Narayan Nagbali Puja at Trimbakeshwar

Narayan Nagbali is an elaborate three-day ancestral ceremony comprising two distinct rituals.. Narayan Bali and Nagbali. Narayan Bali is performed for the peace, Sadgati and liberation of a departed family member or ancestor, particularly when the person suffered an untimely, accidental or unnatural death (Durmaran), or when the prescribed funeral rites, Shradh Karmas or annual ancestral ceremonies remained incomplete. Nagbali is performed for atonement from the karmic effects associated with killing or harming a snake, particularly a cobra. The Puja is traditionally performed once in a lifetime at Trimbakeshwar.

Circumstances traditionally considered Durmaran include:

• Death before marriage
• Death by drowning
• Death due to an attack by a dangerous animal
• Murder
• Death due to fire or severe burns
• Suicide
• Accidental death due to electric shock
• Death caused by choking on food
• Death in a foreign land before the person could return home
• Other premature, accidental or unnatural circumstances of death

The word Narayan refers to Lord Vishnu, who is worshipped during Narayan Bali. The purpose of this rite is to pray for the departed Atma to find peace, move forward on its spiritual journey and ultimately attain Mukti or Moksha. Nagbali combines the words Nag, meaning serpent, and Bali, meaning a ritual offering, and is traditionally performed for relief from the karmic consequences of Sarpa Hatya.

The Garuda Purana describes Narayan Bali in connection with the journey of the soul after death and the importance of Pinda Pradana and other prescribed rites for the departed.

Narayan Nagbali also includes prayers for seven generations of departed ancestors from the father’s lineage, seven generations from the mother’s lineage and, where applicable, the spouse’s lineage.

The Unique Ritual of Narayan Bali and Nagbali

One of the most significant aspects of Narayan Nagbali is the symbolic recreation and completion of the post-death rites.

The Narayan Bali rites resemble Hindu Antim Sanskar rites, although the ceremony is completed within the prescribed three-day Narayan Nagbali ritual. According to traditional belief, when a person dies an unnatural or untimely death and the required post-death rites have not been properly performed, the subtle body may remain unable to progress on its onward journey.

During Narayan Bali, a symbolic human body or Narayan Putla is prepared, traditionally using wheat dough. Through Vedic Mantras and prescribed rituals, the departed soul is invoked symbolically into the Putla. The Putla is then offered to the funeral fire in a ritual known as Narayan Putla Dahan, symbolically completing the rites and praying for the soul to be released from its unresolved state and progress towards Sadgati and liberation.

During Nagbali, a symbolic serpent or Nag Putla is similarly prepared from dough. The prescribed Mantras, worship and ritual offerings are performed, after which Nag Putla Dahan takes place. This rite is traditionally performed as an act of atonement for Sarpa Hatya and to seek release from the associated karmic Dosha.

Significance of Narayan Nagbali Puja at Trimbakeshwar

Trimbakeshwar holds exceptional significance for Narayan Nagbali and ancestral rites. Its importance is described in ancient scriptures including the Dharma Sindhu, Skanda Purana and Padma Purana. Trimbakeshwar is home to one of the twelve Jyotirlingas and is renowned for its unique three-faced Shivlingam representing Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu and Lord Mahesh.

The region is also associated with the sacred Godavari River and Kushavarta Kund, where ancestral ceremonies have traditionally been performed.

The entire Trimbak region is revered as a Tirtha Kshetra, a sacred land traditionally considered highly auspicious for the performance of Vedic rites. Narayan Nagbali, Shradh, Pind Daan, Tarpan and other ancestral ceremonies are therefore performed within the Trimbak Kshetra.

At Rudra Centre, we are blessed to have our own temple in Trimbakeshwar, just a short walk from the Jyotirlinga. Here, our experienced Karmakandi Pundits perform Narayan Nagbali along with Shradh ceremonies and other important rituals such as Tripindi Shradh, Pitru Dosha Nivaran, Garuda Puran Paath and Gandanta Shanti, following the prescribed Vedic procedures.

Purpose of Narayan Nagbali Puja

The primary purpose of Narayan Bali is to pray for peace and liberation of departed souls, particularly those who experienced an untimely or unnatural death or whose post-death rites remained incomplete.

According to traditional belief, unfulfilled desires, unresolved karmas or incomplete rites may prevent a departed soul from attaining peace. Narayan Bali is performed with prayers for the soul to be freed from these attachments and continue its spiritual journey.

