Worship of Goddess Ugra Tara in Hinduism: A Comprehensive Guide
Goddess Ugra Tara, a fierce aspect of the Divine Mother, represents protection, courage, and deep wisdom. She is often associated with liberation from fears, the dispelling of ignorance, and protection from negative influences. Ugra Tara is particularly worshiped in Tantra for her powerful transformative energy. Here's a comprehensive guide to worshipping Ugra Tara, including the best times, benefits, attire, required items, eco-friendly suggestions, and more.
Importance and Benefits of Worshipping Ugra Tara
Worshipping Goddess Ugra Tara brings powerful spiritual and worldly benefits:
- Spiritual Liberation: Ugra Tara is associated with wisdom and the removal of ignorance, guiding devotees on a path to enlightenment.
- Protection from Negativity: Her fierce form is known to protect devotees from negative energies, evil forces, and psychic harm.
- Courage and Confidence: Her blessings instill courage and self-confidence, especially in the face of life’s challenges.
- Fulfillment of Desires: Devotees believe she can fulfill deep desires, offering abundance and prosperity.
- Healing of Emotional Wounds: She has transformative energies that help in healing past traumas and emotional blockages.
Cleanliness and Preparation
- Physical Cleanliness: Bathe and wear fresh clothes before beginning the puja. This purifies the body and mind.
- Puja Space Cleanliness: Ensure the puja area is clean and free from clutter. Sprinkle a few drops of holy water (Ganga Jal) around to purify the space.
- Mental Cleanliness: Meditate for a few minutes to calm the mind and focus intentions towards Goddess Tara.
Best Time for Worship
The ideal times for worshipping Ugra Tara are:
- Brahma Muhurta (pre-dawn) between 4-6 AM for spiritual seekers, as this time enhances meditative states.
- Evening Dusk: Another auspicious time for those who cannot perform puja in the morning.
- Special Days: Tuesdays and Fridays are considered particularly beneficial, as well as Navaratri and Tara Jayanti.
Attire and Colors
For worshipping Ugra Tara:
- Clothing Color: Dark blue, black, or red clothes are considered auspicious, as they resonate with her fierce and protective energies.
- Fabric Type: Prefer natural fabrics like cotton or silk, aligning with eco-friendly practices and comfort.
Puja Items (Eco-Friendly)
To honor Goddess Ugra Tara, it’s ideal to use traditional and eco-friendly products:
- Clay or Brass Lamp for lighting diyas
- Natural Incense Sticks (like sandalwood or camphor)
- Earthenware Pots filled with water
- Beetle Leaves and Betel Nuts as traditional offerings
- Flowers: Blue lotus, hibiscus, marigold, or any dark blue or red flowers are preferred
- Rice Grains colored with turmeric (akshata)
- Kumkum, Turmeric, and Sandalwood Paste
- Jaggery and Fruits like bananas, pomegranate, and seasonal fruits
- Eco-friendly Prasad Plates made of banana leaves or clay plates
- Coconut wrapped in red cloth
- Rudraksha or Black Beads Mala if available for offering
Simple Steps for Ugra Tara Puja
Setup the Altar: Place a clean image or statue of Goddess Ugra Tara. Arrange the eco-friendly items and flowers on the altar.
Lighting the Lamp: Light the clay or brass lamp with ghee or sesame oil to begin the puja, symbolizing the dispelling of darkness.
Invocation (Dhyanam): Close your eyes, meditate, and invoke Ugra Tara with a few moments of silence or by chanting “Om Ugra Taraaye Namah.”
Offerings (Upacharas):
- Flowers and Akshata: Offer flowers and colored rice grains, each with intention and love.
- Incense and Lamp: Light natural incense and wave the lamp in a circular motion before the goddess.
- Food Offerings: Place fruits, jaggery, and prasad items (such as sweetened rice or coconut) before her as offerings.
Main Mantra Chanting: Chant her mantra 108 times with a rudraksha mala. The main mantra for Ugra Tara is:
“Om Tare Tuttare Ture Swaha.”
Reading or Recitation: Recite Tara Ashtakam or Tara Kavach for additional protection and blessings.
Personal Prayer: Offer a heartfelt prayer, expressing gratitude and devotion.
Prasad Preparation (Eco-Friendly)
For prasad, prepare simple, natural offerings such as:
- Sweetened Rice (Kheer): Made with milk, rice, and jaggery.
- Coconut-based Sweets: Such as coconut ladoos.
- Seasonal Fruits: Like pomegranate, apple, banana, which are easy to distribute and eco-friendly.
Concluding the Puja
- Aarti: Perform aarti with the lamp, moving it clockwise around the idol while singing praises or chanting.
- Thanksgiving: Bow and express gratitude to Goddess Ugra Tara for accepting your worship and blessings.
- Silent Meditation: Sit for a few moments in silence to absorb the energy.
What to Do with Leftover Items (Eco-Friendly Disposal)
- Flowers and Organic Offerings: Bury them in a garden or compost pile, as these will naturally degrade and return to the earth.
- Water Offerings: Pour water offerings in a sacred plant or garden to nourish it.
- Ashes (from incense, diya): Can be dispersed near plants or in natural water bodies if permissible.
- Clay or Eco-Friendly Plates: Reuse if possible, or discard in a compostable manner.
Additional Mantras and Prayers
Here are some mantras that can enhance the puja’s potency:
- Mula Mantra: “Om Tare Tuttare Ture Swaha.”
- Tara Gayatri: “Om Tarayai Vidmahe, Mahograyai Dhimahi, Tanno Devi Prachodayat.”
Recite these mantras with reverence, visualizing Goddess Tara's light and protection filling your mind and heart.
By following this approach, you honor Goddess Ugra Tara with sincerity, embracing eco-friendly practices that protect the environment, showing respect for nature in alignment with divine energy.