Thiruvilakku Poojai (lamp worship) is a sacred ritual predominantly performed by women to invoke the blessings of Goddess Mahalakshmi for family prosperity, longevity of the husband (sumangali bhagyam), and overall peace. The 108 Potri (names of praise) are chanted while offering flowers or vermillion (kumkum) to the lamp, which is viewed as a physical manifestation of divine light. The 108 Potri (English Transliteration)
Below are the opening chants for the 108 Potri used during the ritual: Transliteration (Tamil to English) Meaning/Significance 1 Om Ponnum Meipporulhum Tharuvai Potri Praise to the giver of gold and true wealth 2 Om Bhogamum Thiruvum Punarppai Potri Praise to the provider of joy and prosperity 3 Om Muttraarivu Oliyai Milirndhai Potri Praise to the one who shines as pure wisdom 4 Om Moovulagum Niraindhirundhai Potri Praise to the one who fills the three worlds 5 Om Varambil Inbamai Valarndhirundhai Potri Praise to the one who grows as limitless bliss 6 Om Iyarkaiyai Arivoli Aanai Potri Praise to the one who is the natural light of knowledge 7 Om Eerezhulagam Eendrai Potri Praise to the creator of the fourteen worlds 8 Om Pirar Vayamaga Periyoy Potri Praise to the supreme one who is independent 9 Om Perinba Perukkai Polindhai Potri Praise to the one who overflows with great happiness 10 Om Perarul Kadalam Perarule Potri Praise to the ocean of supreme grace
Note: For the full list of 108, refer to detailed guides on platforms like Scribd or LearnKolam. Performing the Poojai at Home
While often held as a community event in temples, you can easily perform this poojai at home: Thiru Vilakku Poojai - Sri Naga Sai Temple
Thiruvilakku Poojai is a powerful ritual where the Divine Mother is worshipped in the form of a flame (Jyoti). Performing this pooja by chanting the
(praises) is believed to remove darkness from one's life and bring home wealth, health, and prosperity. Quick Guide to Thiruvilakku Poojai : Traditionally performed on , especially during the Tamil months of (July–August) and (January–February). Preparation
: Clean the pooja area and the lamp (Kuthu Vilakku). Place the lamp on a small pile of raw rice over a banana leaf. The Ritual
: Use ghee and a cotton wick to light the lamp. Begin with a prayer to Lord Ganesha before starting the 108 Potri for the lamp. 108 Thiruvilakku Potri (English Transliteration) thiruvilakku poojai 108 potri in english repack
While chanting, you can offer flowers, kumkum, or turmeric at the base of the lamp for each "Potri". Om Ponnum meipporulun tharuvai Potri (Giver of gold and true wealth) Om Bogamum thiruvum punarpai Potri (Bestower of enjoyment and prosperity) Om Mutrarivu oliyai milirndhai Potri (The light of supreme knowledge) Om Moovulagum niraindhirundhai Potri (Pervading all three worlds) Om Varambil inbamai valarndhirundhai Potri (Limitless growing bliss) Om Iyarkaiyai arivoli aanai Potri (The natural light of wisdom) Om Eerezhuulagam yeendrai Potri (Creator of the fourteen worlds) Om Pirarvayamaga periyoy Potri (The supreme one who is independent) Om Perinba perukkai polindhai Potri (Overflowing with supreme happiness) Om Perarul kadalam perarule Potri (The ocean of great grace) Om Mudivil aatral udaiyai Potri (Endless in power) Om Moovulagun thozha moothoy Potri (The eldest worshipped by three worlds) Om Alavila selvam tharuvai Potri (Giver of immeasurable wealth) Om Aanandha arivoli vilakke Potri (The lamp of blissful wisdom) Om enum porulai ulloy Potri (The meaning of the sacred 'Om') Om Irul keduthu inbarul endhai Potri (The father/mother who removes darkness for bliss) Om Mangala nayagi maamani Potri (The auspicious great gem) Om Valamai nalgum valliye Potri (The goddess who grants abundance) Om