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How to Worship Nature in Hinduism - A Comprehensive Guide

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Nature worship is integral to Hinduism, rooted in the belief that divinity pervades everything in the natural world. Trees, rivers, animals, mountains, sun, moon, and the five elements (earth, water, fire, air, and space) are all venerated. The purpose of nature worship is to honor the interconnectedness between humans and nature, promote ecological balance, and express gratitude to the forces that sustain life.

This guide will outline how to conduct a simple, eco-friendly puja (worship) for nature in Hinduism, with a focus on cleanliness, timing, attire, puja items, steps, mantras, and what to do with the offerings afterward.

Cleanliness and Preparation

  1. Personal Cleanliness:

    • Start the worship with a bath. Cleanliness is considered a key part of preparing for any puja, ensuring both the body and mind are pure.
    • Avoid using soaps or shampoos with harsh chemicals if possible. Opt for natural products like soapnut or sandalwood paste.

  2. Space Cleanliness:

    • Clean the area where you intend to perform the puja, whether it’s outdoors in a garden, near a tree, or indoors near a plant.
    • Use biodegradable cleaning agents if needed.

Best Time for Nature Worship

  • The ideal time for worship is in the early morning, especially during sunrise when the natural world is calm and most receptive.
  • Specific days that are considered auspicious for nature-related worship include Amavasya (New Moon), Purnima (Full Moon), and festivals like Vanamahotsava, Vriksha Puja, and Makar Sankranti.

Attire for the Puja

  • Clothes: Wear clean, fresh, and modest attire. Prefer light, natural-colored clothing made from cotton or other eco-friendly fabrics.
  • Recommended Colors: White, green, or yellow, symbolizing purity, nature, and devotion respectively.

Eco-Friendly Puja Items

To minimize environmental impact, use traditional, eco-friendly products. Here’s a list of items you can gather:

  1. Flowers: Fresh, organic flowers like marigold, jasmine, hibiscus, and lotus. Do not pluck too many flowers—take only what is necessary.
  2. Leaves: Sacred leaves such as Tulsi (holy basil), Bel (Bael leaves), Peepal (sacred fig), and banana leaves.
  3. Water: Use fresh, filtered water from a natural source if possible. You may collect rainwater or river water.
  4. Fruits: Organic fruits like bananas, coconuts, and berries.
  5. Incense: Use natural incense sticks made from sandalwood, camphor, or dried flowers. Avoid synthetic fragrances.
  6. Earthen Lamps (Diyas): Light earthen diyas using ghee (clarified butter) or sesame oil.
  7. Agarbatti: Eco-friendly agarbattis made from natural ingredients like bamboo, herbal oils, and flowers.
  8. Traditional Puja Plate: Use copper, brass, or clay plates and vessels.

Simple Steps of the Puja

  1. Preparation and Meditation:

    • Begin by meditating for a few minutes. Calm your mind and focus on nature's abundance.

  2. Placement of Items:

    • Arrange your puja items on a small table or in front of the tree/plant you're honoring. Lay out the flowers, fruits, leaves, and water in bowls made of natural materials like clay or brass.

  3. Offering the Water:

    • Pour a little water on the tree roots, plant, or into a river/pond if nearby. This is an act of respect and gratitude to the source of life.

  4. Lighting the Lamp and Incense:

    • Light the lamp and incense sticks and offer them in circular motion around the tree or plant. The flame and smoke symbolize purification and the presence of the divine.

  5. Offering Flowers and Fruits:

    • Offer fresh flowers and fruits at the base of the tree or in front of the plant. Avoid using artificial or dyed flowers, as they can harm the environment.

  6. Reciting Mantras and Prayers:

    • Recite simple nature-related mantras like:
      • Om Prithvi Devyai Namah (Salutations to Mother Earth)
      • Om Surya Namah (Salutations to the Sun)
      • Om Jala Devyai Namah (Salutations to the Water)
      • Om Vrikshaaya Namah (Salutations to the Tree)
      • Om Agnaye Namah (Salutations to Fire)
      • Gayatri Mantra (A prayer for enlightenment and ecological balance)

  7. Perform Aarti:

    • Perform the aarti (waving the lighted lamp) in front of the tree or nature altar, making circular motions in a clockwise direction.

Prasad (Offering) to Be Prepared

  • Eco-friendly prasad options:
    • Fruits such as bananas, coconuts, and seasonal offerings.
    • Organic sweets like jaggery, sesame laddus, or rice kheer (a sweet dish made of rice and milk).
    • Always distribute the prasad among family and friends or offer it to animals.

How to Conclude the Puja

  1. Thank Nature:

    • Bow before the tree, plant, or natural element you are worshiping and express gratitude for its existence and sustenance.

  2. Chant Final Prayers:

    • End the puja with concluding mantras such as:
      • Om Shanti Shanti Shanti (May there be peace in the heavens, on earth, and within all beings).

  3. Distribute Prasad:

    • Share the prasad with family, neighbors, and any animals nearby. This act symbolizes sharing the bounty of nature with all living beings.

What to Do with the Puja Leftover Items (Eco-Friendly Disposal)

  1. Flowers and Leaves:

    • Compost the flowers and leaves. You can create a small compost pit in your garden to return these natural items to the earth.

  2. Earthen Lamps and Natural Items:

    • Reuse the diyas for future pujas, or if broken, bury them in the ground as they will naturally decompose.

  3. Water:

    • Use the leftover water for watering plants, thus continuing the cycle of nurturing nature.

  4. Prasad:

    • Distribute all prasad to family, friends, or animals, ensuring nothing goes to waste.

Importance of Nature Worship in Hinduism

  • Connection with Nature: Worshiping nature instills a sense of connection with the environment, reminding us that we are not separate from it but part of the same cosmic system.
  • Ecological Balance: By showing reverence to trees, rivers, animals, and natural elements, we encourage sustainable living practices and ecological balance.
  • Promotes Gratitude: Nature worship cultivates gratitude for the life-sustaining resources we receive from the earth.
  • Spiritual Growth: It fosters a deep sense of spirituality, teaching us to respect and care for the world around us, which in turn enriches our personal spiritual journey.

Benefits of Nature Worship

  1. Mental Peace: Nature worship calms the mind, reduces stress, and promotes mental well-being.
  2. Environmental Awareness: It increases awareness about the importance of protecting natural resources.
  3. Positive Energy: Worshiping nature energizes the environment and creates a positive aura around the worshipper.
  4. Health Benefits: Being in close contact with nature has proven health benefits like reduced anxiety, better mood, and improved concentration.
  5. Family Bonding: Conducting a nature puja with family encourages a collective effort towards appreciating and preserving the environment.


Worshiping nature in Hinduism is a simple yet profound way to express gratitude for the world around us. By using eco-friendly puja items, distributing prasad mindfully, and disposing of puja leftovers in a sustainable way, we not only uphold the sanctity of the rituals but also honor the very essence of nature.

This ancient tradition of nature worship emphasizes the interconnectedness of all life forms, promoting respect, sustainability, and environmental stewardship—a message that is more relevant today than ever.