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How to Worship Maa Skanda Mata in Hinduism: A Comprehensive Guide

Maa Skanda Mata is the fifth form of the Navadurga (nine forms of the Goddess Durga), worshipped on the fifth day of Navratri. She is the mother of Lord Kartikeya (also known as Skanda), and her blessings help in attaining wisdom, prosperity, and success. Here is a comprehensive guide to worshipping Maa Skanda Mata with a focus on simplicity, cleanliness, and eco-friendliness.


1. Cleanliness and Preparation

Cleanliness is essential when worshipping any deity in Hinduism.

  • Home and Puja Space: Start by cleaning the entire house, especially the space where the puja will be conducted. Use natural cleaning agents such as cow dung (gobar) or neem water, which are eco-friendly.
  • Personal Cleanliness: Bathe before performing the puja. Ensure you're wearing clean clothes.

2. Timings of the Puja

  • The best time to worship Maa Skanda Mata is during the early morning hours (Brahma Muhurta) between 4:00 AM to 6:00 AM.
  • If morning time isn’t possible, you can also perform the puja in the evening after sunset.

3. Colors of Clothes to Wear

Each day of Navratri is associated with a specific color, and on the fifth day, the recommended color for devotees is yellow. Yellow signifies joy and happiness, symbolizing optimism and warmth.

Wear clothes made from natural fibers like cotton or silk, avoiding synthetic materials to maintain an eco-friendly practice.

4. Eco-Friendly Puja Items Required

For an eco-friendly and traditional worship of Maa Skanda Mata, gather the following items:

  • Picture/Idol of Maa Skanda Mata: Preferably made of clay or natural materials.
  • Kalash (Holy Pot): Made of clay, copper, or brass.
  • Fresh flowers and garlands: Use organic flowers such as marigold, lotus, jasmine, and hibiscus. Avoid plastic or synthetic flowers.
  • Fruits: Offer seasonal fruits like bananas, apples, and pomegranates.
  • Coconut: An eco-friendly and traditional offering.
  • Betel leaves, betel nuts, and mango leaves: Fresh and organic.
  • Incense sticks (Agarbatti) and camphor: Opt for organic incense made from natural herbs and flowers.
  • Dhoop: Use eco-friendly dhoop made from cow dung or other organic materials.
  • Panchamrit: A mixture of milk, curd, honey, ghee, and sugar.
  • Pure Ghee (Clarified Butter) for Diya: Light diyas (lamps) using cow ghee, which is traditional and eco-friendly.
  • Haldi (Turmeric), Kumkum (Red Powder), and Sandalwood Paste: Natural and organic options.
  • Eco-friendly flowers for decoration: Use banana leaves, marigold strings, and natural fibers for decoration.

5. Simple Steps of Puja

Here is a simple step-by-step guide to performing the puja:

  1. Preparation: Clean the puja space, wear fresh yellow clothes, and set up a small altar with the idol or image of Maa Skanda Mata.

  2. Kalash Sthapana (Setting up the Holy Pot):

    • Fill the kalash with water, place mango leaves on top, and place a coconut on the opening.
    • Place it near the idol or picture of Maa Skanda Mata, symbolizing the presence of divine energy.
  3. Invoke Maa Skanda Mata: Begin with an invocation or dhyan (meditation) to Maa Skanda Mata, seeking her blessings. Sit quietly for a few minutes and offer heartfelt prayers.

  4. Lighting the Lamp: Light an eco-friendly ghee lamp and incense. Make sure to keep the area ventilated to allow the smoke to disperse naturally.

  5. Offering Flowers and Fruits: Offer organic flowers, fruits, and coconut to the deity. These offerings symbolize purity and devotion.

  6. Chanting Mantras: Chant the following mantra while offering flowers and fruits:

    Skanda Mata Mantra:

    सिंहासनगता नित्यं पद्माश्रितकरद्वया। शुभदास्तु सदा देवी स्कन्दमाता यशस्विनी॥

    Meaning: "I bow to the glorious Goddess Skanda Mata, who is seated on a lion and holds two lotus flowers in her hands. She brings auspiciousness and success to her devotees."

  7. Offering Panchamrit: Offer the mixture of milk, curd, honey, ghee, and sugar (Panchamrit) to the deity.

  8. Recite the Durga Chalisa or Skanda Mata Stotra: It is auspicious to recite either the Durga Chalisa or specific stotras dedicated to Maa Skanda Mata during the puja.

  9. Aarti: Perform the Aarti with a ghee lamp while chanting the aarti mantras. This concludes the main worship ritual.

6. Prasad to Prepare

Prepare eco-friendly and traditional prasad for the offering:

  • Panchamrit
  • Halwa (Sweet dish): Made with whole wheat flour, jaggery, and ghee.
  • Chana (Chickpeas) with jaggery
  • Coconut and dry fruits

Offer these items to Maa Skanda Mata, and later distribute them among family members and devotees.

7. Concluding the Puja

After the puja is complete:

  • Pray for blessings: Sit for a moment in quiet meditation, thanking Maa Skanda Mata for her blessings.
  • Distribute the Prasad: Share the prasad with everyone present.
  • Immersion of Offerings: Eco-friendly disposal of the puja items is essential. The flowers, leaves, and other organic items should be composted, while the water in the kalash can be used to water plants.

8. Importance and Benefits of Worshipping Maa Skanda Mata

Worshipping Maa Skanda Mata brings several spiritual and material benefits:

  • Wisdom and Knowledge: Maa Skanda Mata grants wisdom and mental clarity.
  • Success and Prosperity: She blesses her devotees with success in endeavors and prosperity.
  • Protection from Negativity: Her blessings protect one from negative forces, both seen and unseen.
  • Spiritual Growth: She helps devotees attain higher levels of spiritual understanding and devotion.

9. Eco-friendly Disposal of Puja Leftover Items

It is important to honor nature in the aftermath of the puja by disposing of all offerings in an eco-friendly manner:

  • Flowers and Organic Materials: Compost flowers, fruits, and other organic offerings. You can bury them in a garden or use a compost bin.
  • Water from Kalash: Pour the water from the kalash into plants or use it to wash sacred objects.
  • Cloth and Decorations: If you used fabric or natural materials for decoration, they can be reused for future pujas or repurposed around the house.

By following these steps, the worship of Maa Skanda Mata is conducted with devotion, simplicity, and respect for nature.