An altar in Caribbean Shaktism is called a "bedi". Usually, most Caribbean Shaktas do not have a daily altar, but having one is becoming increasingly common. Bedis are typically built from wood, and you can buy one online which looks like a mini temple that many non-Caribbean Hindus use, and they are wonderful so i'd personally buy one. But, within our tradition, bedis are flat platforms where a design (in Caribbean Hindustani known as a rangoli or hareepan, in Tamil as Kolam) of the Navagraha sign (look below) and an Om symbol (ஓ) Sometimes, on the surface of this bedi they will put dirt and use it to cover the rest of the wood and then later add on the flour design.
Traditionally, the design is made with rice flour, but now "atta" or wheat flour is used. Some people have the custom of making another kolam on top of this design with colored rice, which you can do to make it very beautiful. Others simply leave it, and cover the area with a puja cloth or saree if it is mainly for a Goddess.
This bedi is temporary, usually used for jhandis aka prayer services, and here is where the murthis (idols) are put of the devathas. But, you can keep it there if you desire.
Within any aspect of Hinduism, directions are important. So here is a guide:
The Ganesh murti will go in the middle of the eastern part of your altar, with Lakshmi to his left, and Saraswathi to her left. These devathas are the ones to always be prayed to before any type of puja; Ganesh removes obstacles, Lakshmi illuminates and lightens your path, and Saraswathi imbues you with knowledge. You always put them in the front
You then make your Kalasam, which represents the deity "Varuna", the god of water and the seas. You worship him to imbue the water with special protective and healing properties which can be used to wipe down murthis, bathe yourself, wash your house, etc. This will go in the middle of the bedi. To make a kalasam, take a lota (also called a kalsa), and fill it with water, a supari (betel nut), a pinch of turmeric, a manjal stick, cloves, cardamom, and on the edge place five mango leaves, which are preferably connected by the stem but if not, thats fine, and either a coconut or a thali with a diya on it is placed on top of this Kalasam.
To the left of the Kalasam, in the top left corner of your bedi, you will place your Shiva murthi (or Shiva paridevathas/avataram). You can place a shiva lingam here or a full size murthi of Shiva with his wife Parvathi and his son Kartikeya.
In the top center of the bedi, place your Krishna or Rama murthi, or any Perumal paridevatha in that same area. In the top right corner, place your Anjaneya (Hanuman) murthi. Infront of him, you will place nine small piles of rice, and on each one place a betel nut. This represents the navagrahas or the planetary deities. In the back, you will place a chowki or a stool and place your Amman murthi. She should overlook the other deities in the altar always.
Now, I only use this bedi altar whenever I do a jhandi but it can certaintly be your daily altar. But my daily altar looks like this:
Yeah... not very similar to a bedi, is it LMAO, but this way is more conventional and aesthetically pleasing in my opinion, which is why I have it.
Now, South Indian households have extremely beautiful daily altars with various pictures and murthis of the devathas:
These pictures here are called "Tanjore-style" pictures, from the city of Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu. They are indeed very beautiful and if you wish, you can make your daily altar like this. Now, South Indians usually keep their altars in a specific room only used for pujas.
Now, if you want to give offerings, some safe offerings for any God are: Water Rice grains mixed with Turmeric (Akshatas) Sindoor Manjal (Turmeric) Thambulam (Paan leaves with soopari on it) Oil or ghee lamps Fruits Flowers Nuts or dried fruit Sugar Garlands Clothing Sacred thread (mouli) Ornaments for Goddesses Incense Aarti (where you circle a lit camphor or lamp around the deity seven times) More specific offerings (note that the offerings for the Caribbean Shakta deities are how its done back in India and not how it is done in the Caribbean. If you want the traditional Caribbean offerings, go to the deities respective page) and their respective mantras: Ganapathi/Vinayagar
Mantra: Om Gam Ganapataye Namah
Offerings: Offerings of modhaka and of durva grass garlands are special to Ganesha. Lord Ganesha is decorated with viboodhi, turmeric and sandal powder. Performing Ganapathi Homam before starting any project is very auspicious.
