Mahamrityunjay Jaap in Trimbakeshwar
Mahamrityunjay Jaap is the chanting of the Mahamrityunjay mantra – Om Tryambakam Yajamahe – by pandits, usually 1.25 lakh times, followed by a havan. The mantra is from the Rigveda (7.59.12) and is a prayer to Lord Shiva for good health, long life and freedom from the fear of death. At Trimbakeshwar, it is done near the Jyotirlinga of Lord Tryambakeshwar – the same "Tryambakam" the mantra prays to.
- Mantra from the Rigveda
- For health and long life
- Jaap + havan by pandits
By Pandit Narayan Guruji, Trimbakeshwar · 21+ years of puja · Updated 25 Oct 2026
The mantra
Mahamrityunjay Mantra and Its Meaning
The Mahamrityunjay mantra is one of the oldest mantras of Lord Shiva. It is found in the Rigveda (Mandala 7, Sukta 59, Verse 12) and again in the Yajurveda. "Maha" means great, "Mrityu" means death and "Jaya" means victory – so its name means the great mantra of victory over death.
ॐ त्र्यम्बकं यजामहे सुगन्धिं पुष्टिवर्धनम् ।
उर्वारुकमिव बन्धनान् मृत्योर्मुक्षीय माऽमृतात् ॥
Om Tryambakam Yajamahe Sugandhim Pushtivardhanam,
Urvarukamiva Bandhanan Mrityor Mukshiya Mamritat.
Rigveda 7.59.12 · also in the Yajurveda
Meaning in simple words
"We worship the three-eyed Lord Shiva, who is fragrant and who nourishes all life. Just as a ripe cucumber is freed easily from its vine, may He free us from death and from the fear of death, and not keep us away from immortality."
The mantra does not ask for a body that never dies. It asks for a healthy, full life, and for a peaceful, fearless end when the time comes – like a ripe fruit that falls on its own.
The story of Rishi Markandeya
According to the Puranas, the young Rishi Markandeya was destined to die at sixteen. When Yama came for him, he held on to the Shivling and chanted this mantra. Lord Shiva appeared and saved him, and Markandeya lived on. That is why the mantra is linked with protection from untimely death.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Om | The sacred sound |
| Tryambakam | The three-eyed one – Lord Shiva |
| Yajamahe | We worship |
| Sugandhim | The fragrant one |
| Pushtivardhanam | Who nourishes and gives strength |
| Urvarukam iva | Like a ripe cucumber |
| Bandhanan | From its bond (the vine) |
| Mrityor Mukshiya | Free us from death |
| Ma Amritat | But not from immortality |
Is it for you?
Who Should Do Mahamrityunjay Jaap?
Mahamrityunjay Jaap is done for good health, long life and protection. Families usually get it done in these situations – for themselves or for a family member who cannot sit for the jaap.
Main reasons
When families most often get the jaap done.
- When someone in the family has a long illness or is going through treatment, along with the doctor's care.
- Before a surgery or a big medical procedure, for strength and peace of mind.
- After an accident, or when there is a fear of danger or untimely death.
- For elderly parents, for health and a peaceful old age.
- On a birthday or an important day, for long life.
In the kundali
Astrologers also advise it for these reasons.
- Markesh dasha – the period linked with health risk in the kundali.
- Weak or troubled Moon, or Saturn, Rahu or Ketu dasha.
- Nadi dosh in kundali matching before marriage.
- Sade sati of Saturn.
- Bad dreams or constant fear without reason.
Please note: Mahamrityunjay Jaap is a prayer for strength and healing. It does not replace medical treatment – always follow your doctor's advice. The jaap can be done in the name of a family member who cannot travel, with their name and gotra in the sankalp.
How many jaap
How Many Times Is the Mahamrityunjay Mantra Chanted?
The full Mahamrityunjay Jaap is 1,25,000 (sawa lakh) chants of the mantra, done by a group of pandits over several days, followed by a havan. Smaller jaaps of 11,000, 21,000 or 51,000 are also done, depending on the need and the time the family has.
- Usually
- 1 day
- Good for
- Birthdays, a small sankalp, peace of mind
- Ends with
- Havan of 1,100 ahutis
- Usually
- 1 to 2 days
- Good for
- Before a surgery, recovery from illness
- Ends with
- Havan of 2,100 ahutis
- Usually
- 2 to 3 days
- Good for
- Long illness, troubled dasha
- Ends with
- Havan of 5,100 ahutis
- Usually
- 5 to 7 days, by a group of pandits
- Good for
- Serious illness, Markesh dasha, fear of untimely death
- Ends with
- Havan of 12,500 ahutis
The rule of dashansh: after the jaap, one-tenth of the count is offered into the havan. So 1,25,000 jaap is followed by 12,500 ahutis. This completes the jaap.
