Phra Rahu

Pra Rahu

Why People Worship Pra Rahu
Pra Rahu is considered an asura and a planetary deity in Hindu and Buddhist traditions. In astronomy, Rahu is not a physical planet but the point where the moon crosses the ecliptic plane during its upward motion, leading to solar and lunar eclipses, often referred to as Rahu swallowing the sun or the moon. Despite its seemingly ominous nature, Rahu is also associated with fortune and luck. Worshipping Rahu serves as a reminder to stay mindful and cautious in decision-making, helping to bring clarity and success to one’s life.

Who Should Worship Pra Rahu?
It is believed that praying to Rahu can help avert misfortunes and attract good luck, promoting career advancement. Rahu is particularly significant for those born on Wednesday nights and those born on Saturday, as well as those born on Tuesday, as these individuals are thought to benefit from Rahu’s influence. Travelers and risk-takers often pray to Rahu for good fortune. However, anyone can worship Rahu as a gesture of forming a positive connection with the deity.

How to Worship Pra Rahu
It is customary to worship Rahu on Wednesday nights. Since this can be late, you can perform acts of merit related to the numbers 8 and 12, such as offering alms to 8 or 12 monks in the morning, or making donations related to light, such as paying for electricity, donating light bulbs, or filling oil lamps. At home, you can start the worship after 6 PM. During eclipses, it is recommended to chant the Rahu worship mantra, Suriyabhappa Mantra, and Chanthabhappa Mantra.

Offerings for Pra Rahu
Rahu is symbolized by the number 8 and has a power of 12. You can prepare 8 or 12 items for offerings, which may include:

1. Boiled black chicken
2. Grilled catfish
3. Black liquor
4. Black coffee
5. Grass jelly
6. Cola (or any dark-colored soft drink)
7. Chicken soup
8. Black sesame seeds
9. Black beans
10. Black sticky rice
11. Seaweed
12. Century eggs

If time is limited, you can buy simpler offerings from convenience stores, such as seaweed, dark-colored soft drinks, black coffee, black tea, chocolate, chicken soup, black candies, or cookies. Offer what is conveniently available and appropriate for your budget. Use the same number of incense sticks as the number of offerings (e.g., 8 offerings use 8 incense sticks).

Steps to Worship Pra Rahu

Face northwest while worshipping Rahu, preferably outdoors. Start with the Namo chant 3 times, followed by the worship mantra:

Namo Tassa
Namo Tassa Bhagavato Arahato Samma Sambuddhassa (3 times)

Worship Mantra for Pra Rahu

Ginnusaṁtara māno varāhu suriyaṅ pamujjasi
Sangviggaru po āgam makinna bhi to vat iṭṭasi
Sattadā me phale muddhā jīvanto na su khaṁ labhe
Buddha kāthābhigi to mehi no che muñjeyya suriyanti
Ginnusaṁtara māno varāhu candim pamujjasi
Sangviggaru po āgam makinna bhi to vat iṭṭasi
Sattadā me phale muddhā jīvanto na su khaṁ labhe
Buddha kāthābhigi to mehi no che muñjeyya candimanti

Suriyabhappa Mantra

Kussetomama Kussetoto Lalāmama
Tolāmo Tolāmomama Tolāmomama
Tolāmotang Hekutimama Hekuti

Chanthabhappa Mantra

Yattatamama Tantaya Tavatam
Mamatang Vatitam Sekamama
Kasetam Katiyang Mama Yatika

Offering Prayer for Pra Rahu

Namo me Pra Rahu Deva Nang Thupa Deepa Ja Pup Phang
Sakkāra Wandanaṃ Supa Payanjana Sampannaṃ Bhojana Nang
Sālinang Saparivāraṃ Udakaṃ Varanang
Ākacchantu Paribhunjantu Sabbada Hitāya Sukhāya Pra Rahu Deva
Mahiddhikā Te Pi Amhe Anurakkhantu Arogaye Na Sukhemaca

Rahu Worship Mantra (Chant 12 times)

Ka Put Pan Tu Tham Wa Ka
I, [Name], worship Pra Rahu with 8 (or 12) black offerings. May the influence of Rahu bring good fortune to my destiny. May I meet good friends, have strong health, and experience family happiness. May Rahu grant me wealth and success. (Make additional wishes as desired)

Taking Offerings and Enhancing Blessings

When the incense is almost burnt out, take the offerings and consume them for good fortune. Before eating each item, chant the mantra “Ka Put Pan Tu Tham Wa Ka”. To enhance blessings after worshipping Pra Rahu, perform acts of merit, such as:

1. Offering alms to 8 or 12 monks
2. Donating items related to light, such as paying for electricity, donating light bulbs, filling oil lamps, or donating books
3. Meditating and chanting the Rahu worship mantra 12 times every Wednesday night

Regular worship of Pra Rahu is believed to bring wealth, success, and safety during travels. Ventures such as gambling or investments are believed to prosper, and those who think, speak, and act with good intentions will find good fortune and success.

Popular Places to Worship Pra Rahu in Bangkok and Nearby Provinces

1. Wat Traimit Withayaram, Bangkok
2. Rahu Shrine, Bangkok
3. Wat Khun Chan, Bangkok
4. Ganesha Shrine, Bang Yai, Nonthaburi
5. Wat Tha Mai, Samut Sakhon
6. Wat Sisathong, Nakhon Pathom
7. Wat Saman Rattanaram, Chachoengsao
8. Wat Sao Hin, Chiang Mai