Panchayatana Puja consists of worship of five deities: Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu, Devi, Lord Surya and Lord Ganesha. As per the traditions followed by Smarta households, one of these deities is kept in the centre and surrounded by four others. All the deities are worshipped. The five deities are represented either by murtis, five stones or five marks that are drawn on the floor.
Udasi sect follows the traditions of Panchayatana. These followers believe in Sri Guru Granth Sahib which the Udasis interpret according to Vedanta philosophy. They take part in both Nirgun Pooja as well as respect Sarguna Saroop through Aarti traditions of Sanatan Dharma.
There are five forms of arranging the deities:
Shiva Panchayata
Vishnu Surya
Shiva
Devi Ganesh
Vishnu Panchayata
Shiva Ganesh
Vishnu
Devi Surya
Surya Panchayata
Shiva Ganesh
Surya
Devi Vishnu
Devi Panchayata
Vishnu Shiva
Devi
Surya Ganesh
Ganesh Panchayata
Vishnu Shiva
Ganesh
Devi Surya
One of the major reasons of doing the panchayatana Puja is to overcome the bheda-bhava among the different deities of various sects. Panchayatana system recognizes that there may be some personal preferences among people and there should be enough freedom to worship one`s ishta devata in a special way.
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