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How To Worship Women in Hinduism?

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How To Worship Women in Hinduism: A Comprehensive Guide

Worshipping women is an ancient and sacred practice in Hinduism, symbolizing respect for the feminine aspect of divinity. The tradition is rooted in the belief that women represent the Goddess (Shakti), the source of creation, energy, and nurturing power. One of the most widely known forms of this practice is the Kanya Puja or Stri Puja (worship of women), where women, especially young girls, are revered as living embodiments of the Goddess.

This guide provides a comprehensive step-by-step approach to this sacred ritual, using eco-friendly products and emphasizing the significance of cleanliness, proper clothing, and offerings.

1. Preparation: Cleanliness and Time

Cleanliness is essential in any Hindu ritual. Before starting the puja, ensure that the environment is clean, and all participants, including the worshippers, are bathed and wearing fresh clothes.

  • Time: Ideally, the puja should be performed in the morning, as this is considered an auspicious time. Early morning hours after sunrise (around 6 AM – 9 AM) are considered ideal.

2. Attire: Traditional and Color Choices

  • Worshippers: It is preferable to wear simple, clean, and modest traditional attire. Light-colored clothes like white, yellow, pink, or green symbolize purity, peace, and devotion. Avoid wearing black, as it is considered inauspicious in Hindu rituals.

  • The Woman or Girls Being Worshipped: If you are inviting women or young girls (usually between 2-10 years old), request them to wear traditional attire like a saree or salwar kameez. Again, white, yellow, pink, and red are recommended colors symbolizing divinity and blessings.

3. Eco-Friendly Puja Items Required

  • Diya (Lamp): Made of clay, with pure cow ghee or sesame oil for lighting.
  • Flowers: Use fresh, locally grown flowers such as marigold, lotus, jasmine, or hibiscus.
  • Fruits: Offer seasonal, fresh, and organic fruits.
  • Turmeric and Kumkum: Natural and eco-friendly powders for tilak and offerings.
  • Water in Copper Kalash: Used for purification and sprinkling.
  • Incense Sticks (Agarbatti): Use natural, organic incense made from herbs and flowers.
  • Rice (Akshata): Unbroken rice grains mixed with turmeric for blessings.
  • Sandalwood Paste: Prepared from natural sandalwood for applying tilak.
  • Betel Leaves and Areca Nut: Common in Hindu rituals for offering.
  • Coconut: A symbol of purity and auspiciousness.

All materials should be sourced locally and sustainably, avoiding plastic, chemical-laden, or non-biodegradable products.

4. Simple Steps of the Puja

  1. Invocation (Dhyanam): Begin by mentally invoking the divine feminine energy (Shakti) in the form of Goddess Durga, Lakshmi, or Saraswati. Visualize the woman or girl being worshipped as the living embodiment of this energy.

  2. Lighting the Diya: Light the clay lamp filled with ghee or oil, symbolizing the dispelling of darkness and negativity.

  3. Sprinkling Water (Achamanam): Sprinkle water around the puja area and on yourself to purify the surroundings and begin the ritual with a clean heart and mind.

  4. Tilak and Akshata: Apply sandalwood paste and kumkum on the woman or girls' forehead, followed by placing akshata (turmeric rice) on the head or hands as a symbol of prosperity and blessings.

  5. Offering Flowers and Fruits: Offer fresh flowers and fruits to the woman or girl, symbolizing your respect, love, and recognition of the divine feminine within them.

  6. Chanting Mantras: While offering flowers and performing aarti, chant mantras like:

    • Durga Mantra: "Om Dum Durgayei Namaha"
    • Lakshmi Mantra: "Om Shreem Mahalakshmiyei Namaha"
    • Saraswati Mantra: "Om Aim Saraswatiyei Namaha"

    These mantras invoke the blessings of the respective Goddesses. You can also recite the Devi Stotram or Ya Devi Sarva Bhuteshu to honor the feminine divine.

  7. Performing Aarti: Circle the diya in front of the woman or girl in a clockwise direction while singing a simple aarti (devotional song) to the Goddess.

5. Prasad Preparation

  • Simple Eco-Friendly Prasad Options:
    • Kheer (Rice Pudding): Made with rice, milk, sugar, cardamom, and dry fruits.
    • Halwa: Prepared with semolina (suji), ghee, sugar, and water.
    • Coconut Laddoo: Made with fresh grated coconut and jaggery, a healthier alternative to refined sugar sweets.
    • Fruits: Offer fresh and seasonal fruits like bananas, apples, and guavas.

All prasad should be made fresh, using organic ingredients, and should be vegetarian.

6. Concluding the Puja

  1. Touching the Feet: After the puja, seek blessings from the woman or girl by touching her feet, acknowledging her as a representation of the divine feminine.

  2. Distributing Prasad: Offer the prasad to the woman/girls first and then to others present. This signifies that the blessings have been received and shared.

  3. Thanksgiving Prayer: Conclude with a short prayer of gratitude to the Goddess, thanking her for her blessings and presence in the form of the women.

7. Disposal of Leftover Puja Items (Eco-friendly)

  • Flowers: Collect the flowers and leaves after the puja and compost them to avoid pollution in water bodies.
  • Ashes from Incense: Ashes can be sprinkled in your garden or near a tree to nourish the soil.
  • Diya: Clay diyas can be reused for future pujas or disposed of in the earth as they are biodegradable.
  • Prasad Leftovers: Share the prasad with family, friends, and the needy. Avoid wasting any food.

8. Importance of Worshipping Women in Hinduism

Worshipping women as an embodiment of the divine Goddess reinforces respect, honor, and recognition of feminine power in society. It teaches devotees to see the divinity in every woman and promotes gender equality, compassion, and love. This practice is deeply rooted in the Vedic scriptures, where women are considered the source of all creation and are revered as mothers, daughters, and goddesses.

9. Benefits of Worshipping Women

  • Spiritual Growth: The act helps deepen the connection with divine feminine energy, fostering spiritual growth and mindfulness.
  • Karmic Blessings: According to Hindu belief, worshipping women brings immense karmic blessings, wealth, prosperity, and protection from negative energies.
  • Inner Harmony: By recognizing the sacredness in women, one cultivates inner harmony, respect for others, and promotes a more balanced society.
  • Blessings for Success: Especially during Kanya Puja or Navratri, it is believed that worshipping women brings blessings for success, longevity, and good fortune.


The worship of women in Hinduism is an ancient practice, deeply rooted in the concept of honoring the feminine energy (Shakti) that pervades the universe. By following the traditional rituals in an eco-friendly manner, you not only pay respect to the Goddess but also contribute to preserving nature and fostering a sustainable environment.