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How To Worship Goddess Banashankari Devi In Hinduism - A Comprehensive Guide

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 Worshiping Goddess Banashankari Devi, revered as an incarnation of Goddess Parvati, is a powerful ritual in Hinduism, especially for devotees seeking protection, strength, and prosperity. Known for protecting her devotees from hardships and evil forces, she is worshiped with deep devotion, humility, and cleanliness. Here is a comprehensive guide to conducting a simple, eco-friendly puja for Goddess Banashankari Devi:

1. Importance of Worshiping Goddess Banashankari Devi

Goddess Banashankari Devi is widely worshiped in parts of Karnataka and Maharashtra, where she is venerated as a Mother Goddess who protects her devotees from hardships, misfortune, and evil influences. Her worship is believed to bring:

  • Courage and Protection: She blesses her devotees with strength to overcome challenges.
  • Prosperity and Well-being: Known to bring health, wealth, and general well-being.
  • Family Harmony and Success: Many worship her for family harmony and success in personal and professional endeavors.

2. Choosing the Right Time

  • Best Days for Worship: Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays are considered auspicious for Devi worship, particularly for Banashankari Devi.
  • Time of Day: Early mornings or evenings (preferably before sunset) are ideal.
  • Festival Time: The Banashankari Jatre or Banashankari Fair, usually in January or February, is especially significant for worship.

3. Cleanliness and Preparation

  1. Purify Yourself: Bathe and wear clean, traditional clothing.
  2. Prepare the Worship Space: Clean the area where the puja will be performed. Use natural or eco-friendly materials like banana leaves or cloth for decoration.
  3. Mindset: Approach the puja with a pure mind and a calm heart.

4. Attire for the Puja

  • Color of Clothing: Red, yellow, or green are traditional and auspicious colors to wear while worshiping Goddess Banashankari. These colors represent energy, prosperity, and purity, which align with her divine attributes.

5. Eco-Friendly Puja Items Required

To honor the Goddess and nature, use only eco-friendly items:

  • Kalash (Pot of water): Copper or clay kalash with clean water
  • Banana leaves or plantain leaves for decoration
  • Flowers: Red hibiscus, marigold, jasmine (sourced organically if possible)
  • Fruits: Seasonal fruits, especially coconuts, bananas, and sugarcane
  • Betel leaves and nuts: Fresh and clean betel leaves
  • Incense sticks (agarbatti): Natural or herbal incense
  • Diya (lamp): Earthen lamps with organic cotton wicks and ghee (clarified butter)
  • Rice grains: White, uncooked rice for offering

6. Simple Steps to Perform the Puja

  1. Setting Up the Altar: Place a clean cloth or banana leaf on the altar. Set the kalash with water in front, representing divine energy. Place the picture or idol of Banashankari Devi at the center.

  2. Lighting the Diya: Light the earthen diya, symbolizing the removal of darkness and ignorance.

  3. Offering Flowers: Begin by offering flowers at her feet, focusing on gratitude and reverence.

  4. Offering Fruits and Prasad: Place the fruits, coconut, and other prasad in front of the idol or picture. Break open the coconut as an offering.

  5. Lighting Incense: Light natural incense to purify the surroundings and create a spiritually charged environment.

  6. Reciting Mantras and Prayers:

    • Primary Mantra: Chant the following mantra 108 times using a rudraksha mala (prayer beads if available):
      • "Om Hreem Shreem Banashankari Deviye Namah"
    • Additional Prayer:
      • Offer a heartfelt prayer for protection, strength, and well-being, asking for the Goddess’s blessings.

  7. Offering Rice and Betel Leaves: Place rice and betel leaves in front of the deity as a mark of reverence and surrender.

7. Preparing Prasad (Offering)

  • Suggested Prasad: Coconut rice, payasam (sweet rice pudding), or jaggery-based sweets, as they are traditional offerings.
  • Eco-friendly Serving: Serve prasad on banana leaves or eco-friendly plates made from leaves or natural fibers.

8. Concluding the Puja

  1. Arati: Conclude the puja with a small arati (circular movement of the diya in front of the deity) while singing a hymn or bhajan dedicated to Banashankari Devi.
  2. Closing Prayers: Bow down and mentally express gratitude, concluding with:
    • "Sarva Mangal Mangalye Sive Sarvartha Sadhike, Sharanye Trayambake Gauri Narayani Namostute," meaning “Salutations to the Divine Mother, who brings auspiciousness and fulfills all desires.”
  3. Distribute Prasad: Share the prasad among family members and neighbors.

9. Eco-Friendly Disposal of Puja Leftover Items

  • Flowers and Leaves: Compost flowers, leaves, and other biodegradable items instead of discarding them in water bodies.
  • Remaining Prasad: Share any remaining prasad with neighbors, family, or friends, or offer it to animals or birds.
  • Dispose of Ashes Respectfully: Collect any ashes or remains from incense and dispose of them respectfully in a compost bin or natural area.

10. Benefits of Worshiping Banashankari Devi

  • Emotional Resilience and Courage: Her worship instills strength, mental clarity, and resilience.
  • Material and Spiritual Prosperity: The Goddess blesses her devotees with a harmonious life and prosperity.
  • Divine Protection: Known to shield her devotees from negative energies and evil forces, the puja brings a sense of security and divine grace.

This simple and eco-friendly worship method allows devotees to connect with Goddess Banashankari Devi and experience her grace and blessings.