Worship of Lord Kartikeya (Skanda, Murugan) is considered highly auspicious for courage, wisdom, victory, self-confidence, and protection from negative energies. He is the son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati and the commander of the gods. Lord Kartikeya is pleased by true devotion, discipline, and bravery. Tuesday and the Shashthi tithi are considered especially auspicious for his worship.
Preparation
Wake up early in the morning
Take a bath and wear clean clothes (red or yellow clothes are considered auspicious)
Maintain purity of mind, speech, and actions
Keep the puja area clean and peaceful
Place the idol or image of Lord Kartikeya on a clean seat
Prepare the lamp and puja materials
Shashthi tithi or Tuesday is considered especially auspicious
Puja Materials
Idol or image of Lord Kartikeya
Red or yellow flowers
Sandalwood paste
Akshat (rice)
Incense sticks
Ghee lamp
Water-filled vessel
Fruits
Prasad (laddoo or sweets)
Coconut
Betel leaves (optional)
Bell
Kartikeya Stotra / Aarti book
Sankalp (Resolution)
- 1
Sit calmly in front of Lord Kartikeya
- 2
Join your hands and close your eyes
- 3
Take a vow for the puja
- 4
Pray for courage, wisdom, success, and protection
Invocation
- 1
Light the ghee lamp and incense
- 2
Ring the bell
- 3
Meditate on Lord Kartikeya
- 4
Chant the mantra:
- 5
Om Saravanabhavaya Namah
- 6
Or chant:
- 7
Om Skandaya Namah
Puja Procedure
- 1
Offer water to Lord Kartikeya
- 2
Apply sandalwood tilak
- 3
Offer red or yellow flowers
- 4
Offer incense and light (deep)
- 5
Offer fruits and prasad
- 6
Offer coconut
- 7
Pray and meditate with devotion
Important
Lord Kartikeya is highly pleased by courage, discipline, and righteous conduct. Worship performed with a sincere heart helps remove fear, obstacles, and negative energies.
Mantra Chanting & Recitation
- 1
Recite any one or all of the following
- 2
Kartikeya Stotra
- 3
Skanda Shashthi Kavacham
- 4
Kartikeya Chalisa
- 5
Om Saravanabhavaya Namah (chant 108 times)
- 6
Om Skandaya Namah (chant 108 times)
Aarti
- 1
Perform aarti with a lamp
- 2
Sing Kartikeya ji’s aarti
- 3
Ring the bell
- 4
Pray with devotion
Prasad Distribution
- 1
First offer prasad to Lord Kartikeya
- 2
Sit quietly for a few moments
- 3
Distribute prasad among family members
- 4
Consume it with devotion
Charity After Puja (Optional but Auspicious)
- 1
Donate red clothes
- 2
Donate fruits or sweets
- 3
Help the poor and needy
- 4
Provide food or clothes to children
- 5
Feed birds
Important Guidelines
Maintain cleanliness and discipline
Avoid anger and negative thoughts
Follow courage and truth
Maintain regular worship and devotion
Respect elders
Maintain patience and self-confidence