Vishnu Panchayatana Pooja Vidhanam
Panchayatana pooja is a system of worship of five deities. The five deities of worship are Lord Siva, Lord Ganesha, Lord Vishnu, Lord Surya Bhagawan, and Goddess Durga Matha. Panchayathana Pooja was introduced by Adi Shankaracharya. This pooja vidhanam became popular in medieval India. Back in those days, people fought over the supremacy of the gods they believe in. There were people who argued that Lord Siva was superior to Lord Vishnu or both were inferior to Goddess Durga Matha. To eliminate this and increase Advaita bhavam in people, Panchayatana pooja was started. In Panchayatana Pooja the deity of the god whom the devotee worships is placed in the center surrounded by the other God’s deities. Vishnu Panchayatana Pooja Vidhanam and other pooja vidhanams is explained in this article.
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Akashasyadhipo Vishnuh Agneshchaiva Maheshwari |
Vayoh Suryah Kshiterishah Jivanasya Ganadhipah
The Panchayatana Pooja represents five elements
| God | Elements |
| Lord Vishnu | Akasha (Space) |
| Goddess Durga Matha | Vahni (Fire) |
| Lord Surya Bhagawan | Vayu (Air) |
| Lord Siva | Kshiti (Earth) |
| Lord Ganesha | Jala (Water) |
Positioning of deities in Vishnu Panchayatana Pooja:
Center – Lord Vishnu
North East – Lord Siva
South East – Lord Ganesha
South West – Lord Surya Bhagawan
North west – Goddess Durga Matha
The deities used are not made up of Pancha lohas or any other metals. But they are represented by natural stones found in different parts of India.
| Deity | River | Place | Stone |
| Lord Vishnu | Gandaki | Nepal | Saligrama |
| Lord Siva | Narmada | Madhya Pradesh | Bana Linga |
| Lord Ganesha | Sonbhadra | Sone, Bihar | Red |
| Lord Surya Bhagawan | Vallam | Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu | Crystal |
| Goddess Durga Matha | Swarna Mukhi | Andhra Pradesh | Swarna Mukhi |