Nagbali addresses a different purpose. It is performed for atonement from Sarpa Hatya and associated karmic consequences.

Significance of Pind Daan in Narayan Nagbali

Pind Daan is an important part of the ceremony. Pindas are sacred offerings traditionally prepared using ingredients such as rice, black sesame seeds, barley or wheat flour, ghee and holy water.

The Pinda symbolically represents the Sukshma Sharira, or subtle body, of the departed soul and is offered with prayers to assist its onward journey, grant peace and resolve lingering karmic attachments.

The ritual includes different Pinda offerings during the three-day ceremony. On the first day, Pindas are offered in connection with Lord Narayan and the Pancha Devatas.. Brahma, Vishnu, Mahesh, Yama and Preta. During Nagbali, offerings are also associated with the eight lineages of Nagas, seeking relief from Doshas connected with harming or disrespecting serpents.

Benefits of Narayan Nagbali Puja at Trimbakeshwar

Narayan Nagbali Puja is traditionally performed to:

• Pray for peace, Sadgati and liberation of loved ones who died an untimely, accidental or unnatural death.
• Complete spiritual obligations towards departed family members whose prescribed post-death rites remained incomplete.
• Seek relief from Pitru Dosha and ancestral karmic afflictions.
• Seek atonement from the karmic effects associated with Sarpa Hatya.
• Seek the blessings of departed ancestors.
• Pray for protection from disturbances traditionally associated with unsettled departed souls.
• Promote peace and harmony within the family.
• Seek relief from recurring difficulties involving health, marriage, progeny and education.
• Pray for financial stability and progress in business and career.
• Seek resolution of unfulfilled duties, wishes or karmic obligations associated with prematurely departed family members.
• Invite greater peace, positivity and spiritual wellbeing into the family.

Narayan Nagbali Puja at Trimbakeshwar Procedure | Narayan Nagbali Puja Vidhi

Narayan Nagbali is performed over three days, with each day having a specific purpose and sequence of rituals.

Day 1 – Narayan Bali

Sankalpa, Maha Vishnu Pujan, Panchdevta Pujan, 108 Pitru Tarpan, 11 Tarpans for the last seven generations of ancestors, 51 Dev Tarpan, 51 Rishi Tarpan, Shodashopachara Pujan, Narayan Putla Pujan, Bali Puja, Narayan Putla Dahan and 24 Pind Daan.

The Narayan Putla is symbolically worshipped as the body of the departed soul and subsequently consigned to the ritual fire, completing one of the central rites of Narayan Bali.

Day 2 – Nagbali

Shradh for the last seven generations of ancestors, Nag Putla Pujan, Nag Putla Dahan and Pind Daan.

A symbolic serpent form is worshipped through the prescribed rites and subsequently offered through Nag Putla Dahan as part of the atonement associated with Sarpa Hatya.

Day 3 – Completion of the Puja

Surya Pujan, Deep Puja, Ganesh Puja, Shodashopachara Pujan, Punyah Vachan, Swarna Nag Pratima Pujan, Vishnu Sahasranama, Vishnu Mantra Japa 1100 times, Narayan Bali recitation, donation to Brahmins and Panchgras.. feeding cows, dogs, crows and the poor.

Vishnu Mantra

Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya

ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय॥

Meaning

I bow with reverence to Lord Vasudeva, Lord Vishnu.

Details Required for Narayan Nagbali Puja

Your Details (Yajaman)

Full Name
Current Location (City and Country)
Gotra, if known

If Gotra is not known, kindly provide:

Date of Birth
Time of Birth
Place of Birth (City, State, Country)

Details of the Departed Soul

Name of the deceased
Gotra, if known
Relationship with the Yajaman
Cause or nature of death, particularly in cases of premature, accidental or unnatural death

Since Narayan Bali may be performed in relation to a specific departed family member, these details help the Pundits perform the Sankalpa appropriately. The ceremony also includes prayers for the wider ancestral lineage, including the father’s lineage, mother’s lineage and, where applicable, the spouse’s lineage.

Multiple videos and photographs of the rituals will be shared with you through email and WhatsApp. You may also connect with the priest through video call to witness the Puja rituals live.

No Prasad is sent for this Puja, as it is performed specifically for the peace and Sadgati of the departed soul.