12 types of Kaal Sarp Yog

Both spellings mean the same ritual — the Hindi पूजा is written puja or pooja in English. Kaal Sarp Pooja, Kalsarp Puja, Kaal Sarp Yog Shanti and Kaal Sarp Dosh Nivaran Puja all refer to the shanti performed at Trimbakeshwar.

The shanti is traditionally performed beside the Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga, about 28 km from Nashik city, which is why families looking for Kaal Sarp Puja in Nashik come to Trimbak. Guruji performs it in his puja hall near the temple, after the holy bath at Kushavarta.

Look at where Rahu and Ketu sit in your birth chart. If all seven other planets — Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus and Saturn — fall on one side between them, Kaal Sarp Yog is present. Guruji checks this for free from your date, time and place of birth.

If one planet sits outside the Rahu–Ketu axis, or shares a house with Rahu or Ketu, many astrologers call it partial Kaal Sarp Yog. Its effect is considered milder, and Guruji advises whether a puja is needed.

When the planets are hemmed in moving towards Rahu (the serpent's mouth) it is called Udit (ascending); when they move towards Ketu it is called Anudit (descending). Udit is traditionally considered stronger.

Tradition says its effect is strongest until about the age of 42 to 47, and some texts speak of effects up to 55. The puja is believed to reduce its effect at any age.

Yes. Many astrologers note that people with this yog often rise to great success after a period of struggle. The puja is done to ease the struggle, not because the yog is only negative.

Usually once in a lifetime is advised, at Trimbakeshwar, on a muhurat chosen from your chart. Guruji will tell you if anything further is needed.

Yes. Women perform the puja in a new saree after the holy bath. During menstruation the puja is usually postponed — Guruji will help fix a suitable date.

Yes. Parents often perform it for children, and Guruji can perform it with the person's name and birth details in the sankalp, including online.

The silver naag pratima worshipped during the puja is immersed in the holy waters as part of the ritual.

The rituals are performed at Trimbakeshwar by authorised purohits, beginning with the bath at Kushavarta and darshan of the Jyotirlinga.

Kaal Sarp Yog is described in later astrological tradition rather than the oldest classical texts, but it is widely accepted by practising astrologers and Trimbakeshwar has long been its foremost place of shanti.

Yes. They are different names for the same shanti puja for Kaal Sarp Yog: Kalsarp Shanti, Kaal Sarp Dosh Nivaran Puja and Kaal Sarp Yoga Shanti all refer to it.