Comprehensive Guide to Worshiping Goddess Kankar Mata in Hinduism
Goddess Kankar Mata is revered as a protector deity in Hinduism, often worshipped to bring peace, courage, prosperity, and protection from harm. Here is an in-depth guide to worshiping her, covering the benefits, preparation, necessary items, and steps for conducting a simple yet meaningful puja.
1. Importance of Worshiping Kankar Mata
Kankar Mata is believed to protect her devotees from illness, negative energies, and misfortune. Worshiping her is said to grant:
- Physical and Mental Strength: She blesses her devotees with resilience.
- Protection from Evil: Goddess Kankar Mata guards against negative forces and evil energies.
- Prosperity and Success: Devotees seek her blessings for success in personal and professional life.
2. Cleanliness and Preparation
- Bath and Clean Attire: Begin with a bath and wear clean clothes to symbolize purity.
- Clean Worship Area: Clean the puja area thoroughly. Use natural water with a few drops of Ganga Jal (holy water) to sanctify the area.
- Eco-Friendly Items: Use only natural items, such as clay diyas, cotton wicks, and organic incense sticks. Avoid plastic or synthetic products.
3. Appropriate Time for Worship
- Best Days: Tuesdays, Saturdays, and Navratri are considered auspicious for worshiping Goddess Kankar Mata.
- Timing: Early morning or evening hours are ideal, as these times are spiritually significant for connecting with divine energies.
4. Recommended Clothing
- Color: Red, yellow, or saffron are ideal colors as they represent strength and divinity.
- Material: Choose eco-friendly, natural materials such as cotton.
5. Puja Items Required (Eco-Friendly)
- Kumkum (vermilion)
- Haldi (turmeric powder)
- Rice grains
- Fresh Flowers (marigold, rose, and hibiscus are ideal for Goddess Kankar Mata)
- Incense Sticks or Dhoop made from natural ingredients
- Diya (lamp) made of clay and ghee (clarified butter)
- Water in a Copper Vessel (for sprinkling)
- Fruits and Sweets for offering
- Coconut and Betel Leaves
Using eco-friendly items ensures respect for the environment, aligning with the values of Hindu worship.
6. Simple Steps for Conducting Kankar Mata Puja
- Purify Yourself and the Puja Area: Sprinkle water mixed with Ganga Jal around the area to purify it.
- Invoke Goddess Kankar Mata: Light the diya, set the incense, and call upon Kankar Mata, inviting her presence.
- Offerings: Begin by offering kumkum, turmeric, rice, and fresh flowers to the deity.
- Chant Mantras: Recite mantras and prayers dedicated to Kankar Mata. Here’s a simple mantra you can chant:
- "Om Kankar Mataye Namah" - Chant this mantra 11 or 21 times.
- Offer Prasad: Offer fruits, coconut, sweets, and betel leaves.
- Conclude with Aarti: Perform a simple aarti, moving the diya in a circular motion before the idol or picture of Kankar Mata.
7. Prasad Preparation
Traditional sweets like laddus or kheer can be prepared as prasad. Make them using natural ingredients like jaggery, rice, milk, and ghee. This is later shared among devotees as a symbol of Mata’s blessings.
8. Mantras and Prayers
- Invocation Mantra:
- "Om Shree Kankar Mata Devey Namah"
- Protection Mantra:
- "Om Durge Mata Rakshamam, Om Shree Kankar Mata Rakshamam"
Chant these mantras with devotion to invoke the goddess's blessings and protection.
9. How to Conclude the Puja
- Thanking the Deity: Offer your gratitude to Kankar Mata, expressing thanks for her blessings.
- Sprinkling Water: Sprinkle a few drops of water around the area, symbolizing the conclusion of the ritual.
- Pranam: Bow down to seek her blessings.
10. What to Do with Leftover Puja Items
- Flowers and Organic Offerings: Place them at the base of a tree or in a compost bin.
- Diya Remnants: If leftover ghee remains in the diya, it can be added to compost, and the clay diya can be reused or left outdoors to biodegrade naturally.
- Ash from Incense: You can scatter this in a garden or near plants, as it is considered sacred.
Worshiping Kankar Mata with simplicity, sincerity, and environmental mindfulness allows devotees to connect with her divine energy and seek her protection. This guide aims to help devotees perform her puja in a way that is respectful both to tradition and to nature.