Navratri is a festival that celebrates the nine forms of Goddess Durga. Each day of Navratri is dedicated to a different avatar of the Goddess. The fifth day of Navratri, known as Panchami, is dedicated to Goddess Skandamata, the mother of Lord Kartikeya (Skanda). Worshiping her is believed to bring wisdom, prosperity, and peace.
Here's a detailed, eco-friendly guide to performing the Fifth Day Navratri Puja:
Cleanliness and Preparation
Home & Mind Cleansing:
- Clean your home thoroughly, especially the area where the puja will take place.
- Ensure that your body and mind are clean before beginning the puja. Take a bath and wear clean, fresh, preferably white or yellow clothes, which are considered auspicious for Goddess Skandamata.
- Mentally prepare yourself by calming your mind, letting go of stress, and focusing on the divine.
Eco-Friendly Decor:
- Decorate the altar with eco-friendly products such as reusable cloth for the altar, natural flowers like marigold or jasmine, and use traditional clay diyas (lamps).
- Avoid plastic items and non-biodegradable decorations.
- Use biodegradable offerings such as flowers and leaves, which can easily decompose.
Time for the Puja
- Best Time: Morning is considered the most auspicious time for Navratri Puja. It is recommended to perform the puja within the Brahma Muhurta (approximately 4:00 AM to 6:00 AM) or after sunrise, as the morning hours are filled with sattvic (pure) energy.
- Evening Aarti: If the morning is not possible, you can perform the puja in the evening and follow it with a simple aarti.
Puja Items Required (Eco-Friendly)
For the worship of Goddess Skandamata, the following eco-friendly items are needed:
- Picture or Idol of Goddess Skandamata: Preferably an earthen or eco-friendly idol or picture.
- Natural Flowers: Jasmine, marigold, lotus, or any fresh flowers (avoid artificial or plastic flowers).
- Fruits: Bananas, mangoes, and other seasonal fruits.
- Panchamrit: A mixture of milk, honey, curd, ghee, and sugar.
- Kumkum (Vermilion), Haldi (Turmeric), Rice Grains: Use natural, chemical-free items.
- Incense Sticks and Diyas: Use cow dung diyas or clay lamps and organic incense sticks.
- Eco-Friendly Kalash: Copper or earthen pot filled with water and adorned with mango leaves.
- Cloth: A clean cloth (preferably cotton) to place on the altar.
- Eco-Friendly Rangoli: Make traditional rangoli designs using rice flour, turmeric, or natural colors.
- Coconut: Use a whole coconut as part of the offering.
- Sweets for Prasad: Prepare homemade, healthy sweets like jaggery laddoo, kheer, or halwa.
Simple Steps of Puja
Dhyana (Meditation):
- Sit in a comfortable posture and meditate on Goddess Skandamata to invoke her divine energy.
- Focus on her form, holding her child Lord Skanda in her lap, radiating wisdom and strength.
Kalash Sthapana (Setting the Sacred Pot):
- Place the Kalash filled with water and mango leaves at the altar. Put a coconut on top of the Kalash and decorate it with flowers.
Invocation (Aavahan):
- Light a diya and incense sticks. Invoke Goddess Skandamata by chanting the mantra:
- “Om Devi Skandamatayai Namah”
- Offer flowers, fruits, and sweets while chanting her name.
- Light a diya and incense sticks. Invoke Goddess Skandamata by chanting the mantra:
Abhishekam (Offering the Sacred Bath):
- Offer Panchamrit (mixture of milk, curd, honey, ghee, and sugar) and then clean water to the idol or picture of the goddess.
Offerings (Naivedyam):
- Offer the prepared Prasad (homemade sweets), fruits, flowers, and kumkum to the goddess.
- Avoid offering any items made of plastic or harmful materials.
Aarti:
- Perform the aarti of Goddess Skandamata using a clay diya. Chant the following Aarti mantra:
- “Jai Ambe Gauri, Maiya Jai Shyama Gauri”
- Perform the aarti of Goddess Skandamata using a clay diya. Chant the following Aarti mantra:
Mantra Chanting:
- Chant the Skandamata Stotra or recite the Durga Chalisa.
- You can also recite this mantra:
- “Sarvamangala Mangalye Shive Sarvartha Sadhike Sharanye Tryambake Gauri Narayani Namostute”
Prasad to Be Prepared
- Eco-Friendly and Simple Prasad Options:
- Jaggery Laddoo: Jaggery is associated with purity and is easy to digest.
- Kheer: Made from rice, milk, and jaggery, this is a traditional sweet dish.
- Fruits: Offer a variety of fruits like bananas, apples, and pomegranates.
- Halwa: Suji (semolina) or wheat halwa made using ghee and jaggery.
Concluding the Puja
- Vandan (Offering Prayers):
- Bow down to the Goddess and offer her your prayers with folded hands. Express your gratitude for the protection and blessings received.
- Visarjan (Conclusion of the Puja):
- After the aarti, sprinkle a little water around the altar as a sign of purity.
- If you have used a Kalash, sprinkle the water around your home for blessings and purification.
What to Do With the Puja Leftover Items?
To maintain eco-friendliness, handle the leftover items with care:
- Flowers and Leaves: Collect the used flowers, leaves, and natural offerings and place them in a compost bin or bury them in a garden. This ensures they decompose naturally and nourish the earth.
- Prasad: Distribute the Prasad among family, neighbors, and friends, or give it to those in need. Avoid wastage.
- Puja Water: Water from the Kalash can be sprinkled around your home for blessings or poured onto plants.
- Cloth and Decorations: Store reusable items like cloth or diyas for future use.
Importance and Benefits of Worshiping on the Fifth Day
- Divine Blessings: Worshiping Goddess Skandamata brings peace, wisdom, and divine protection. She is the motherly form of Goddess Durga, and her blessings can help to remove obstacles, bring success, and provide mental clarity.
- Fulfillment of Desires: It is believed that offering devotion to Skandamata can fulfill worldly desires and grant spiritual growth.
- Prosperity and Wisdom: The blessings of Skandamata bring prosperity and wisdom into the lives of devotees, encouraging the balance of material and spiritual well-being.
Benefits of Using Eco-Friendly Products
- Environment Protection: By using biodegradable materials, we reduce pollution and the harmful effects of synthetic materials on the environment.
- Sustainability: Eco-friendly products promote sustainable living and align with the ancient Vedic practice of worshipping nature.
- Healthier Choices: Using natural products during worship ensures a healthier atmosphere, free from toxic chemicals.
- Preserving Traditions: Opting for traditional, natural materials helps preserve cultural authenticity and supports local artisans.
By following these steps, you can worship Goddess Skandamata with devotion and mindfulness, while also being environmentally conscious. This ensures a spiritual experience that is not only beneficial for your soul but also kind to the planet.