exclusively at Trimbakeshwar in Nashik, Maharashtra, combines two distinct rituals: Narayan Bali Puja, which seeks to liberate the souls of ancestors who died unnaturally, and Nagbali Puja, which atones for the sin of killing a snake.

According to ancient texts like the Garuda Purana, Skanda Purana, and Padma Purana, performing Narayan Nagbali Puja at Trimbakeshwar, a sacred Tirtha Kshetra and one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, enhances its spiritual efficacy, bringing peace, prosperity, and salvation to the family and future generations. This blog provides a detailed overview of the Narayan Nagbali Puja, including its significance, procedure, costs, benefits, and practical tips for devotees.

Why Trimbakeshwar for Narayan Nagbali Puja?

Trimbakeshwar is uniquely suited for Narayan Nagbali Puja due to its profound spiritual and astrological importance:

• Sacred Jyotirlinga: The Trimbakeshwar Temple houses a three-faced Jyotirlinga representing Lord Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva, making it a powerful site for rituals aimed at resolving karmic debts.

• Godavari River: The ritual is performed near the confluence of the Godavari and Ahilya rivers, believed to originate from the Brahmgiri hills (1,295 meters above sea level) behind the temple. Bathing in the sacred Kushavarta Kund purifies devotees and enhances the puja’s effectiveness.

• Vedic Tradition: The puja is conducted by Tamprapatradhari Purohits, authorized Brahmins with generations of experience, ensuring adherence to Vedic protocols.

• Scriptural Significance: Ancient texts like the Garuda Purana and Dharma Sindhu specify Trimbakeshwar as the only location for this ritual, emphasizing its sanctity for Pitru Dosh and snake-related remedies.

Purpose of Narayan Nagbali Puja

The Narayan Nagbali Puja serves two primary purposes:

1. Narayan Bali Puja: This ritual is performed to liberate the souls of ancestors who died unnaturally (e.g., accidents, suicide, snakebites, murder, or natural disasters) or whose funeral rites (Shradha) were not performed. Such souls, unable to attain moksha (liberation), may cause Pitru Dosh, leading to issues like financial instability, marital delays, health problems, or childlessness. The ritual mimics a Hindu funeral, using a wheat-flour effigy to invoke and release the soul.

2. Nagbali Puja: This is performed to atone for the sin of killing a snake, especially a cobra, which is considered sacred in Hinduism. The ritual involves performing last rites for a snake effigy made of wheat dough, seeking forgiveness and removing Sarpa Dosh (snake curse).

The puja is recommended for those facing:

• Pitru Dosh in their birth chart (Kundali).

• Obstacles in marriage, education, or career.

• Financial difficulties or business failures.

• Health issues or recurring family problems.

• Unexplained misfortunes or bad omens.

• Childlessness or issues with progeny.

• The sin of harming a snake, knowingly or unknowingly.

Narayan Nagbali Puja Procedure

The Narayan Nagbali Puja is a three-day ritual conducted at the Ahilya Godavari Sangam or Sati Maha-Smashan near the Trimbakeshwar Temple. Below is a detailed day-wise breakdown of the procedure:

Day 1: Purification and Narayan Bali Puja

• Holy Bath: Devotees take a dip in the Kushavarta Kund to cleanse negative energies and wear new traditional attire (white dhoti for men, white saree for women, avoiding black or green colors).

• Sankalp (Vow): The pandit takes a pledge on behalf of the devotee, declaring the puja’s purpose to resolve Pitru Dosh or Sarpa Dosh.

• Ganesh Puja: The ritual begins with worshiping Lord Ganesha to remove obstacles.

• Kalash Sthapana: Two pots with golden idols of Lord Vishnu and Vaivasvat Yama are set up and worshipped.

• Pinda Daan: Ten rice balls (pindas) mixed with honey, ghee, and sesame seeds are offered on darbha grass to honor departed ancestors. The pindas are later immersed in the river.

• Mantra Chanting: Vedic mantras from the Garuda Purana are recited to invoke ancestral souls into a wheat-flour effigy, enabling their liberation.

