Scent of her devotion: How Mothers Bind Families Through Faith And Rituals

If you ask people what memory brings them comfort, calm, and a feeling of security, the answer for a lot of us comes from a familiar scene, the early morning sounds of our mothers doing their pooja. The home is clean and tidy and quiet; the fragrance of jasmine flowers, sandalwood incense, and camphor fills the house. The pooja thali clinks and the flickering diya lights up the mandir. In the background, we can hear the chanting of the Suprabhata or maybe the Vishnu Sahasranama.

The prasada is something we all wait for, a banana, some milk, or ghee-soaked sheera served with blessings. This ritual may take a few minutes, but it sets the tone for the day. There is order, connection, and yes, love. That love is the devotion of our mothers, who, through these simple acts, bind families together.  

When is Mother's Day celebrated?

Mother’s Day is celebrated every year on the second Sunday of May to honor and appreciate mothers. It is a day dedicated to recognizing their love, sacrifices, and nurturing spirit. Although it has its roots in the 20th century in the United States, it is observed across the world with great enthusiasm. Mother's Day is a time to pause and express gratitude to the women who have shaped our lives with care, strength, and devotion, many times through quiet and everyday rituals that become the foundation of home. 

By traditionally taking the lead to perform rituals and faith practices, mothers become the silent keepers of family. They are the first to wake up at home, lighting the diya, preparing the mandir and setting good intentions for the day ahead. For her, it's not just a religious duty, but something deeply spiritual that she does on behalf of the family. A mother’s devotion is not limited to temple visits or festivals, it's present in the little rituals that are blended into the day, lighting a lamp at dusk, saying a quiet prayer before meals, tying a Raksha sutra on her wrist before her children's exams, or maybe a job interview. These are moments that have passed on without instructions, just through action and thoughtful observations. 

Although many of us have drifted from faith or grown into different belief systems, the memories of our mothers' rituals often remain in our hearts. Even after moving to a new city or a country, the scent of the agarbatti or dhoop, the chant of the mantras, can immediately bring us back to our childhood. Rituals mark new beginnings; they help us celebrate and also create a continuity for the next generation. Whether it is the early morning Ganesha pooja during Ganesh Chaturthi, preparing sweets during Deepavali, or the quiet prayers of Mahashivarathri, these practices shape the emotional and cultural fabric of the family.  

These rituals are not only spiritual but also emotional. A mother doesn’t just pray for herself, she prays for the well-being of her children, her spouse, her in-laws, and extended family too. Her fasting is an act of love. Her chanting of mantras is filled with hope. During festivals, the entire home seems to come alive, not just with decoration and food, but with a thread that ties everything together. The making of modaks, tying rakhees, and arranging lamps all become opportunities for the family to do something meaningful together. Through these practices, values are passed down.  
 
When children observe their mothers during these rituals, they participate passively. But as we grow older and move away, we begin to understand their significance. Some of us begin to replicate them in our homes, even if it’s a simplified version of what our mothers did. Lighting a lamp in the evening, saying a prayer on a tough day, calling her to ask which grass Ganesha loves. This is how tradition is passed, through live experiences and mothers.  

Modern research also supports what many mothers have already known. Rituals offer predictability, reduce stress, and offer emotional resilience. Children raised in homes with strong family traditions often show better coping skills and a strong sense of identity. And when faith is practiced with warmth, it helps children feel secure and nurtured. Even the simple act of lighting incense can have a calming effect on us. The scent of sandalwood is known to reduce anxiety. Chanting can slow the heart rate and soothe the nervous system. No wonder so many of us associate our mothers with peace. 

A mother’s devotion is not just a personal practice; it is the legacy of a family. These rituals give children roots and help them remember where they come from. As we celebrate Mother’s Day, let us pause for a moment, maybe light a diya, offer a prayer, or prepare a prasad like our mothers make because this is something more than tradition; it is love expressed through faith.