Kamakshi
Mantra: Vandhe Maatharam Ambhikaam Bhagavatheem Vaanee Ramaa Sevitham
Kalyaaneem Kamaneeya Kalpa Lathikaam Kailaasa Naatha Priyam
Vedhaantha Prathi Bhaasamaana Vibhavaam Vidhvan Manoranjaneem
Sree Chakra-anghitha Rathna Peeta Nilayaam Sri Raaja Raajeswareem
Offerings: Special puja is performed to Parvathi by invoking her in the lamp. This is called “Deepa Puja”. Special abishekams and alankaras with flowers and turmeric powder are performed to Parvathi. Performing Gowri kalyanam and Meenakshi kalyanam are customary. Bhagavathi Seva is famous in Kerala. Paayasam and Vada are special offering to Parvathi.
Sivan-
Mantra: Vandhe Sambhum Umaapathim Suragurum
Vandhe Jagath Kaaranam
Vandhe Pannaga Bhooshanam Mrigadharam
Vandhe Pasoonaam Pathim
Vandhe Soorya Sasaanga Vahnni Nayanam
Vandhe Mukundha Priyam
Vandhe Baktha Janaasryam Cha
Varadham Vandhe Sivam Sankaram
Offerings: Siva is Abhishekapriya, meaning one who adores sacred bath. Rudraabishekam, Rudra homam, Mrithyunjaya homam are performed to Lord Siva. Bilva leaf, Erukku, Thumba and Oleander flowers are auspicious to Siva.
Ayyapa
Mantra: Loka Veeryam Mahaa Poojyam Sarva Rakshaakaram Vibhum Parvathee Hirdya-anandham Saasthaaram pranamaamyaham
Offerings: Ghee Abishekam to Lord Ayyappa is very auspicious. Devotees observe vratham for a mandalam (41 days) and carry irumudi* up the Eighteen Holy steps and perform abishekams to Lord Ayyappa. Decorations with sandalwood powder and abishekam with flowers are also performed. Appam, Paanakam and Aravanai Paayasam are offered to Lord Ayyappa.
Saraswathi
Mantra: Saraswathi Namasthubhyam Varadhe Kaama Roopini
Vidhya-Arambham Karishyaami Siddhir Bhavathu Me Sadhaa
Offerings: Abishekams and special decorations with turmeric powder and beads are offered to Saraswathi. A variety of preparations made of boiled lentils, paayasam and vada are given as special offerings during the puja. The function to initiate children to the learning process is called Vidhyaarambam. This is performed by praying to Saraswathi and making children write the first alphabet in their mother tongue in rice.
Chandikeshwarar
Mantra: Om Namah Sivaya
Offerings: Flowers, fruits, bael leaves
Muruga
Mantra: Shadaananam Kumkuma Raktha Varnam
Mahaamathim Dhivya Mayoora Vaahanam
Rudhrasya Soonum Sura Sainya Naatham
Guham Sadhaaham Saranam Prapadhye
Offerings: Special alankara with viboodhi, and sandal powder are performed to Lord Subrahmanya. Abishekam with Panchaamirtham, milk, sandal powder and rose water are special. On Festival days it is customary to go in a procession with Kaavadi with flowers, milk and rose water. Performing Valli Kalyanam is also very auspicious.
Narasimhar
Prayer: Prathibhata Shrevi Bhishana
Varaguna Sthoma Bhusana
Janibhaya Sthana Karana
Jagadavasthana Karana
Nikhila Dushkarna Karshana
Nigavana Saddhama Darshana
Jaya Jaya Sri Sudarshana
Jaya Jaya Sri Sudarshana
Offerings: Sri Sudarshana can be decorated with good flowers and ornaments, and can be offered fruits, coconuts, sweets, etc. Puris made out of wheat flour, laja (puffed rice) and also charu ayya (sakkar pongal with pure ghee) are also very good offerings.
Lakshmi
Prayer: Karo tu Kalyanam Aroghyam Sukh Sampadam, Mama Shatru Vinashayam Deepa Jyotir Namostute
Offerings: Paayasam and sweets such as Ladu, fruits and milk, are made as alankara to Lakshmi. Special abishekams and offerings with beads and coins, and homams are also performed to Lakshmi.
Andal
Prayer: Sree Vishnu Chiththa Kula Nandhana Kalpa Valleem Sree Ranga Raaja Hari Chandhana Yoga Dhrusyaam Saakshhat Kshammaam Kaarunyaa Kamalaami Vaanyaam
Godhaam Ananya Sarana: Saranam Prapadhye
Offerings: Andal is specially worshipped by reciting her songs called Thiruppaavai, early in the mornings during the Hindu month of Dhanu. Performing Andal Kalyanam is customary. Venpongal and Sweet Pongal are offered to Andal.
