The Essential 1,000-Word Guide to Rahu-Ketu Shanti Puja in India

Performing Rahu-Ketu Shanti Puja—also known as Sarpa Dosha Nivarana—is a time-honoured Vedic remedy to calm the disruptive influence of the shadow planets Rahu and Ketu. Below you’ll find everything a reader needs to choose the right temple, book a slot, and make the most of the experience—written to hit the 1,000-word sweet spot for an engaging, SEO-ready blog post.

Also read Rahu Ketu Shanti Puja – Complete Guide
Also read Astrological Effects of Rahu & Ketu in Different Houses
Also read Who Should Perform Rahu Ketu Shanti Puja? Signs You Need It
Also read Mythology and Significance of Rahu & Ketu in Hindu Astrology
Also read Rahu & Ketu Remedies for Each House

Why This Puja Matters

Astrologically, Rahu governs obsession, sudden rise and equally sudden fall, while Ketu rules detachment, losses, and spiritual trials. When either planet occupies a malefic position in a birth chart, life may feel like an endless loop of delays, career blocks, fractured relationships, or mysterious health issues. A properly performed Rahu-Ketu Shanti Puja is believed to:

Neutralise doshas linked to these planets.
Ease obstacles around marriage, childbirth, or career growth.
Mitigate effects of ongoing Rahu-Ketu dasha or antar-dasha.
Offer psychological relief by giving devotees a clear ritual framework for change.

Seven High-Power Temples (With Booking Tips)

1. Srikalahasteeswara Temple, Andhra Pradesh

The undisputed epicentre for Rahu-Ketu Shanti. Six daily ticket tiers—from ₹150 courtyard seating to ₹5,000 inside the sanctum—run 365 days a year. Book online on the Andhra Pradesh temple portal: create an account, select “Pratyaksha Seva,” pay via UPI/cards, and download the QR e-token.

2. Tirunageswaram Naganathar (Rahu Sthalam), Tamil Nadu

Tour buses flock here for the famous “milk-turns-blue” abhishekam during Rahu Kalam. No digital system exists—arrive early, buy a counter token, and be inside the queue rope before the 90-minute Rahu Kalam window each day.

3. Keezhaperumpallam Naganathaswamy (Ketu Sthalam), Tamil Nadu

The only Navagraha shrine solely for Ketu. Devotees seeking breakthroughs in education or tech careers line up on Fridays and Sundays. Tickets are walk-in; reaching by 6 AM sidesteps the rush.

4. Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga, Maharashtra

The rare Jyotirlinga that conducts Rahu-Ketu rituals inside a kund beside the Godavari. Costs hover around ₹3,500–₹5,100 depending on mantra count. Lock a slot by calling an authorised panda or messaging the temple office WhatsApp; they issue a time-stamped token once you pay digitally.

5. Rahuri Rahu-Ketu Mandir, Maharashtra

A serene standalone pair of idols off the tourist radar. It’s donation-based: buy a puja kit at the gate, contribute what you wish, and perform the ritual under a priest’s guidance.

6. Paithani Rahu Temple, Uttarakhand

Famed for an 18,000-chant Rahu mool mantra yagya held on pre-announced dates. Secure a seat through Devdham.com, pay online, and keep the e-receipt handy; mobile networks are patchy in the hills.

7. Mahakaleshwar, Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh

Offers a combo “Sampoorna Rahu-Ketu Shanti” beside Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga darshan. Slots fill fast on Devaseva.com. Pay ₹2,100–₹5,100, and you’ll receive a video link plus prasad shipped to your address.

Step-By-Step Booking Blueprint

Consult Your Horoscope
Choose an auspicious date—Rahu Kalam, Tuesdays, Sundays, or even solar/lunar eclipses at Srikalahasti amplify results.
Create or Verify an Online Account
Needed for Srikalahasti, Devaseva, and Devdham. NRIs can use international cards, but the portal still demands an Indian mobile number—grab an e-SIM if travelling.
Select a Ticket Tier
Higher tiers usually mean closer seating, shorter queues, a silver Rahu-Ketu idol to drop in the hundi, and sometimes a video recording for remote family members.
Upload ID and Pay
Accepted IDs: Aadhaar, passport, PAN. Payment modes vary—UPI dominates domestic bookings; NRIs rely on credit cards or Wise.
Download & Print the E-Token
A thermal paper print-out often scans faster than a phone screen in the temple glare; carry both.

Pre-Puja Preparation

Diet: Switch to sattvic food 24 hr prior; strictly avoid onion, garlic, meat, and alcohol.
Dress Code: Traditional attire only—men in dhoti/veshti, women in saree or salwar. Some temples require men to go bare-chested inside the puja hall, so pack an extra shawl.
Offerings to Carry (if not part of kit):
- 2 snake-shaped silver/steel idols.
- 9 varieties of grains.
- Black sesame seeds, coconut, kumkum, flowers.
- Any family-specific items advised by your astrologer.

Tip: Buy these items locally near the temple; shops fashion kits tuned to that temple’s ritual script.

On-Site Ritual Flow

Sankalp: Priest recites your name, gotra, and purpose of puja.
Ganapati Puja: Removes obstacles before the main ritual.
Kalasha Sthapana & Rahu-Ketu Mantra Japa: Typically 108 or 1,008 repetitions.
Homa (Fire Ritual): Offer grains, ghee, and the snake idols into the sacred fire.
Purnahuti & Prasad: Final offerings, ash mark on the forehead, and receipt of prasad.

Total time ranges from 45 min in Rahuri to 3 hr at Trimbakeshwar.

Post-Puja Dos & Don’ts

Avoid Non-Veg & Alcohol until sunrise the next day.
Donate: Feeding the poor or donating clothes magnifies the ritual’s merit.
Free Darshan Window: Srikalahasti grants one express darshan within 24 hr—keep the receipt.
Follow-Up Remedies: Wear a gomed (hessonite garnet) for Rahu or cat’s-eye for Ketu only after consulting an astrologer to prevent unintended side effects.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is hair tonsure required?
No. Tonsure is linked to Sarpa Samskara at Kukke Subramanya, not Rahu-Ketu Shanti. Check specific temple customs ahead.

Can women perform the puja during menses?
Temples differ: Srikalahasti restricts entry, whereas Rahuri priests are lenient. Plan dates accordingly.

How early should I arrive?
One hour for counter tickets, 30 min for e-token holders. Holiday weekends and eclipse days demand at least 2 hr.

Does the puja guarantee results?
Vedic remedies work in tandem with karma. Most devotees report perceptible relief within three to six months, but outcomes vary.

Final Thought

Whether you’re battling career stagnation or seeking marital harmony, a thoughtfully scheduled Rahu-Ketu Shanti Puja can become a pivotal reset button in life’s journey. Choose the temple that resonates with you, follow the booking blueprint, and approach the ritual with faith and discipline. The blend of ancient Vedic chants, crackling sacred fire, and focused intention offers not just astrological correction but a profound psychological reboot—precisely why thousands of devotees queue up year after year, hoping to turn planetary hurdles into stepping stones toward peace and prosperity.

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Top Temples for Rahu-Ketu Shanti Puja (and How to Book) – Simplified Guide