Navagraha Homa
What is Navagraha Homa?
Deity: The nine grahas - Surya, Chandra, Mangala, Budha, Guru, Shukra, Shani, Rahu and Ketu Vedic astrology (Jyotisha) describes nine grahas - literally “those that seize” - whose positions at birth and in transit are believed to shape the conditions of life. A Navagraha Homa invites all nine as divine presences, offering each its own mantra and materials, and prays for their favour.
A distinctive feature is the use of nine different sacred woods (samidhs), one for each graha: arka for Surya, palasha for Chandra, khadira for Mangala, apamarga for Budha, ashvattha (peepal) for Guru, udumbara (cluster fig) for Shukra, shami for Shani, durva for Rahu and kusha for Ketu. Nine grains (navadhanya) are offered in the same way.
KEY MANTRA
ॐ आदित्याय सोमाय मङ्गलाय बुधाय च।
गुरुशुक्रशनिभ्यश्च राहवे केतवे नमः॥
Oṃ ādityāya somāya maṅgalāya budhāya ca, guru-śukra-śanibhyaś ca rāhave ketave namaḥ.
Salutations to the Sun, Moon, Mars and Mercury; to Jupiter, Venus and Saturn; to Rahu and Ketu.
Benefits of Navagraha Homa
Traditionally performed to ease the effects of challenging planetary periods (dasha, antardasha)
Support during Sade Sati, Rahu–Ketu transits or an afflicted horoscope
An annual rite for family harmony, health and steady progress
Often combined with Ayushya Homa on birthdays and with griha pravesham
Who should perform Navagraha Homa?
Those advised by an astrologer to perform graha shanti
Anyone going through Sade Sati or a difficult Rahu, Ketu or Shani period
Families performing a birthday, housewarming or annual protective rite
When to perform it
On your birth nakshatra or birthday, at the start of a new dasha, during major transits, or on a weekday ruled by the graha of concern (for example Saturday for Shani).
Navagraha Homa procedure, step by step
Ganapati puja and Sankalpa in the name, gotra and nakshatra of the person.
Navagraha mandala - nine grahas are invoked on a nine-square diagram with their colours and grains.
Agni pratishthapana - the sacred fire is established.
Graha-wise ahutis - each graha's mantra is chanted (commonly 108 times) with its own samidh, grain and ghee.
Adhidevata and pratyadhidevata offerings - the presiding deities of each graha are honoured.
Purnahuti, aarti and dana - completion, blessings and traditional charity.
Samagri, duration and priests
Special samagri: Nine samidhs (arka, palasha, khadira, apamarga, ashvattha, udumbara, shami, durva, kusha), navadhanya (nine grains), nine coloured cloths, ghee and havan samagri.
Duration & priests: 2–3 hours · 1–3 priests
Navagraha Homa cost
Published US temple fee sheets (checked Oct 2026) list a standard single-priest homa at roughly $90–$250 at the temple and $150–$350 at your home, plus priest travel.
AgniBliss price (performed in India, live-streamed, with prasadam): $____ · priests: __ · japa count: ____ — what changes the price: number of priests, japa count, duration and special samagri.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What are the benefits of Navagraha Homa?
It is traditionally performed to harmonise the nine planetary influences, ease difficult dashas and bring balance to health, family and work.
Q. Do I need my horoscope for Navagraha Homa?
Not strictly - your name, gotra and birth nakshatra are enough for the sankalpa. A horoscope helps the priest emphasise specific grahas.
Q. Can Navagraha Homa be done online?
Yes. The priest performs the homa with your sankalpa and you join live; many families abroad do this every year on their birthday.
Q. Which Samidh is used for each planet?
Arka (Sun), palasha (Moon), khadira (Mars), apamarga (Mercury), ashvattha (Jupiter), udumbara (Venus), shami (Saturn), durva (Rahu) and kusha (Ketu).