Venkateswara
Mantra: Vinaa Venkatesam Nanaadho Nanatha Sadhaa Venkatesam Smaraami Smaraami Hare Venkatesa Praseedha Praseedha Priyam Venkatesa Prayaccha Prayaccha
Offerings: Thulasi leaves, flowers, raisins, Laadu, Adai, Tamarind rice, Yogurt rice and Vada are preferred offerings to Lord Venkateswara. Abishekam and special decorations with flowers (Poolangi) and Gems(Muthangi) are famous to Lord Venkateswara. Performing Srinivasa Kalyanam is also customary.
Vishvaksena
Mantra: Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya Namah
Offerings: Fruits, flowers, incense
Perumal (Krisna)
Mantra: Krishnaaya Vasudevaaya Devakinandanaaya Cha
Nandagopa Kumaraaya Govindaaya Namo Nama
Offerings: Garlands with Thulasi leaves and fruits, beaten rice with jaggery and butter are special offerings to Krishna. Special decorations with butter are performed to Krishna.
Rama
Mantra: Raamaaya Raama Bhadhraaya Raamachandraaya Vedhase
Raghu Naathaya Naathaaya Seethaaya Pathaye Nama
Offerings: Apart from flowers and fruits, light drink prepared from jaggery and also butter milk are special offerings to Rama. Reciting the verses in Sundara Kaanda in Ramaayana is auspicious. Performing Sita Kalyanam is also customary.
Anjaneya
Mantra: Manojavam Maarutha Thulya Vegam Jithendhrhiyam Budhdhimathaam Varishtam
Vaathaa-thmajam Vaanara Yoodha Mukhyam Sree Raama-dhootham Sirasaa Namaami
Offerings: Offerings of butter and garlands with vada, thulasi and betel leaves are special to Hanuman. On Hanumath Jayanthi day more than one thousand eight vadas are offered as a garland to Hanuman. Special decorations with butter are performed to Lord Hanuman. Reciting Hanuman chaalisa and writing the holy name of Rama on these days are considered auspicious.
Navagrahas
Mantra: Aadhithyaaya Cha Somaaya Mangalaaya Bhudhaaya Cha
Guru Sukra Sanibhyascha Raahave, Kethave Namaha.
Offerings: Performing Navagraha Homam is very auspicious. Offerings like sesame seeds, rice or any of the “nine grains” that may be appropriate are also made. Lighting lamps with sesame oil or seeds on Saturdays is important to Sani. Thil rice and Paayasam are offered to Navagraha.
Linga Bhairavi
Mantra: Shmashana Bhairavi Nararudhirasthi - Vasabhakshini Siddhim Me Dehi
Mama Manorathan Puraya Hum Phat Svaha॥
Offerings: Nei Deepam, Mangalya Bala Sutra, neem leaves and jasmine flowers, Sarees, kumkum archanai
Mariamman (my main goddess)
Mantra: Sarva Mangala Maangalye Sive Sarvaartha Saadhake
Saranye Thryambake Devi Naaraayani Namosthuthe
Offerings: Pongal, Mavilakku, Neem leaves, Lime garlands, Turmeric, flowers (especially Arali or Oleander), and bangles, Incense, lamps, rice, fruits.
Sangili Karuppar
Mantra: Om Alithaangaaya Vithmahe
Mahaasastha Parivaaraaya Theemahi
Thanno Karuppaswaami Prachothayaath.
Offerings: Curd Rice topped with some type of vegetable curry, Coconuts and a cantaloupe (when it was cut in half, it was smeared with sindoor mixed with water to form a paste, this is to represent an animal sacrifice), Vadas, Lime garland, flowers, Fruits, Cigars and Liquor, Vibhuti, neem leaves
Bhumi Devi
Mantra: Om Vasundharaya vidmahe
Bhutadhatraya dhimahi
Tanno Bhumih prachodayat
Offerings: We offer her fruits and flowers. We also give this mother kheer without sugar.
Sri Jayadurga
Mantra: Kaathyaayanaaya Vidmahe Kanyakumaari Dheemahi
Thanno Dhurgi(h) Prachodayaath.
Offerings: Performing archana or lighting special lamps made of dough during “Raahu kaalam” is special to Durga. Garlands made of lemon are usually offered to Durga. Special decorations with turmeric and sandalwood pastes and flowers are made as special offerings. Reciting Lalitha sahasranaama and Mahishaasura Mardhni sthothram and performing Chandi homam are auspicious.
