Worshipping Goddess Sherawali, often identified with Durga, is a revered practice in Hinduism. Sherawali Mata is depicted as riding a lion and is associated with courage, protection, and motherhood. Her worship aims to invoke her blessings for strength, prosperity, and protection from evil. Here’s a comprehensive guide covering every aspect of her worship, including eco-friendly practices.
1. Importance of Worshipping Goddess Sherawali
- Sherawali Mata symbolizes power, courage, and protection. Worshipping her is believed to instill strength, remove obstacles, bring prosperity, and protect devotees from negative influences.
- Devotees seek her blessings for inner peace, overcoming fears, and ensuring a harmonious family life.
2. Preparation and Cleanliness
- Personal Cleanliness: Bathe and wear clean, preferably freshly washed clothes before starting the puja.
- Altar and Space Cleanliness: Clean the area where the puja will be performed. Keep the altar tidy, dust-free, and adorned with flowers and rangoli (floor designs made from eco-friendly materials).
- Eco-Friendly Approach: Use biodegradable, natural products for the altar and decorations, such as leaves, flowers, and earthen diyas (lamps).
3. Timings for Worship
- The ideal time to worship Sherawali Mata is early in the morning during Brahma Muhurta (roughly between 4:00 AM to 6:00 AM).
- Evening puja is also considered auspicious, especially during Navratri (nine days of special worship dedicated to Goddess Durga).
- Consistency in timing is encouraged if the puja is to be performed daily.
4. What Color Clothes to Wear
- White, red, or yellow are traditionally worn as these colors are associated with purity, power, and auspiciousness.
- Avoid black as it’s generally considered inauspicious in Hindu worship practices.
5. Puja Items Required (Eco-Friendly)
- Picture or Idol of Goddess Sherawali: Ideally, made from clay or natural, biodegradable materials.
- Earthen Diyas (Lamps): Use mustard oil or ghee (clarified butter) as fuel.
- Incense Sticks (Agarbatti): Select natural, organic incense.
- Kumkum (Red Powder), Haldi (Turmeric): Used for tilak and symbolizing auspiciousness.
- Flowers: Marigold, jasmine, and roses. Choose organic and locally sourced flowers.
- Fruits: Fresh, seasonal fruits as offerings.
- Fresh Leaves (Mango or Betel): Mango leaves are commonly used to decorate the altar.
- Camphor: For the aarti (fire offering ritual).
- Water in a Copper Vessel: A copper pot with water is kept for purification and abhishekam (pouring on the deity).
- Eco-Friendly Cloth: A small clean cloth for wiping or decorating purposes.
6. Simple Steps for Sherawali Puja
- Prepare the Altar: Arrange the idol or picture of Sherawali Mata on a clean, decorated altar with flowers and diyas.
- Invoke the Deity: Begin by invoking Goddess Sherawali. Bow down and chant “Om Dum Durgaye Namah” or “Om Sherawali Mata Namah.”
- Offerings:
- Flowers: Offer fresh flowers while chanting the deity’s name.
- Tilak: Apply kumkum and haldi on the idol or picture.
- Water: Sprinkle a few drops of water, symbolizing purity.
- Diyas and Incense: Light the diya and incense sticks and wave them in a circular motion in front of the goddess.
- Naivedya (Offering of Food): Offer fruits, sweets, or simple prasad prepared from pure, sattvic (simple and pure) ingredients.
- Chanting Mantras and Prayers: Recite mantras such as:
- “Om Dum Durgaye Namah” (for protection and strength)
- “Sarva Mangala Mangalye Shive Sarvartha Sadhike, Sharanye Tryambake Gauri Narayani Namostute” (for overall wellbeing and blessings)
- Aarti: Sing a traditional aarti song dedicated to Goddess Durga while waving a lit camphor.
7. Prasad to be Prepared
- Sweets: Halwa, laddoos, or kheer made from eco-friendly and organic ingredients.
- Fruits: Any seasonal fruits like bananas, apples, or mangoes.
- Simple Savory Offering: Rice, ghee, and jaggery mixture can also be offered as a sattvic prasad.
8. How to Conclude the Puja
- Final Prayer: Conclude with a prayer for peace, prosperity, and protection.
- Circumambulate: Bow and circumambulate around the altar three times as a gesture of respect.
- Express Gratitude: Thank Goddess Sherawali for her blessings.
- Distribute Prasad: Offer prasad to family members and neighbors, sharing the blessings.
9. Eco-Friendly Disposal of Puja Items
- Flowers and Leaves: Collect used flowers and leaves in a compostable bag and compost them in a garden or natural area.
- Water: If water was used in the abhishekam, pour it around plants or trees to nurture them.
- Incense Ash and Diyas: Ash from incense and used diyas can also be composted.
- Avoid plastic or synthetic decorations; instead, choose natural options that return to nature without harm.
10. Benefits of Worshipping Goddess Sherawali
- Emotional Strength and Courage: Worshipping Sherawali Mata is believed to build mental fortitude.
- Protection from Negativity: Her blessings are said to protect from negative energies, bad luck, and harm.
- Prosperity and Success: Devotees seek her blessings for success in personal and professional life.
- Family Harmony: Regular puja is thought to bring peace and harmony to family relations.
- Spiritual Growth: Worship is a path to spiritual growth, self-discipline, and a deeper connection with the divine.
By embracing eco-friendly and simple practices, worship of Goddess Sherawali not only honors her but also aligns with her values of nurturing and protecting all aspects of creation.