Comprehensive Guide to Worship Skandamata in Hinduism
Skandamata is the fifth form of Goddess Durga, worshipped on the fifth day of Navratri. She is the mother of Lord Skanda (Kartikeya), the commander of the divine army. Skandamata represents the nurturing aspect of motherhood, wisdom, and strength. Worshipping her is believed to bring peace, prosperity, and protection to devotees.
Here’s a comprehensive guide to worshipping Skandamata, emphasizing eco-friendly traditional puja practices:
Preparation for Worship
1. Cleanliness and Purity
- Personal Cleanliness: Before beginning the puja, take a bath and wear clean clothes. Personal hygiene is considered essential to maintaining the sanctity of the puja space.
- Sanctify the Puja Space: Clean the area where the puja will be performed. Sprinkle water mixed with a few drops of Ganga Jal (holy water) to purify the surroundings.
- Eco-friendly Cleaning: Use natural cleaning agents like neem leaves, cow dung, or turmeric to clean the altar and space. Avoid harsh chemicals.
2. Time of Puja
- Morning and Evening: The most auspicious time for Skandamata worship is during the early morning or evening. Conducting the puja during Brahma Muhurta (pre-dawn) is considered highly beneficial.
- Best Day: Although Skandamata is worshipped on the fifth day of Navratri, you can offer prayers to her on any auspicious day or on Fridays, which are often dedicated to the Divine Mother.
3. Clothing
- Color of Clothing: It is customary to wear yellow or light green while worshipping Skandamata. These colors symbolize prosperity, peace, and wisdom, which are associated with the Goddess.
- Eco-friendly Fabric: Choose natural, organic fabrics like cotton or linen, which are biodegradable and environmentally friendly.
Puja Items Required (Eco-friendly)
- Picture or Idol of Skandamata: Preferably made of clay or eco-friendly materials, ensuring that it can be naturally dissolved or reused.
- Kalash (Sacred Pot): Use a copper or clay pot filled with clean water, mango leaves, and a coconut on top. Decorate it with natural flowers and turmeric paste.
- Puja Thali (Plate):
- Diya (Lamp): Use a brass or clay lamp with ghee (clarified butter) or sesame oil for lighting.
- Incense Sticks: Choose natural, handmade incense made from flowers and herbs without harmful chemicals.
- Fruits: Offer fresh seasonal fruits like bananas, apples, or pomegranates.
- Flowers: Use marigold, lotus, or jasmine flowers. Avoid synthetic decorations or plastic flowers.
- Turmeric, Kumkum (Vermilion), and Sandalwood Paste: These are natural offerings for tilak (forehead mark).
- Coconut, Betel Leaves, and Areca Nuts: Organic options should be used, and plastic should be avoided.
- Organic Rice: For offering, uncooked rice can be colored with turmeric for eco-friendly rangoli designs.
- Camphor: Use natural camphor for the aarti (prayer with light).
Simple Steps of Puja
Ganesha Invocation: Begin by invoking Lord Ganesha to remove obstacles. Offer a small amount of turmeric and flowers to his idol or image.
Kalash Setup: Place the Kalash at the center of your altar, symbolizing the universe and abundance. Sprinkle water mixed with turmeric to purify it.
Invoking Skandamata: Sit in a calm place and focus on the image or idol of Skandamata. Visualize her as the loving mother of Lord Skanda, seated on a lotus flower, holding him in her lap.
Mantra Chanting: Recite this mantra while offering flowers, turmeric, and kumkum:
“Om Devi Skandamatayai Namah”
You can also chant her 108 names for a deeper connection. Focus on your devotion, and chant the mantra with full faith and love.
Offerings:
- Flowers: Offer fresh flowers, especially yellow ones like marigold, as they are associated with Skandamata.
- Naivedyam (Food Offering): Offer simple food items like cooked rice, fruits, and sweets like Malpua or Kheer (prepared with jaggery instead of sugar to keep it eco-friendly).
Aarti: Light the diya, camphor, and incense, and perform aarti by waving them in a circular motion before the deity. Sing the traditional Skandamata aarti or bhajans (devotional songs) to conclude.
Prasad to be Prepared
- Kheer (Rice Pudding): A simple sweet dish made from rice, milk, and jaggery.
- Malpua: A traditional sweet pancake prepared with flour, milk, and jaggery, fried in ghee.
- Fruits: Fresh seasonal fruits, especially bananas and pomegranates.
Offer the prasad after the completion of the puja, sharing it with family members and the needy, emphasizing sharing as an act of devotion.
Mantras and Prayers
Recite this prayer to invoke the blessings of Skandamata:
“Ya Devi Sarva Bhuteshu Skanda Mata Rupena Samsthita,
Namastasyei Namastasyei Namastasyei Namo Namah”
(Translation: "Salutations to the Goddess who resides in all beings as Skandamata, I bow to her again and again.")
This mantra is a call for protection, wisdom, and peace, invoking her motherly grace.
Concluding the Puja
- Thanksgiving: Offer your gratitude to Skandamata for her blessings. Express your devotion through simple prayers from the heart.
- Water Sprinkling: Sprinkle water around the altar to purify the space and signal the conclusion of the puja.
- Distribution of Prasad: Offer the prepared prasad to the Goddess first, then distribute it among family members, friends, and others.
- Donations: It is auspicious to give to charity, especially food or essential items, as part of concluding the worship.
Importance and Benefits of Skandamata Worship
- Protection: Skandamata offers protection to her devotees and their families from negative forces.
- Peace and Prosperity: By worshipping her, one attains peace, wisdom, and material well-being.
- Nurturing Love: As the mother of Lord Skanda, she symbolizes maternal love, and her devotees experience a sense of spiritual nurturing.
- Spiritual Growth: Devotion to Skandamata helps in overcoming obstacles and gaining clarity on one’s spiritual path.
What to Do with Puja Leftover Items (Eco-friendly Practices)
- Flowers: Collect the used flowers and place them at the base of a tree or in a compost bin to decompose naturally. Avoid throwing them in plastic or garbage.
- Coconut and Fruits: These can either be consumed as prasad or placed under a tree as an offering to nature.
- Puja Water (from Kalash): Pour the water at the roots of a plant or in a garden.
- Cloth and Decorations: Reuse natural decorations like fabric and flowers or store them for future use.
By following these practices, you ensure that your worship remains in harmony with nature, emphasizing eco-friendly devotion in the purest form.
By worshipping Skandamata with dedication, eco-consciousness, and a pure heart, you invite the divine energy of nurturing love and wisdom into your life.