Gangai Amman
Mantra: Om Shuddhi Datha Ganga Mata Namo Namo Namah
Offering: fruits, sakkarai pongal, limes, flowers, and sweets
Kateri Amman
Mantra: Katyayani Magamayi Mahayoginyadheeshwari
Nandgopsutam Devipatim Me Kuru te Namah
Offerings: Curd rice topped with spicy curry, goats, chickens, hogs, egg curry, vadai, ven pongal, lime garlands, arali flowers, hibiscus, nine paan leaves of thambulam, turmeric, neem leaves, sindooram archanai, fruits, incense, and lamps
Naguran Mira
Mantra: Om Namah Sivaya
Offerings: Oil lamps, flowers, a tasbih, bananas with sugar sprinkled on top, sehra with a thambulam (a paan leaf topped with a coin, a dried turmeric, a supari, and some whole cardamom/cloves) and silver representations of your desires.
Madurai Veeran
Mantra: Om Theerkka Nethraaya Vithmahe
Kedaga Hasthaaya Theemahi
Thanno Veera Prachothayaath.
Offerings: Coconut Balidaan, Limes, Neem Leaves, Black Roosters, Cigars, Alcohol, Pongal topped with peeled Green Banana marked with three dots of kumkum and manjal, Fruits
Muniswaran
Mantra: Om Kaanagavaasaaya Vithmahe
Kadka Hasthaaya Theemahi
Thanno Muneeswara Prachothayaath.
Offerings: Spicy curries on curd rice, neem leaves, limes, balidaan of various fruits, goats, chickens, cigars, alcohol, vibhuthi, egg curry, vadai
Kaliamman
Mantra: Jayanti Mangala Kali Bhadrakali Kapalini, Durga Ksama Sivan Dhatri, Swaha Swadha Namostute
Offerings: Pongal, Mavilakku, Neem leaves, Lime garlands, Turmeric, flowers (especially Arali or hibiscus), and bangles, Incense, lamps, rice, fruits, Spicy curries on curd rice, limes, balidaan of various fruits, goats, chickens, cigars, alcohol, kumkum, egg curry, vadai, Kumkum Archanai, Manjal Kappu, piercing your cheeks as self-burden, santhanam kappu (sandalwood paste covered face of the deity), recitation of holy scriptures such as Lalita Sahasranamah, Kamakshi Virutham, Mariamman Thalattu, Kaliamman Thalattu, Mariamman Virutham, Devi Suktham, among others
Kal Bhairav
Mantra: Om Hreem Vatukaya Apad Uddharanaya Kuru Kuru Bhairavaya Namah
Offerings: Coconut Balidaan, Limes, Neem Leaves, Black Roosters, Cigars, Alcohol, Pongal topped with peeled Green Banana marked with three dots of kumkum and manjal, Fruits
Naga Devatha
Mantra: Anantam Vasukim Shesham
Padmanabham cha Kambalam
Shankhapalam Dhartarashtram
Taxakam Kaliyam Tatha
Etani Nava Navaami Naganancha Mahatmana
Sayam Patenityam Prathahkaale Visheshita
Tasya Vishabhayam Naasti Sarvatra Vijayaa Bhaveth
Offerings: eggs on dirt mounds, kumkum and manjal, milk thirumanjam, fruits, incense
Varaha
Mantra: Om Namo Bhagavathe Varaharupaya Bhubhurva Swaha Syathptebhupathi Tyam Dehyate Dadapathaya Swaha
Offering: Peepal Leaves, Sundal, Sakkarai Pongal, 52 food items during Purattasi, Panagam, Pulihora, Laddoo, Vadas, Appam, Payasam, Gugillu (Gugula/Banana Fritter Balls), Athirasam, Curd Rice
The daily prayers I use for all the deities I honor (these are based on the deities I find at the temples I go to, so adjust it to how you can. Also, do note that I do not only go to Caribbean Shakta temples, my main temple is an Agamic Shaivist-Vaishnavist temple, so some of my deities here are the ones found in that temple.):
You can also use this: https://paaramparya.com/courses/everyday-slokas I hope this gave you some inspo to make your own Shakta altar for your daily prayers! Just a little note, your altar should always face east, and before creating it, make sure to wash the floor or area where it will be with manjal thannir, and if you do not have time for daily prayers, it does not make you any less hindu, the Goddess will still care for you. Om Shakti, and Thank you! <3
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