Kuldevi And Kuldevta — Family Deities And Their Importance In Hindu Tradition

Kuldevi-Kuldevta Puja: For thousands of years, Indians have worshipped their family deities. Learn who they are, the importance of their worship, and the consequences of neglecting it in families.

Kuldevi And Kuldevta

Source : ABPLIVE AI

Kuldevi-Devta In Hindu Dharma: In India, every community or caste has its own Kuldevi and Kuldevta. Besides them, there are also Pitru Devtas. During important ceremonies like birth and marriage, people worship these Kuldevis and Kuldevtas or chant their names.

There is also a special day when members of a family lineage gather at the place of their family deity for worship. Those unaware of or who have forgotten their Kuldevi or Kuldevta are considered disconnected from their family roots and lineage.

In Hindu family worship traditions, Kuldevta and Kuldevi hold a significant place. Every Hindu family traces its origin to a particular Rishi, which identifies their Gotra. Over time, these lineages evolved and divided into various social groups according to their karma.

The Role Of Kuldevi-Kuldevta In Family Growth And Protection

Every caste and community has its own Kuldevi and Kuldevta, worshipped as protectors and ancestors. Each caste descends from a Rishi, who is also revered as their Kuldevta/Kuldevi. Their blessings bring prosperity, family happiness, peace, and health. Ancestors chose specific Kuldevis/Kuldevtas to protect the family spiritually from negative energies and obstacles, ensuring smooth progress and growth on life’s path.

Who Are Kuldevi Or Kuldevta?

Kuldevi and Kuldevta are the guardian deities of a family or lineage. They are the primary revered and authoritative gods of the family tradition. Their status is as important and intimate as that of the elders in a household. Without their worship or respect, all other rituals and ceremonies may be ineffective. Their influence is so powerful that if they become displeased, no other deity can reduce the negative effects or prevent harm.

How To Find Out About Your Kuldevi Or Kuldevta?

If you don’t know, ask the elders in your family or gotra about your Kuldevi or Kuldevta. Try to learn where rituals like Jhadula or Mundan are performed according to your gotra tradition, or where the final rounds (5th, 6th, or 7th pheras) in marriage take place. These rituals usually happen in front of the Kuldevi or Kuldevta, which helps identify them.

Over time, many families have forgotten or lost knowledge of their Kuldevi or Kuldevta due to moving to different places, religious conversions, fear of invasions, early death of knowledgeable elders, decline of rituals, mixing of cultures, or simply not understanding these reasons.

Many families living in cities for generations, self-proclaimed modern thinkers, and those focused on science have neglected or stopped paying attention to their Kuldevi/Kuldevta out of pride in their knowledge or current status.

When Is The Kuldevta Or Kuldevi Worshipped?

Kuldevta or Kuldevi can get displeased by improper worship or rituals against tradition. Usually, they are worshipped once or twice a year at specific times, which vary by family and region. Special worship is also done during events like marriage or childbirth.

If the worship stops, they may become angry or indifferent, leaving the family unprotected from supernatural forces and inviting troubles. Every person and family should know their Kuldevta or Kuldevi and worship them appropriately for protection and prosperity.

Often, the Kuldevi, Kuldevta, and Ishtadevata (personal deity) may be the same, and their worship is simple — lighting lamps, incense, chanting names, and offering food before eating. Inviting them or seeking their blessings before auspicious events is important.

Even if you change your religion or personal deity, your Kuldevta or Kuldevi remains the same, as they are connected to your ancestral lineage.

Kuldevi/Kuldevta Puja Vidhi

• Essential items for the puja include, 4 water-soaked coconuts, red cloth, 10 betel nuts (supari), 8 or 16 beautification items, 10 betel leaves, ghee lamp, kumkum, turmeric, sindoor, moli, five types of sweets, puris, halwa, kheer, soaked chickpeas, batasha, camphor, janeu, and panchmeva.
• Where there is a sindoor-covered coconut, apply only sindoor (no turmeric or kumkum).
• Where the coconut is coloured with kumkum, apply only kumkum (no sindoor).
• Do not apply sindoor on uncoloured coconuts; turmeric and roli can be applied there, and place the janeu on these coconuts only.
• Offer the five types of sweets and homemade puri, halwa, and kheer as prasad.
• After the puja, distribute the prasad only within the house, do not give it outside.
• Optionally chant Durga or Kali mantras during the puja, but also chant Shiva mantras.
• Traditionally, unmarried girls of the house are not included in the Kuldevi/Kuldevta worship and should be kept apart.
• On special days and festivals, place the picture of Kuldevi/Kuldeva on a clean red cloth, light a ghee or oil lamp, offer incense, perform a hawan with ghee or oil, and offer traditional food like churma-bati, incense sticks, coconut, sweets, makhana, perfume, and flowers as per devotion.
• During Navratri, perform the puja along with the traditional "Athwai" ritual.

Pitru Devta Puja Vidhi

• Place the picture of Pitru Devta on a clean white asan.
• Light a ghee lamp, offer incense, and perform a hawan using ghee.
• Offer food like chawal ki senak or rice kheer with puri as prasad.
• Also offer incense sticks, coconut, Satabni sweets, makhane, perfume, fresh flowers, and other items according to devotion.

[Disclaimer: The content of this article is based solely on beliefs, and should be taken as general guidance. Individual experiences may vary. ABPLive.com does not assert the accuracy or validity of any claims or information presented. It is strongly recommended to consult a qualified expert before considering or implementing any information or belief discussed herein.]