Mumbai: Bhagavathi Seva is a Hindu ritual and ceremony performed to honour the Goddess Durga (Bhagavathi) in her various forms, including Mahakali, Mahalakshmi, and Mahasaraswati. It’s a powerful ritual believed to remove negative energies, obstacles, and evil influences, while also promoting spiritual and material well-being. The ritual is often conducted in the evening, especially on auspicious days like Ashtami, Navami, and Poornima, or Fridays.
Recently, Sri Sankara Mattham at Matunga, in Mumbai, conducted Bhagavati Seva pooja (worship) as part of the Aadi month (Shravan). Performing this pooja at home brings in good vibes and removes any negative energy. When this pooja is held in the temple, the power of the deity is increased considerably.
Before starting the Bhagavathi Seva, the priest creates a design called Padmam (lotus); this is normally done using rice powder and turmeric powder. The design of the Padmam may be as simple as a Swastika or as complex as the Ashtadala Padmam. During the pooja, the Goddess is invoked and seated on this Padamam. Four lamps are placed at the four corners and a major one at the centre.
The pooja commences with the priest cleaning himself with an ablution. The priest wears new clothes because he performs a great religious rite.
The presence of the Goddess is invoked with the power of an appropriate mantra, which varies depending upon which Goddess is being worshipped, to arrive in the Padmam. After invoking her presence, she is also protected by the mantras. It is important to chant them with the correct pronunciation and intonation, and the person chanting should have concentration and devotion.
The Goddess is offered water for cleansing herself and naivedyam, which is converted into Amritam with the chanting of an appropriate mantra. While the priest is offering pushpanjali (flowers), it is customary for devotees to recite various stotras. It is auspicious to recite Devi Mahatmyam, Lalitha Sahasranamam, and Soundaryalahari.
The Pooja ends with Aarathi, after which Nai payasam made out of rice, ghee and jaggery, along with Vada, is distributed as Prasadam.
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