The procedure of worshipping the Lord in Hindu religion involves use of a number of ingredients and items. The Hindu puja is all about praying to the almighty with the right items so that blessing is showered on the devotee. As Hindus celebrate every auspicious occasion, some items are mandatorily used while some others are occasion specific. Different pooja items, as required depending on the worship, are given here below. This list will help you to get familiar with the popular items used in Hindu Puja.
Puja Thali: Being one of the most important items used in any Puja, the thali undoubtedly plays a key role. The puja thalis are usually copper or silver plated. These circular plates are used to keep the important items that will be used in the course of puja. In some cases, these puja thalis are also used for doing arati. Arati is done when the plate is moved in circular motion over the image of the God or the Goddess.
Holy Water: No matter what kind of puja it is, holy water plays a crucial role. Holi water is used for a number of purposes when it comes to puja. Besides washing the idol, the water is used for abhishek as well. Apart from the water taken from either Ganga or Narmada, different waters like Gomutra, Kewra, Rudraksha water etc. are considered as holy as well. It is one of the most important puja items that you will definitely don’t want to miss.
Sindoor: Sindoor comes in the form of a powder. Once mixed with mustard oil, the powder takes the form of a thick paste which is often used for the purpose of creating tilak. Many men and women wear the sindoor tilak once they are done performing all the rituals. There are a number of alternatives that are being used instead of sindoor. These alternative are sandal powder, haldi, sandalwood powder and so on.
Camphor: Camphor is known for its strong aroma that it releases when burnt. Often used while offering arati to the Lord, Camphor has a special place in Hindu rituals. Available in the form of transparent solid, this item is used for the sake of seeking blessings from the Lord. According to the scriptures, Camphor is used to denounce all the negativity and bring in prosperity in the family. Any pure camphor will complete burn without leaving any trace behind.
Incense Sticks: Fragrances have been being used for puja since ages. It is said that incense sticks release fragrances that spread positivity in the family and surroundings. The smoky fragrance oozing out of the incense sticks made with biotic ingredients is a very common scene in Hindu pujas. Incense sticks are burnt throughout the puja. Many people use the ash of these incense sticks to create tilak on their forehead. You will usually find the incense stick holder on the puja thali. Consider buying incense sticks with pleasing fragrance while shopping pooja items online.
Flowers: Flowers are an indispensable part of the Hindu pujas. Not only flowers offer your mind a little pleasure but also bring prosperity to your home. Some of the most common flowers used in pujas include lotus, mogra and jasmine. It is said that Lord Shiva is satisfied with Datura and the Goddess Kali with Red Hibiscus. So, there are different flowers that are used to please different Gods.
Storage Boxes: You should never forget to get a good storage box while buying pooja samagri. A storage box is used for the purpose of keeping small yet important items such as cotton wicks, bhasma, sacred threads, and so on.
Prasad: Prasad is perhaps the most important element of a Hindu puja. Prasad is basically the food ingredients that you offer to the Lord while worshipping him or her. It is a ritual among Hindus to distribute the prasad upon successful completion of puja.
Apart from all the items mentioned here, there are a diverse range of products and ingredients that are mandatory depending on the deity you are worshipping. However, this list will ensure that you have got everything while arranging a puja. It is always wise to make a list before you go for shopping the puja ingredients.
