BhaktiLoopMuruga Puja (General)
Muruga Puja is a devotional worship performed to Lord Kartikeya, the son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, and the commander-in-chief of the Devas. He is revered as the God of war, wisdom, and victory. The puja involves invoking His presence, offering various ritualistic items, chanting His sacred names and mantras, and performing Arati to seek His divine grace. It is widely celebrated, especially in South India, where He is profoundly worshipped as Murugan.
Purpose
To seek blessings for courage, wisdom, victory over enemies (internal and external), removal of obstacles, good health, progeny, spiritual growth, protection from negative influences, and fulfillment of desires.
Key Rituals
Sankalpa (Solemn Vow/Intention): Stating the purpose of the puja.
Dhyanam (Meditation): Meditating on the form of Lord Murugan.
Avahanam (Invocation): Inviting the deity to be present.
Asanam (Offering a Seat): Symbolically offering a comfortable seat.
Padya, Arghya, Achamanam (Water Offerings): Offering water for washing feet, hands, and sipping.
Snanam (Abhishekam/Bathing): Bathing the idol/picture with water, milk, honey, curd, ghee, sugar, etc.
Vastram (Clothing): Offering new clothes or a sacred thread (Upaveetam).
Gandham (Sandalwood Paste): Applying sandalwood paste to the deity.
Pushpam (Flowers): Offering flowers (especially red ones, Kadamba, Jasmine, oleander) while chanting names (Ashtottara Shatanamavali or Sahasranamavali).
Dhupam (Incense): Lighting incense sticks.
Deepam (Lamp): Lighting a lamp (ghee or oil).
Naivedyam (Food Offering): Offering cooked food (Payasam, Sakkarai Pongal, fruits, milk, sweets, jaggery).
Tamboolam (Betel Leaves & Nut): Offering betel leaves with betel nuts and camphor.
Neerajanam (Aarti): Waving a lamp in front of the deity with devotion.
Pradakshina (Circumambulation): Circling the deity clockwise.
Mantras & Stotrams: Chanting specific Murugan mantras, Stotrams like Skanda Sashti Kavacham, Subramanya Bhujangam.
Kshama Prarthana (Pardon Prayer): Seeking forgiveness for any mistakes during the puja.
Prasadam Distribution: Distributing the sanctified offerings to devotees.
Common Offerings
Flowers (especially red, Kadamba, Oleander, Jasmine)
Fruits (banana, mango, pomegranate)
Milk, Honey, Curd, Ghee
Sandalwood paste (Chandan)
Vermilion (Kumkum)
Vibhuti (Sacred Ash)
Incense sticks (Agarbatti)
Oil lamps (Deepam) with ghee or oil
Camphor (Karpura)
Cooked rice, Sweet Pongal (Sakkarai Pongal), Payasam (Kheer)
Jaggery
Betel leaves and Areca nuts (Tamboolam)
Associated Mantras
Mantra 1
Mantra Text
Om Saravanabhava Namaha
Meaning
Salutations to the one born in the thicket of reeds (Saravana). This refers to Murugan's miraculous birth.
Benefits
This six-syllable (Shadakshari) mantra is highly potent for seeking Murugan's blessings, bestowing protection, courage, wisdom, and success. It helps in overcoming obstacles and negative energies.
Mantra 2
Mantra Text
Om Subramanyaya Namaha
Meaning
Salutations to Lord Subramanya, the one who is auspicious and embodies Brahmanya (divine knowledge).
Benefits
A general and popular salutation, chanting this mantra invokes Lord Murugan's grace for clarity of mind, good health, removal of fears, and overall well-being. It is easy to remember and widely used in daily worship.
Mantra 3
Mantra Text
Aum Tatpurushaya Vidmahe, Maha Senaya Dhimahi, Tanno Skandah Prachodayat
Meaning
Om, May we know that Supreme Being, for whom we meditate upon the great commander. May Lord Skanda illuminate our intellect.
Benefits
This is the Kartikeya Gayatri Mantra. Chanting it helps in attaining divine wisdom, clarity of thought, strategic thinking, and leadership qualities. It also provides spiritual guidance and awakens inner potential.
Auspicious Days
Sashti Tithi (Sixth day after New Moon/Full Moon - especially during waxing phase)
Skanda Sashti (Most significant, observed in Aippasi/Kartika month, usually October/November)
Krithika Nakshatra (especially when it falls on a Tuesday or Sashti Tithi)
Tuesdays (considered a special day for Murugan worship)
Thaipusam (Thai Poosam - usually in January/February)
Panguni Uthiram (usually in March/April)
Visakam (Vaishaka month, Murugan's birthday as per some traditions)
Regional Variations
In South India (Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh), Lord Kartikeya is predominantly known as Murugan and is one of the most revered deities. Pujas here often involve elaborate Abhishekam, chanting of Tamil hymns like Tiruppugazh and Skanda Sashti Kavacham. Kavadi Attam is a unique devotional offering during festivals like Thaipusam. His vehicle, the peacock, and His spear, the Vel, are central to the worship. In North India, He is more commonly known as Kartikeya or Skanda, and while revered, His worship is less widespread compared to Shiva or Vishnu, often seen as a brahmachari (celibate). Bengali traditions also depict Him alongside Durga.
Related Pujas
Skanda Sashti Vratam (A six-day fasting and worship observed during Skanda Sashti)
Vel Puja (Specific worship of Lord Murugan's divine spear, the Vel)
Abhishekam (Ritualistic bathing performed for Murugan's idol)
Kavadi Attam (A devotional offering and pilgrimage, not a puja, but intimately connected to Murugan worship)
Arunagirinathar's Tiruppugazh Recitation (Chanting the hymns of Saint Arunagirinathar dedicated to Murugan)