Worshiping Goddess Rankini is an age-old tradition followed primarily by the tribal communities in Jharkhand and parts of Odisha, India. Known as a fierce form of Goddess Durga or Kali, Rankini Devi is worshipped for protection, strength, and the removal of obstacles. Below is a comprehensive guide on how to conduct a simple yet meaningful puja for Goddess Rankini, keeping eco-friendliness and traditional practices in mind.
Benefits of Worshiping Goddess Rankini
- Protection from negative energies and evil forces.
- Strength and Courage to face life's challenges.
- Removal of Obstacles in personal, professional, and spiritual journeys.
- Success and Prosperity in all endeavors, as the Goddess blesses her devotees with abundance.
- Mental Peace and Inner Strength for those who regularly engage in her worship.
Preparing for the Worship
Cleanliness and Dress Code
- Personal Cleanliness: Bathe before the puja to ensure purity. Wear clean, preferably fresh clothes.
- Clothing Color: Goddess Rankini is a fierce form, so colors like red, yellow, and white are ideal. Avoid black as it is typically associated with negative energies in Hindu rituals.
Best Time for Worship
- Morning or Evening: Early morning or evening during sandhya (sunrise or sunset) is the best time to worship, as these times are considered sacred.
- Specific Days: Tuesdays and Saturdays are especially auspicious for worshipping fierce forms of the Goddess.
Puja Items Required (Eco-Friendly)
Use traditional items and avoid plastic or synthetic materials. You can also use natural materials that are biodegradable.
- Flowers: Red hibiscus, marigold, lotus (use fresh, unprocessed flowers)
- Incense and Dhoop: Made from natural herbs and resins (avoid synthetic incense)
- Lamp (Diya): Use an earthen lamp with ghee or sesame oil
- Kumkum (Vermillion): Prefer natural, turmeric-based kumkum
- Turmeric Powder and Sandalwood Paste: Both are used for marking a sacred tilak and offering to the deity
- Betel Leaves and Nuts: Considered sacred and eco-friendly
- Rice Grains (Akshata): Washed and colored using turmeric for an auspicious effect
- Fruits and Sweets: Fresh, seasonal fruits like bananas, coconuts, and simple homemade sweets such as ladoo or kheer
- Kalash (Water Vessel): Filled with clean water and a few mango or neem leaves, symbolizing purity and abundance
Simple Steps for Conducting the Puja
1. Preparing the Puja Area
- Clean the area where you will be conducting the puja.
- Place a clean cloth or mat as an altar and arrange the idols or pictures of Goddess Rankini on it.
- Arrange the puja items neatly around the altar.
2. Lighting the Lamp and Incense
- Light the earthen lamp using ghee or sesame oil and place it in front of the idol.
- Light incense sticks or dhoop made from natural ingredients to create a fragrant and purified environment.
3. Offering Flowers and Tilak
- Offer fresh flowers (especially hibiscus) to the deity with each name or mantra.
- Apply kumkum and sandalwood paste to the image or idol of Goddess Rankini.
4. Reciting Mantras and Prayers
- Primary Mantra: “Om Rankini Devi Namah”
- Additional Mantra for Blessings:
- Repeat the mantra 108 times or as per your devotion using a mala (prayer beads) if possible.
- Meditate on the image of the Goddess, visualizing her blessings and energy flowing into you.
5. Offering Fruits, Sweets, and Prasad
- Offer seasonal fruits and homemade sweets, such as ladoo or kheer, with a pure heart.
- Traditional prasad, such as rice, fruits, and sweets, should be eco-friendly and ideally homemade.
6. Concluding the Puja
- Thank the Goddess for her presence and blessings.
- Offer the Kalash water back to the earth or a plant as a respectful way to return the elements.
- Bow and conclude with a final prayer or chant.
Importance of Worshiping Goddess Rankini
- Spiritual Empowerment: Worship of Goddess Rankini is believed to empower the soul, helping devotees overcome fears and personal obstacles.
- Protection and Prosperity: As a form of Shakti (divine energy), she offers protection and enhances prosperity in the household.
- Connection to Tradition: It honors and keeps alive ancient practices and reverence for natural elements, essential to eco-friendly worship.
Eco-Friendly Disposal of Puja Items
- Flowers and Organic Offerings: Can be composted or returned to nature by placing them under a tree.
- Water from Kalash: Pour gently around plants, ensuring that the sacred water goes back to nature.
- Ash and Residual Dhoop: Ashes from incense or dhoop can be sprinkled around plants as they’re considered purifying.
- Prasad Distribution: Share the prasad with family, friends, or neighbors, ensuring that nothing goes to waste.
By following these steps, you can conduct a simple and meaningful worship of Goddess Rankini that respects both tradition and the environment.