BhaktiLoopSantoshi Mata Vrata Puja
The Santoshi Mata Vrata is a popular Hindu religious fast observed primarily by women for 16 consecutive Fridays (Solah Shukravar Vrat). Devotees believe that observing this fast with utmost devotion brings joy, prosperity, and fulfillment of wishes. A strict rule of this vrat is the complete avoidance of sour food items, both in offerings and personal consumption, throughout the day of the fast.
Purpose
To seek blessings for peace, happiness, prosperity, removal of obstacles, fulfillment of desires, marital bliss, well-being of family members, and overall contentment in life. It is particularly observed by women.
Key Rituals
- Purification (Shuddhi)**: The devotee takes an early morning bath and wears clean clothes.
- Sankalpa (Intention)**: The devotee takes a vow to observe the fast with sincerity, stating their purpose for the vrat.
- Ganesha Puja**: Begin with an invocation to Lord Ganesha, seeking his blessings for the successful completion of the vrat, as Santoshi Mata is believed to be his daughter.
- Kalash Sthapana**: A 'kalash' (pot) filled with water, five mango leaves, and a coconut placed on top is set up. This represents the presence of the deity.
- Santoshi Mata Puja**: An idol or picture of Santoshi Mata is placed. Offerings include flowers (especially red ones), sindoor, kumkum, incense (dhoop), and a lamp (deepak).
- Naivedyam (Offerings)**: Special Prasad (offering) of jaggery (gur) and roasted gram (chana) is prepared and offered. It is crucial that no sour items are used in any offering or consumed by the devotee or anyone else in the household on that day.
- Vrat Katha (Story Reading)**: The devotee listens to or recites the Santoshi Mata Vrat Katha (story), which narrates the origin and significance of the fast and the miracles performed by the Goddess.
- Aarti**: The ritual concludes with the singing of Santoshi Mata Aarti, waving a lamp before the deity.
- Prasad Distribution**: The offered jaggery and gram Prasad is distributed among family members and devotees. A portion is often given to a cow.
- Udyapan (Conclusion Ceremony)**: After completing 16 Fridays, a special concluding ceremony (Udyapan) is performed, which often involves feeding 8 young girls (or a specific number as per tradition) a meal that strictly avoids sour items.
Common Offerings
Jaggery (Gur)
Roasted Gram (Chana)
Coconut
Flowers (especially red hibiscus, marigolds)
Fruits (non-sour ones like banana, apple, guava)
Incense sticks (dhoop)
Lamp (deepak) with ghee or oil
Red cloth or chunari (veil)
Sindoor and Kumkum (vermilion and red powder)
Sweets (made without any sour ingredients)
Water
Associated Mantras
Mantra 1
Mantra Text
Om Shri Santoshi Mahamaya Gajananandini Namo Namah
Meaning
Salutations to Santoshi, the Great Illusion, the daughter of Gajanana (Lord Ganesha).
Benefits
This is a primary mantra for invoking Goddess Santoshi and seeking her blessings for satisfaction and fulfillment.
Mantra 2
Mantra Text
Jai Santoshi Mata
Meaning
Victory to Mother Santoshi!
Benefits
A simple yet powerful chant used for expressing devotion and invoking the presence of the Goddess.
Mantra 3
Mantra Text
Om Aim Hreem Kleem Santoshi Devyai Namaha
Meaning
Salutations to Goddess Santoshi, invoking her powerful divine energies (Aim for knowledge, Hreem for illusion/power, Kleem for desire/attraction).
Benefits
Chanted for deeper spiritual connection, removal of obstacles, and fulfillment of specific desires.
Auspicious Days
Fridays (Shukrawar) - This is the designated day for observing the fast and performing the puja.
Regional Variations
While the core rituals and the avoidance of sour items remain consistent, minor variations may exist in the specific prayers recited, types of flowers used, or the precise details of the Udyapan ceremony depending on regional and family traditions across India. The story (Vrat Katha) might also have slight narrative differences in various versions.
Related Pujas
Lakshmi Puja (especially on Fridays, as Lakshmi is also associated with wealth and prosperity)
Vaibhav Lakshmi Vrat (another popular Friday fast for prosperity)
Ganesh Puja (performed at the beginning of most Hindu rituals, and Santoshi Mata is Ganesha's daughter)
Durga Puja (as Santoshi Mata is a manifestation of the Divine Mother)