Days depend on pandits: the more pandits sit together, the fewer days the jaap takes. Guruji tells you the number of pandits and the exact days for your sankalp.
The place
Why Do Mahamrityunjay Jaap at Trimbakeshwar?
The Mahamrityunjay mantra can be chanted anywhere, but many families choose Trimbakeshwar for the full jaap. There is a direct link between the mantra and this temple.
Tryambakam=Tryambakeshwar=Trimbakeshwar
The mantra begins with "Om Tryambakam Yajamahe" – "we worship Tryambaka, the three-eyed Lord". Trimbakeshwar is the temple of Lord Tryambakeshwar, the same three-eyed Shiva, worshipped here as one of the 12 Jyotirlingas. Chanting the mantra here is chanting it in front of the very form of Shiva it is addressed to.
One of the 12 Jyotirlingas
Trimbakeshwar is a Jyotirlinga of Lord Shiva, with three small faces for Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh.
Source of the Godavari
The holy Godavari begins at Brahmagiri hill. The jaap begins with a holy dip in the Kushavarta Kund.
Pandits who chant daily
Families of pandits here chant Vedic mantras every day and know the full vidhi of jaap and havan.
Rudrabhishek with the jaap
Many families also do a Rudrabhishek of Lord Shiva along with the Mahamrityunjay Jaap.
Puja vidhi
Mahamrityunjay Jaap Vidhi – How the Jaap Is Done
The jaap is done by trained pandits with a set vidhi. The family takes part in the sankalp, the start of the jaap, and the havan at the end. If the person cannot be present, the jaap is done in their name.
Holy dip and Ganesh puja
The day starts with a holy dip in the Kushavarta Kund. Lord Ganesh is worshipped first, so that the jaap goes well.
Sankalp
Guruji takes the sankalp with the name, gotra and nakshatra of the person, the number of jaap, and the reason – for example health or long life.
Kalash, Navagraha and Shiva puja
A kalash is set up, the nine planets are worshipped, and Lord Shiva is worshipped with bel patra, flowers and abhishek.
Mantra jaap
The pandits chant the Mahamrityunjay mantra with a Rudraksha mala, counting every round, until the full number is complete.
Dashansh havan
One-tenth of the jaap count is offered into the holy fire with ghee, til and samidha.
Purnahuti and aarti
The jaap ends with the final offering, aarti and prayers. Prasad and the abhishek water are given to the family.
The time depends on the number of jaap – from one day for 11,000 to about a week for 1,25,000. Guruji confirms the days for your sankalp.
Muhurat
Best Days for Mahamrityunjay Jaap in 2027
Mahamrityunjay Jaap can be started on any good day, but days sacred to Lord Shiva are the most chosen – Mondays, Pradosh, Masik Shivratri, Maha Shivratri and the month of Shravan. For a long jaap, it is often started on a Monday. Here are these days in 2027, worked out from the Hindu panchang for Trimbakeshwar.
The night of Lord Shiva. Jaap on this day is given great importance.
The month of Shiva. Shravan Mondays fall on 9, 16, 23 and 30 August.
Monday (Somvar) is Lord Shiva's day. A long jaap is usually started on a Monday.
January 2027
- 5Tue · Pradosh + Masik Shivratri
- 20Wed · Pradosh
February 2027
- 3Wed · Pradosh
- 4Thu · Masik Shivratri
- 18Thu · Pradosh
March 2027
- 5Fri · Pradosh
- 6Sat · Maha Shivratri
- 20Sat · Pradosh
April 2027
- 4Sun · Pradosh
- 5Mon · Masik Shivratri
- 18Sun · Pradosh
May 2027
- 4Tue · Pradosh + Masik Shivratri
- 17Mon · Som Pradosh
June 2027
- 2Wed · Pradosh
- 3Thu · Masik Shivratri
- 16Wed · Pradosh
July 2027
- 1Thu · Pradosh
- 2Fri · Masik Shivratri
- 15Thu · Pradosh
- 31Sat · Pradosh + Masik Shivratri
August 2027
- 14Sat · Pradosh
- 29Sun · Pradosh
- 30Mon · Masik Shivratri
September 2027
- 13Mon · Som Pradosh
- 27Mon · Som Pradosh
- 28Tue · Masik Shivratri
October 2027
- 12Tue · Pradosh
- 27Wed · Pradosh + Masik Shivratri
November 2027
- 11Thu · Pradosh
- 25Thu · Pradosh
- 26Fri · Masik Shivratri
December 2027
- 11Sat · Pradosh
- 25Sat · Pradosh
- 26Sun · Masik Shivratri
Pradosh is the Trayodashi tithi at sunset; a Pradosh on Monday (Som Pradosh) is seen as very good. Masik Shivratri is the Krishna Chaturdashi of every month. Guruji confirms the start day for your sankalp. In 2027, Trimbakeshwar is very crowded on the Simhastha Kumbh Amrit Snan days – 2 August, 31 August and 12 September.
