Guru Pushya and Ravi Pushya 2026

Puja Vidhi

Who Should Perform This Puja?

• Families Making a New Beginning: Families choose Guru Pushya and Ravi Pushya for buying gold, silver, a vehicle, or a home, for opening a shop or an account, and for starting studies or new work.
• Devotees of Maa Lakshmi and Brihaspati Dev: Many households keep a simple puja on these days, seeking prosperity (Samriddhi) and wisdom (Gyan).
• Students and Learners: Students begin new lessons or the study of the scriptures on these days, praying to Devguru Brihaspati for knowledge.

When Should This Be Performed?

• The Day: Guru Pushya is the Thursday, and Ravi Pushya the Sunday, on which Pushya Nakshatra prevails at sunrise. Each comes only a few times a year.
• Morning Puja: The puja is done after the morning bath, soon after sunrise. Check the sunrise time for your city on this page.
• Purchases and New Work: Purchases and new work are begun in an auspicious Choghadiya (Shubh, Labh, Amrit, or Char) on the same day. Check the Choghadiya for your city on this page.

About the Festival

Pushya, the eighth of the twenty-seven nakshatras, is called the most nourishing of them all (Pushya means "that which nourishes"), and its deity is Brihaspati, the guru of the devas. Classical texts on muhurta shastra count it among the nakshatras favoured for buying, learning, and beginning new work, though it is traditionally not chosen for weddings. When Pushya falls on Thursday, the day of Brihaspati, it forms Guru Pushya Yoga; on Sunday, the day of Surya, Ravi Pushya Yoga. It takes place on a Thursday (Guru Pushya) or a Sunday (Ravi Pushya) on which Pushya Nakshatra prevails at sunrise.

The Katha (Story of Brihaspati and Pushya Nakshatra)

Long ago, at the beginning of creation, the devas were without a teacher to guide them in the ways of dharma and sacrifice. It was then that Brihaspati was born, under the nakshatra Tishya, the old name of Pushya, as the Vedic texts remember. He grew to be the wisest of all beings, the master of speech and of the sacred mantras, and the devas made him their guru (Devguru).

Under his guidance the devas performed their sacrifices correctly, and whenever they were troubled by the asuras, it was Brihaspati's counsel that showed them the way to victory. Because the guru of the devas was born under it, Pushya came to be honoured as the nakshatra that nourishes and protects all that is begun in it, and it was said that even the noble Bharata, the devoted brother of Lord Rama, was born under Pushya.

Since that day, devotees have honoured the days when Pushya falls on Thursday, the day of Brihaspati, and on Sunday, the day of Surya Dev, as the most auspicious days for beginning new work, buying what will serve the family, and seeking knowledge, praying that what is begun on them may grow and prosper.

Samagri List (Items Needed)

Gather these items before starting the morning puja:

• Image / Idol: A picture or idol of Maa Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha, and of Brihaspati Dev for Guru Pushya
• Tilak & Sacred Powder: Haldi (turmeric), Kumkum, Chandan (sandalwood paste), and Akshat (unbroken rice grains)
• Lamps & Incense: A brass or clay Diya with Ghee and cotton wick, and Dhoop or incense sticks
• Sacred Water Container: A copper vessel (Lota) filled with clean water, for Arghya to Surya Dev on Ravi Pushya
• Food Offerings (Naivedya): Yellow sweets such as besan laddus or chana dal and jaggery on Guru Pushya, and jaggery or wheat sweets on Ravi Pushya
• Devotional Accessories: Yellow flowers, a clean yellow or red cloth on which to place what you buy, and Kalava (sacred thread)

Puja Vidhi (Step-by-Step Guide)

Follow these step-by-step instructions carefully to perform the ritual correctly:

Step 1: Morning Preparation and Sankalp

1. Wake up early, bathe after sunrise, and wear clean clothes (preferably yellow on Guru Pushya).
2. Take a small amount of water in your right palm and take a Sankalp (solemn vow): "O Maa Lakshmi and Brihaspati Dev, today on Pushya Nakshatra I worship you with pure devotion. Bless the work I begin today with growth, prosperity, and success."

Step 2: Preparing the Puja Altar

1. Place the pictures of Maa Lakshmi, Lord Ganesha, and Brihaspati Dev on a clean yellow cloth.
2. Keep the Diya, flowers, and Naivedya ready.

Step 3: Performing the Morning Puja

1. Light the Ghee Diya and incense in front of the deities.
2. Apply Haldi, Kumkum, Chandan, and Akshat, and offer yellow flowers.
3. On Ravi Pushya, offer Arghya to the rising Sun from the Lota, chanting "Om Suryaya Namah".
4. Offer the sweets as Naivedya.

Step 4: Reciting the Prayers

1. On Guru Pushya, chant "Om Brim Brihaspataye Namah"; on Ravi Pushya, "Om Ghrinih Suryaya Namah", a number of times.
2. Recite the Shri Suktam or the Lakshmi Aarti, and conclude with the aarti.

Step 5: The Purchase or New Work

1. Make the purchase or begin the new work in an auspicious Choghadiya.
2. Place what you have bought, such as gold, silver, books, or account books, on the cloth before the deities, apply Haldi and Kumkum, and offer Akshat and flowers.

Step 6: Seeking Blessings and Sharing Prasad

1. Touch the feet of the elders in your family to seek their blessings (Charan Sparsh).
2. Give donations (Daan) of yellow sweets, chana dal, or turmeric on Guru Pushya, and wheat or jaggery on Ravi Pushya, to the needy or a Brahmin.
3. Distribute the Naivedya as prasad among the family.