🌼 The Significance of Snatra Pooja in Jainism
A Celebration of Purity, Devotion, and Divine Joy
✨ Introduction
In the spiritual journey of a Jain, rituals serve as stepping stones—helping us pause, reflect, and reconnect with the teachings of our Tirthankaras. While Jainism emphasizes inner transformation and self-discipline, our Acharyas and learned saints designed beautiful rituals to help householders express devotion in practical, heartfelt ways.
One such timeless and deeply symbolic ritual is Snatra Pooja. Celebrated with joy and reverence, Snatra Pooja re-enacts the divine birth of a Tirthankar, bringing purity, peace, and positivity into our lives and our surroundings.
🛕 What is Snatra Pooja?
Snatra Pooja, composed by Acharya Shri Virvijayji Maharaj, commemorates the celestial celebration that took place when a Tirthankar was born. It re-creates the divine bath (abhishek) offered by Indra Maharaj and the Dev-Devis on Mount Meru, symbolizing the arrival of a spiritual master on Earth.
Snatra means “to bathe”—and in this context, it represents both the ritual bathing of the newborn Tirthankar and the inner purification of the soul through devotion and awareness.
🔱 Where and How is Snatra Pooja Performed?
Snatra Pooja can be performed either at home or in a Jain temple, usually in front of Shri Shantinath Bhagwan’s idol (or any Tirthankar murti). A small brass or bronze idol is placed on a Sinhasan (throne) atop three tables, representing Mount Meru.
✨ Preparations Include:
🔸 Clean, modest pooja attire
🔸 A kesar chandlo (saffron tilak) on the forehead
🔸 A nada chhadee (red sacred thread) on the wrist
🔸 Optional: crown and ornaments to represent Indra or Indrani, enhancing the festive feel
🔸 Pooja items: flowers, rice, sandalwood (sukhad), dhoop, deepak, panchamrut, sweets, fruits, kalash, pearls, and a bull-shaped kalash
This Pooja not only beautifies the environment—it uplifts the spirit and invites sacred energy into the space.
🔹 Three Main Segments of Snatra Pooja
🌸 1. Kusumanjali Offering
The Pooja begins with the offering of Kusumanjali, a fragrant mix of flowers, rice, and sandalwood powder, to Bhagwan’s right foot, as we sing praises and devotional verses.
Each offering is made with a specific intention, such as:
✅ Erasing past karmas
✅ Progressing toward Siddhahood (liberation)
✅ Removing obstacles in personal or communal life
✅ Spreading peace and joy within the Jain Sangh and the world
This is followed by Chaitya Vandan, where we bow to Tirthankaras and reflect on their teachings and places of pilgrimage.
👶🏼 2. Janma Mahotsav (Re-enactment of Tirthankar’s Birth)
This is the heart of the Pooja—a joyful dramatization of Bhagwan Mahavir’s birth that fills the air with divine celebration.
We recall and perform:
🔸 Queen Trishala’s 14 auspicious dreams and their meanings
🔸 56 Devis (Dikk Kumaris) preparing for the divine event
🔸 Indra Maharaj arriving and gently taking the newborn to Mount Meru
🔸 The sacred Abhishek with Panchamrut
🔸 The singing and dancing of celestial beings
This moment recreates the divine energy of the original event and fills devotees with a sense of awe and devotion.
🙏 3. Shanti Kalash and Chaitya Vandana
To conclude the Pooja, we perform the Shanti Kalash Vidhi—a ritual where a kalash (pot) is filled with Panchamrut, and mantras are chanted for:
🔸 Peace in the Jain community and the entire world
🔸 Removal of negativity and suffering
🔸 Health and happiness for all beings
The charged water is later sprinkled in the space to purify the surroundings. The Pooja ends with Chaitya Vandan, Aarti, and Mangala Deepak, wrapping the entire experience in blissful vibrations.
💡 Why Should We Perform Snatra Pooja Regularly?
✔ Spiritual Cleansing – Helps wash away karmic impurities
✔ Mental Peace – Cultivates gratitude, humility, and inner calm
✔ Family Harmony – Brings everyone together in shared devotion
✔ Community Strength – Promotes unity, peace, and shared values
✔ Punya (Merit) – Accumulates spiritual merit on the path toward Moksha
✔ Cultural Preservation – Passes down Jain traditions to younger generations
🪔 A Special Invitation from JSOA Executive Committee
The Executive Committee of the Jain Society of Alberta (JSOA) warmly invites community members to become Labharthi (hosts) for monthly Snatra Pooja at their residence.
Hosting Snatra Pooja is a beautiful opportunity to:
🌟 Create spiritual vibrations in your home
🌟 Involve your family and children in Jain traditions
🌟 Earn immense punya and blessings
The JSOA committee will provide guidance, pooja materials, and full support to help you organize and perform the Pooja smoothly. Whether it’s your first time or you’ve hosted before, we are here to assist every step of the way!
🗓️ To book a date or learn more, please contact any Executive Committee member.
Let’s come together as a Sangh and nurture this uplifting tradition across our community.
🌼 Conclusion
In today’s fast-paced life, rituals like Snatra Pooja give us a chance to pause, reconnect, and reflect. They serve as a gentle reminder of our true spiritual nature and help us draw strength from our timeless Jain values.
Snatra Pooja is more than a tradition—it’s a spiritual celebration, a chance to purify the soul, and a joyful reminder of the Tirthankars’ divine presence.
🪔 Let us keep this flame of devotion alive. Perform it. Host it. Celebrate it.
🕉️ Jai Jinendra!
— Published by Jain Society of Alberta (VP)
