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Dehali (threshold) puja steps

Updated: Feb 11

In this post, we provide a comprehensive step-by-step guide to performing the Dehali Puja as traditionally practiced in Karnataka. Feel free to adapt it to your regional and cultural traditions, ensuring that any changes align with what has been historically passed down through generations.


If you have read Chapter 8 of Part 1 of Stri Dharma Paddhatih, you would know the significance of doing the Dehali Puja every day. It is the recommended way to protect the home from inauspicious vibrations and to contain as well as enhance the auspicious vibrations at home. Those who are sensitive will know the difference from the very first day of doing this puja.


The below information is taken from this video by Smt. Veena Joshi - https://youtu.be/zX5SUGfXWJs?feature=shared. The video is in Kannada and can be followed by those who understand the language. Others can read the steps below and look at the video to know how to make the drawings.


Step-wise process for Dehali Puja

 

1. Consider the threshold as a sacred altar and remove the previous day's designs using the hand (not the broom). Clean the threshold with clean water. Wipe with a clean cloth. (It is better to have a separate cleaning cloth for the threshold, just as we do for the puja table.)

2. Apply some turmeric powder and kuṅkuma powder on the left side for Sridevi, and on the right side for Bhudevi, before starting the drawings. (This will neutralize the charge on the piezoelectric wood to some extent.)

Note: In all religious representations, Sridevi is to the right of Sri Vishnu and Bhudevi is to His left. In the Dehali (threshold), we visualize Sri Vishnu facing outside the home, so His right will be our left side, since we face Sri Vishnu while doing the rangoli and puja. Hence we invoke Sridevi to our left (Vishnu's right) and Bhudevi to our right (Vishnu's left).

(The above two steps are described in an earlier video of Smt. Veena Joshi which is linked here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=shared&v=aNhN9bzqboQ

3. On the left end, Sri Vishnu’s Chakra is drawn and then four vertical straight lines are drawn.

4. On the right end, Sri Vishnu’s Shankha (with spirals to the left) is drawn and then four lines are drawn.

5. Then draw two Svastika marks on both sides, separated by four vertical lines. There will be 4 x 3 = 12 vertical lines on each side, making a total of 24 vertical lines. These 24 lines represent the 24 names of Sri Vishnu which can be mentally uttered while drawing the lines.

6. In the central portion, draw the underside of the feet of Sri Lakshmi with the Shanka (to the left of the feet) and the Chakra (to the right of the feet). The saṅkalpa is for Sri Lakshmi Narayana to reside in this space and for Sri Lakshmi to enter the home.

7. Below the threshold, on the left side, write Jaya (in Sanskrit or any local language) and on the right side write Vijaya. Mentally ask them to guard the entrance.

8. Below the name of Jaya, draw the Chakra and a Lotus (representing what is held in the left hand).

9. Below the name of Vijaya, draw the Shanka and a Gadha (representing what is held in the right hand).

10. In the centre, draw four cows (Kamadhenu) entering the home following Sri Lakshmi Devi. The cows are also protected by Shanka (on the left) and Chakra (on the right).

11. After the drawings are made, apply turmeric and kuṅkuma on each item drawn, mentally invoking the presence of Sri Vishnu, Sri Lakshmi, Jaya, Vijaya and Kamadhenu on the respective drawings.

12. Place a few flowers and akshata at the feet of Lakshmi-Narayana.

  1. After this, the Kolam or Rangoli can be drawn. Smt. Bhargavi Mani's Kolam Podu is an excellent resource to get started and to learn beautiful Kolams (like the one drawn below). Here is the link - https://www.youtube.com/@kolampodu

  2. Light camphor or incense and move it clockwise to perform the aarathi.

  3. Leave the door open for some time to allow the Devata Shakti-s and auspicious vibrations to enter the home.

  4. The home is now protected.



The Dehali Puja and Kolam done based on the links shared in this post.
The Dehali Puja and Kolam done based on the links shared in this post.

If you are new to our work, you may visit our Youtube channel 'Stri Dharma' to view the discourses on Stri Dharma. Below are the discourses explaining the significance of Dehali Puja, Svastika and Rangoli.

  1. How Dehali Puja protects the home and the family - https://youtu.be/ABVhvlJWf3w?si=Z_x2m4mo-2GdIwBQ

  2. The Science of the Svastika - https://youtu.be/tDujF8ZDoo0?si=18Xm-3wOTyp-DSML

  3. Rangoli: How it benefits the woman and transforms her home - https://youtu.be/N9SheGJ5Up8?si=0KICHXhxF86ljPLX

 
 
 

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