One of the important rituals associated with Vaishnavas is to put on the “marks of Vishnu” on the body everyday. This consists of putting the “Urdhva Pundra” and the “Mudras”. The Urdhva Pundra Dharana (putting on Urdhava Pundra) consists of using the Gopi Chandana and applying the same to 12 parts of the body i.e forehead, lower abdomen (center, left and right), chest, both arms, the neck (center, left and right), lower back and below the neck at the back.
Gopi Chandana
The Gopi Chandana is made of a special soil available near Dwaraka in Gujarat. If Gopi Chandana is unavailable, plain water can also be used but putting on the Urdhva Pundra is compulsory.
Similarly, the 5 mudras have to be applied to the 12 parts mentioned above. The 5 mudras are Shankha, Chakra, Gada, Padma and Narayana.
Shankha Mudra
Chakra Mudra
Padma Mudra
Gada Mudra
Narayana Mudra
The ritual of putting on Gopi and Mudras is followed especially by Madhvas.

Filed under: Religion, dvaita | Tagged: chandana, dharana, gopi, madhva, mudra, pundra, urdhva
how far i have known and heard of, even the right chest is to be included..
Dear Arun,
The 12 I have mentioned are the basic or core ones. Each matha has some small deviations/changes. So some of them do apply on the right side of the chest, some on both.
Regards, Hari
Namaskara,
I am bit confused. The captions for Gada and Padma mudra are interchanged. Please check once more.
Haraye Namaha
Kale Balkrishna
Indeed! Many thanks.
Regards, Hari
Namaskara Hari Avare,
Thanks for the correction with regards to Mudra Captions.
Haraye Namaha
Kale Balkrishna
I think u’ve interchanged narayana and gada mudra….
Namaste,
I felt good seeing your blog. I want to know about performing ganahoma…
thank u soo much
i need to no the mudras of chakras is there any book or cds related to it. please let me know my email id is ravipujari@rediffmail.com
i need to know about mudras of chakras. please help me, if there is any book of mudras of chakras or cds. please mail me the details of the same. my email is ravipujari@rediffmail.com