Day 2: Nagbali Puja

• Snake Effigy Ritual: A wheat-flour effigy of a snake (cobra) is created, and its last rites are performed to atone for the sin of harming a snake.

• Mantra Recitation: Specific mantras, such as “Om Namah Bhagavate Vasudevaya,” are chanted to appease the snake deity and seek forgiveness.

• Offerings: Sacred items like sandalwood paste, flowers, and sesame seeds are offered to the snake effigy, which is later immersed in the river.

• Worship of Lord Vishnu: Prayers are offered to Lord Vishnu to ensure spiritual purification and balance.

Day 3: Concluding Rituals

• Swasti Punyahavachanam: Lord Ganesha is worshipped to burn negative energies and ensure the ritual’s success.

• Golden Snake Worship: A small golden or silver snake idol (minimum 1 gram) is worshipped and donated to the priest, symbolizing the release of Sarpa Dosh.

• Pinda Daan and Offerings: Four pindas are offered to Lord Vishnu, Brahma, Shiva, and Yama, with a fifth pinda dedicated to the wheat-flour effigy. Additional offerings like new clothes, a cow, or gold may be given to a Brahman.

• Coronation Worship: The puja concludes with prayers to Lord Trimbakeshwar (Shiva) at the temple, followed by blessings from the priest for the devotee’s family.

• Visarjan: The effigies and offerings are immersed in the Godavari River, signifying the liberation of ancestral souls and the snake spirit.

The puja typically takes 2–3 hours each day and is performed at the Dharmashala near the Ahilya Godavari Sangam or Sati Maha-Smashan, not in ashrams or temples outside Trimbakeshwar.

Cost of Narayan Nagbali Puja

The cost varies based on the type of puja, number of priests, and inclusions like food and accommodation:

• Individual Puja: ₹5,100–₹8,000, including puja samagri, priest fees, and sometimes food.

• Group Puja: ₹1,100–₹3,000 per person, conducted in a shared hall.

• Premium Puja: ₹10,000–₹17,000 for a couple, including additional rituals, extra priests, or accommodation.

• Dakshina: Additional offerings to the priest (dakshina) depend on the devotee’s discretion but should be clarified upfront.

• Example Package: ₹6,500 for three days, including samagri, snake idols, stay, and food for one person.

Dates and Muhurats

The puja must be performed on astrologically favorable dates, determined by the Nakshatra (lunar constellation) and the devotee’s Kundali:

• Preferred Periods: Pitru Paksha (September–October), Putrada Ekadashi, or the 7th day after Amavasya (no-moon day).

• Favorable Nakshatras: Hasta, Pushya, or Ashlesha Nakshatra.

• Avoided Days: Ashtami, Dasami, Ekadashi, Grahan (eclipse) days, or Dhanishtha Panchak.

• Muhurat: Typically 2–3 auspicious times per month, confirmed by the pandit. Booking during Pitru Paksha requires advance reservations due to high demand.

Benefits of Narayan Nagbali Puja

The puja offers numerous spiritual and material benefits:

• Liberation of Ancestral Souls: Helps souls achieve moksha, resolving Pitru Dosh and ancestral curses for seven generations.

• Removal of Sarpa Dosh: Absolves the sin of harming a snake, reducing related misfortunes.

• Prosperity and Success: Promotes financial stability, career growth, and business success.

• Family Harmony: Resolves marital delays, childlessness, and family conflicts.

• Health and Well-Being: Alleviates chronic illnesses and protects against negative energies or bad omens.

• Spiritual Purification: Enhances spiritual growth and ancestral blessings. 

How to Book Narayan Nagbali Puja at Trimbakeshwar, Nashik?

By adhering to Vedic traditions, choosing the right pandit, and preparing with devotion, devotees can experience profound benefits, including peace, health, and success. For bookings or further details, contact an authorized pandit and plan your spiritual journey to Trimbakeshwar, a divine abode of Lord Shiva.