saligrama

The Source of Saligrama:--Saligramas are not man made.They are found in Gandaki River in Nepal. Salagrami in another name for the river. The river runs in mountaineous region. Hence the water level is not easily approachable as we have to get down in very deep vallyes to get to the river bed to collect the saligramas.therefore it is difficult to get genuine salgramas.One has to buy it from ginuine people and one who knows about Saligrams have to be consulted to find out if it is ginuine.On Saligrams Formations of Shanka and Chakras is the unique speciality. These marks can be found either on the inside the small or out side.
There are many kinds of Saligramas, with different names for each, like Sudharsahana, Rathna Gharba, Hyagrva,
Mathsya and so on.
The Lords Prathima and Saligrama are both are puja objects. A Prathima needs Prana Prathishta before we comence puja for the first time. For the saligrama there no such necessity, puja can be started right away.
There need be no fear to keep a Saligrama at home. It has to be kept in a Silver or Pithal box{called sampushta}, usually it used to be kept ina box covered by deer skin. Now it is dificult to puchse these due to Govt restristions. So tie the Saligrama box in a pure silk cloth and keep it in the gods room. Dont touch it without a bath, after food or at any time of the day. Do puja immediatly after a bath wearing clean clothes.ONLY MEN ARE ALLOWED TO TOUCH AND WORSHIP A SALIGRAMA.