How to Worship Skanda (Lord Murugan) in Hinduism: A Comprehensive Guide
Lord Skanda, also known as Murugan, Kartikeya, Subramanya, or Shanmukha, is revered as the warrior god and the son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. His worship is especially popular in South India, and devotees seek his blessings for strength, wisdom, and protection. Below is a detailed guide on how to perform a simple yet traditional and eco-friendly Skanda Puja.
1. Cleanliness and Preparation for Puja
Cleanliness is crucial before starting any worship. Follow these steps:
- Personal Cleanliness: Take a bath before the puja. Wear clean, fresh clothes.
- Space Cleanliness: Clean the puja area or altar. Ensure the environment is neat and tidy.
- Eco-Friendly Setup: Use natural cleaning agents like turmeric water or cow dung to purify the surroundings. Use only earthen or brass lamps, and organic incense sticks.
2. Time to Perform Skanda Puja
The ideal time to perform Skanda Puja is early in the morning during Brahma Muhurta (around 4:00 AM to 6:00 AM) or in the evening during Sandhya (sunset). Tuesdays and Fridays are considered especially auspicious for Lord Murugan’s worship. Skanda Shasti, celebrated during the waxing phase of the moon in the Tamil month of Aippasi (October-November), is one of the most significant occasions for his worship.
3. Dress Code for Skanda Worship
- Preferred Colors: Traditionally, yellow and red are associated with Lord Murugan. These colors symbolize strength, vitality, and spiritual growth. Wear clean, simple clothing in these colors while performing the puja.
- Eco-Friendly Fabrics: Choose natural fabrics like cotton or silk, which are eco-friendly and traditional.
4. Eco-Friendly Puja Items Required
For an environmentally conscious and traditional Skanda Puja, opt for biodegradable or organic materials. Here’s a list:
- Idol or Image of Lord Skanda: Made from clay, brass, or natural stone.
- Flowers: Red or yellow flowers, such as hibiscus, jasmine, marigold, or roses.
- Fruits: Bananas, coconuts, pomegranates, and seasonal fruits.
- Puja Lamp (Deepam): An earthen or brass lamp with ghee or sesame oil.
- Incense Sticks: Organic, made of natural ingredients like sandalwood, vetiver, or camphor.
- Panchamritam: A mixture of ghee, honey, curd, milk, and jaggery.
- Turmeric and Kumkum: Use organic turmeric and kumkum (vermillion).
- Betel Leaves and Areca Nuts: To offer during the puja.
- Akshata: Unbroken rice grains smeared with turmeric and ghee.
- Water and Gangajal: In a copper or brass vessel for purification and offering.
- Camphor: For the final Aarti.
5. Simple Steps for Performing Skanda Puja
Purification: Start by sprinkling water around the puja space and yourself, symbolizing purity.
Lighting the Lamp: Light the ghee lamp, symbolizing the presence of the divine.
Invocation (Dhyana): Close your eyes, focus on Lord Skanda, and recite the mantra:
Om Sharavana Bhava Om
Offering Flowers (Pushpam): Offer flowers at the feet of the deity while chanting his 108 or 1008 names or the mantra Om Subramanyaya Namah.
Abhishekam (Sacred Bath): If you have a small idol, perform Abhishekam with water, milk, honey, and Panchamritam, followed by wiping the idol with a clean cloth.
Offering Fruits and Sweets: Place fruits and homemade prasad like Panchamritam or sweet Pongal before the deity.
Prayers and Mantras: Recite Skanda’s mantras or stotras, such as:
- Skanda Shasti Kavacham
- Subramanya Ashtottara Shatanamavali (108 names of Lord Murugan)
- Kartikeya Gayatri Mantra:
Om Tatpurushaya Vidmahe, Mahasenaya Dhimahi, Tanno Skanda Prachodayat.
Aarti (Light Offering): Perform the Aarti by rotating a lit camphor in front of the deity, accompanied by bell ringing.
Circumambulation: Walk around the deity three times while chanting his name.
6. Prasad to be Prepared
Prasadam, or food offerings to Lord Murugan, should be prepared with purity and devotion. Here are a few common prasads:
- Panchamritam: A mix of ripe bananas, jaggery, ghee, honey, and cardamom.
- Sweet Pongal: Made with rice, moong dal, jaggery, and ghee.
- Coconut and Banana: Fresh fruits are a simple and preferred offering.
Use natural, organic ingredients in your cooking, and avoid processed or artificial foods.
7. Concluding the Puja
- Final Prayers: After the Aarti, offer your heartfelt prayers to Lord Skanda, asking for his blessings.
- Offer Prasad: Distribute the Prasadam to family members and devotees after the puja.
- Dhyaan (Meditation): End with a few moments of meditation in silence, contemplating Lord Murugan's form and virtues.
8. What to Do with Leftover Puja Items
To maintain eco-friendliness, ensure that no item from the puja is wasted:
- Flowers: Collect the used flowers and immerse them in a garden or compost them to avoid pollution.
- Camphor and Incense Ash: Scatter the ashes in a garden or at the roots of a tree.
- Puja Water: Offer any leftover water from the Abhishekam to plants.
- Coconut: Share the offered coconut with family members as prasadam.
- Other Food Items: Distribute leftover fruits or prasadam to neighbors, friends, or those in need.
Avoid discarding any items in water bodies, as this can harm the environment.
9. Importance and Benefits of Skanda Worship
Worshiping Lord Skanda is believed to offer the following benefits:
- Overcoming Obstacles: He helps his devotees overcome challenges in life.
- Protection: As a warrior deity, Skanda provides protection from negative influences.
- Wisdom and Knowledge: He grants intelligence, wisdom, and success, especially to students.
- Strength and Courage: Skanda blesses devotees with physical and mental strength.
- Spiritual Growth: Regular worship fosters spiritual growth and inner peace.
By performing this simple, eco-friendly Skanda Puja with devotion and reverence, devotees can invoke Lord Murugan’s blessings for strength, wisdom, and protection in their lives.