Aram valar nayagi ammaye Potri (The mother who grows righteousness) Om Min oli ammayam vilakke Potri (The lamp that shines like lightning) Om Min oli pizhamai valarndhai Potri (The growing flame of light) Om Thaiyal nayagi thaye Potri (Mother who is the leader of women) Om Thondar agathammar thumani Potri (Pure gem residing in devotees' hearts) Om Mukat sudarin mudhalvi Potri (The primary one of the three-eyed flame) Om Olikkul oliyai uyarvai Potri (The supreme light within light) Om Choodamaniye sudaroli Potri (The radiant crest jewel) Om Irul ozhithu inbam eevoy Potri (Dispeller of darkness and giver of joy) Om Arul pozhindhu emmai aalvoy Potri (The one who rules us with grace) Om Arivinukku arivai aanai Potri (The wisdom within wisdom) Om Illaga vilakkam iraivi Potri (The goddess who is the light of the home) Om Sudare vilakkam thuyai Potri (The pure one who is the flame)
(The list continues up to 108, focusing on various attributes of Divine Light and Shakti) Closing the Pooja
: Offer fruits, sugar pongal, or simple betel leaves as Neivedyam.
: Perform Karpoora Harathi (camphor aarthi) and circumambulate (Pradakshinam) the lamp three times. Conclusion
: Move the lamp slightly toward the East to conclude. Use a flower to gently quell the flame (do not blow it out). in a downloadable format or a specific Tamil-to-English translation for a particular verse?
Thiruvilakku Poojai 108 Potri (English Translation) The Thiruvilakku Poojai is a sacred ritual centered on the divine lamp, often identified with Goddess Lakshmi (Deepalakshmi). Performing this pooja on Fridays, especially during Tamil months like Aadi and Thai, is believed to bring prosperity and peace to the home.
Below is a repacked guide featuring the core of the 108 Potri (greetings) translated into English, followed by its spiritual benefits. Selected 108 Potri Greetings (English Meanings) Thiruvilakku Poojai (lamp worship) is a sacred ritual
These mantras are traditionally chanted while offering flowers or kumkum to the base of the lamp:
Om Potri – Obeisance to you who bestows riches and true wisdom.
Om Potri – You who shine bright as the light of knowledge.
Om Potri – You who are present in the three worlds (Heaven, Earth, and Pathala).
Om Potri – You who never separate from Lord Shiva (Ardhanaari form). Om Potri – You who are the beginning and the end.
Om Potri – You who destroy old evil deeds and past karmas.
Om Potri – You who are the manifestation of the universe and the sacred sound "AUM". Om Potri – You who feed all the hungry in the world. Preparation (Essential Items)
Om Potri – You who protect those who surrender to your holy feet. Om Potri – You who grant long life to the family. Ritual Benefits by Tamil Month
Lighting the lamp and chanting these names on Pournami (Full Moon) nights brings specific blessings based on the month: Chithirai: Provision of grains and food. Vaikasi: Gain of wealth. Aani: Blessings for a life partner. Aadi: Long life and protection. Aippasi: Removal of poverty and hunger. Thai: Victory in all endeavors. How to Perform
Preparation: Clean and decorate the lamp with sandalwood and kumkum.
Lighting: Use ghee or oil and five cotton wicks for a traditional Kuthu Vilakku. Chanting: Recite the 108 names while offering petals.
Conclusion: Offer neivedhyam (food offering), followed by deepam and aarathi. It is customary to prostrate 16 times after the prayer to maximize its benefits.
Thiruvilakku (Tamil: திருவிளக்கு) translates to "Sacred Lamp." Thiru denotes reverence, and Vilakku means light. The poojai is a dedicated worship ritual where a traditional brass or silver lamp (usually a Kuthu Vilakku with five or seven wicks) is honored as a manifestation of the Divine.