Benefits of Mahamrityunjay Jaap
These are the benefits that families pray for and believe in when they get the jaap done.
- Strength in illnessInner strength and faith during illness and recovery.
- Long and healthy lifeA prayer for good health and long life.
- Freedom from fearLess fear of accidents and untimely death.
- Calm for troubled planetsPeace during Markesh dasha, Sade sati or a weak Moon.
- Peace of mindA calm mind, better sleep and less worry.
- Blessings of Lord ShivaFor the whole family, near His Jyotirlinga.
Mahamrityunjay Jaap – Key Facts
- Mantra
- Om Tryambakam Yajamahe Sugandhim Pushtivardhanam…
- Source
- Rigveda 7.59.12; also in the Yajurveda
- Prayer to
- Lord Shiva as Tryambaka, the three-eyed one
- Full jaap
- 1,25,000 chants (sawa lakh) + havan of 12,500
- Smaller jaaps
- 11,000 · 21,000 · 51,000
- Days
- 1 day (11,000) to about 5–7 days (1,25,000)
- Best days
- Monday, Pradosh, Shivratri, Shravan; Maha Shivratri 6 Mar 2027
- Where
- Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga, about 28 km from Nashik
- Jaap by
- Pandit Narayan Guruji, 21+ years at Trimbakeshwar
Questions
Mahamrityunjay Jaap – FAQs
What is Mahamrityunjay Jaap?
Mahamrityunjay Jaap is the chanting of the Mahamrityunjay mantra, Om Tryambakam Yajamahe, by pandits a fixed number of times – usually 1,25,000 – followed by a havan. It is a prayer to Lord Shiva for good health, long life and freedom from the fear of death.
What is the meaning of the Mahamrityunjay mantra?
It means: we worship the three-eyed Lord Shiva, who is fragrant and nourishes all life; as a ripe cucumber is freed from its vine, may He free us from death and not from immortality. It is from the Rigveda, 7.59.12.
How many times should the Mahamrityunjay mantra be chanted?
For daily prayer, 108 times (one mala) is enough. For a full Mahamrityunjay Jaap, pandits chant it 1,25,000 times. Smaller jaaps of 11,000, 21,000 or 51,000 are also done. A havan of one-tenth of the count completes the jaap.
How many days does Mahamrityunjay Jaap take?
It depends on the number of jaap and pandits. An 11,000 jaap is usually done in one day, while a full 1,25,000 jaap usually takes about 5 to 7 days with a group of pandits.
Why do Mahamrityunjay Jaap at Trimbakeshwar?
The mantra prays to Tryambaka, the three-eyed Shiva, and Trimbakeshwar is the Jyotirlinga of Lord Tryambakeshwar – the same form of Shiva. It is also where the Godavari river begins, about 28 km from Nashik in Maharashtra.
Who should do Mahamrityunjay Jaap?
It is done for a family member with a long illness, before a surgery, after an accident, for elderly parents, on birthdays, and when astrologers see Markesh dasha, Nadi dosh, Sade sati or a weak Moon in the kundali.
Can Mahamrityunjay Jaap be done in someone else's name?
Yes. If the person is ill or cannot travel, the jaap is done in their name, with their name, gotra and nakshatra in the sankalp. A family member can sit for the sankalp, or it can be done online.
What is the best day to start Mahamrityunjay Jaap?
Mondays, Pradosh, Masik Shivratri, Maha Shivratri and the month of Shravan are the most chosen. In 2027, Maha Shivratri is on 6 March and Shravan is from 3 to 31 August.
Can I chant the Mahamrityunjay mantra at home?
Yes. Anyone can chant it at home with faith, ideally 108 times in the morning with a Rudraksha mala. The 1,25,000 jaap with havan is done by trained pandits.
Does Mahamrityunjay Jaap cure illness?
Mahamrityunjay Jaap is a spiritual prayer for strength, healing and peace of mind. It does not replace medical treatment, and the doctor's advice should always be followed.
What is the difference between Mahamrityunjay Jaap and Rudrabhishek?
Mahamrityunjay Jaap is the repeated chanting of one mantra for health and long life. Rudrabhishek is the abhishek of the Shivling with milk, water and other items while chanting the Rudra hymns. Many families do both together.
How do I book Mahamrityunjay Jaap in Trimbakeshwar?
Call or WhatsApp Pandit Narayan Guruji on +91 81778 98047. Share the name, gotra and nakshatra of the person, and the reason for the jaap. Guruji suggests the number of jaap, the days and a good start date.
Talk to Pandit Narayan Guruji
A third-generation pandit at Trimbakeshwar with 21+ years of experience and more than 60,000 pujas. He studied Vedic rituals at Banaras Hindu University and guides families in Marathi, Hindi and English.
Also read: Kaal Sarp Dosh · Pitra Dosh · Narayan Nagbali