Worshipping Goddess Saptashrungi Mata, a revered form of Goddess Durga in Hinduism, is deeply rooted in devotion, ritual purity, and simplicity. Following eco-friendly practices honors the goddess while also respecting the natural world. This guide provides step-by-step instructions on performing a complete and environmentally mindful puja (worship) to Goddess Saptashrungi Mata.
1. Understanding Goddess Saptashrungi Mata
- Significance: Saptashrungi Mata, located in Maharashtra, is known as the goddess who grants strength and courage to her devotees. Her name means "Mother of the Seven Hills," and she is believed to be one of the 51 Shakti Peethas, where the right arm of Goddess Sati fell.
- Importance of Worship: Worshipping her is said to provide protection, remove fears, fulfill desires, and instill inner peace and strength.
2. Cleanliness and Preparation for Worship
- Cleanse Yourself and Surroundings: Take a bath before the puja and wear clean clothes. Make sure the area of worship is tidy. Use a natural, herbal floor cleaner or wipe the floor with water mixed with turmeric, as turmeric is both antiseptic and auspicious.
- Personal Hygiene: Wash your hands, face, and feet before entering the worship area.
- Setting Up an Altar: Choose a calm, clean space and set up a small altar. Use an eco-friendly wooden or metal platform covered with a white or red cloth.
3. Time for Worship
- Ideal Time: Dawn or early morning is best, as the atmosphere is serene and the energy is high. However, you can also perform the puja during the evening. Tuesdays and Fridays are especially auspicious for worshipping Saptashrungi Mata.
4. Dress Code: What to Wear
- Color: Red and yellow are traditionally favored colors, symbolizing power, energy, and auspiciousness. Opt for simple, clean attire without heavy ornaments, as humility is key to devotion.
- Material: Natural fabrics like cotton or silk are preferable as they are eco-friendly and maintain purity during worship.
5. Puja Items Required (Eco-Friendly)
- Flowers: Fresh, organic red hibiscus or marigold flowers, as these are favored by the goddess. Avoid using plastic flowers.
- Leaves: Mango leaves or betel leaves (if locally available) are good to use for decoration.
- Fruits: Use seasonal fruits that are organically grown for offering. Bananas, apples, and pomegranates are common choices.
- Incense: Eco-friendly, organic incense sticks made from natural materials.
- Camphor and Cotton Wicks: Organic camphor and pure cotton wicks for the diya (lamp).
- Pure Ghee: Use organic ghee for the diya as it purifies the atmosphere.
- Haldi (Turmeric) and Kumkum (Red Powder): These are essential for any puja as symbols of purity and energy. Choose organic powders.
- Eco-Friendly Kalash (Water Pot): Fill it with water and place a coconut on top with mango leaves around the mouth of the pot.
- Sandalwood Paste: This can be used to mark the forehead or as part of the offerings.
6. Simple Steps of Puja
Dhyana (Meditation): Begin by sitting calmly and taking deep breaths. Meditate for a few minutes, focusing on Goddess Saptashrungi Mata’s image or an idol.
Invocation: Light the diya with ghee and incense sticks. Chant an invocation mantra such as:
Offer Flowers: Place flowers at the goddess's feet, visualizing each petal as a symbol of your love, devotion, and gratitude.
Apply Haldi-Kumkum: Offer turmeric and kumkum on the image or idol as a mark of respect and devotion.
Offer Fruits and Sweets: Place fruits and sweets (like organic jaggery or homemade laddoo) in front of the altar as a prasad (offering).
Chanting and Prayers: Recite any of the following mantras with sincerity:
- Saptashrungi Mata Gayatri Mantra:
- Durga Saptashloki (Seven Verses of Durga): These powerful mantras invoke the protection and blessings of the goddess.
- Saptashrungi Mata Gayatri Mantra:
Aarti: Conclude the prayer with an aarti. Sing or play the Saptashrungi Mata Aarti while rotating the diya in a circular motion. Ring a small bell to enhance the atmosphere.
7. Prasad Preparation
- Traditional Prasad: Offer simple, sattvic (pure) food such as fruits, coconut, jaggery, or homemade sweets like ladoo. Avoid processed items.
- Eco-Friendly Utensils: Serve prasad in banana leaves or traditional metal bowls to maintain eco-friendliness.
8. Concluding the Puja
- Thank the Goddess: Express gratitude to Saptashrungi Mata for her presence and blessings.
- Distribute Prasad: Share the prasad with family members or neighbors as a form of shared blessing.
- Clean the Area: Carefully gather leftover items like flowers and turmeric, and dispose of them in a natural way. You can bury the flowers and organic materials in soil, symbolizing a return to nature.
9. What to Do with Leftover Items (Eco-Friendly Disposal)
- Flowers and Leaves: Compost them or bury them in the soil. This ensures the flowers nourish the earth, aligning with eco-friendly principles.
- Water from Kalash: Pour the water at the base of a tree or plants, symbolizing a return to nature.
- Ash from Camphor: You can sprinkle the ash around plants as a natural fertilizer.
10. Benefits of Worshipping Saptashrungi Mata
- Spiritual Strength and Courage: Regular worship builds inner strength and dispels fear.
- Fulfillment of Desires: Devotees believe the goddess grants sincere wishes and provides support in difficult times.
- Mental Peace: Worshipping with devotion brings peace and clarity, aligning one’s thoughts with positivity.
Worshipping Goddess Saptashrungi Mata with devotion, purity, and eco-friendly practices brings a deep connection to the goddess, benefiting both the devotee and the environment. By using sustainable and natural items, maintaining cleanliness, and practicing gratitude, one ensures that this act of worship is in harmony with nature, making it truly sacred.