Guide to Puja Ingredients

Puja is a Hindu ritual performed daily to show devotion to God. There are different ways of performing Puja, but a common ritual involves water, fragrance, red thread, foods, oils, and other items. These can all be confusing for a beginner or non-Puja practitioner.

Gangajal is holy water from the Ganga river located in India. In the Agni-Purana, water from the ganga is said to cause a place to become sacred, cleanse it from all evils, and above all it is to be considered sacred.

Gomutra is cow's urine. Gomutra is said to have medical properties. It cures infection, oedema, abdominal diseases, flatulence, colic pain, anorexia, and obstinate skin diseases including leprosy. In Hinduism, Gomutra is considered holy and offered at Puja or sprayed around the home.

Itra is a perfume. It is offered to the deity in Puja. There are many scents like sandalwood, natural roots, jasmine, and others.

Honey is known to everyone. Honey is placed on the offering plate during Puja. It is believed the Gods love sweet items.

Incense is another common item used during worship. It prepares the mind and atmosphere for relaxation and concentration. Dhoop is an extremely powerful incense used in Puja. The smell can be described walking through a wildflower garden at the peak of their blooming. Dhoops are mixtures of herbal, resin, and essential oils that are either worked into a tar like roll, or just mixed together.

Haldi is also known as turmeric. Turmeric is said to have many medical benefits. Haldi is anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and studies are being done for the treatment of pancreatic cancer, multiple myeloma, Alzheimer's, and colorectal cancer. This wonder herb is offered to the Gods.

Kumkum is dried turmeric mixed with lime. It is an auspicious symbol applied between the eyebrows to express the third-eye. The shape of the talik, or kumkum, is dependent on which tradition one follows. Saivites draw horizontal lines across the forehead. Vaishnavas two vertical lines or a "U" shape. Ganapatya use red sandal paste "dot." Shaktas use kumkuma to draw one vertical line or dot.

Abir is a colorful powder. Shades of abir include yellow, red, green, violet, purple, and blue. These are from flowers such as aparajita, marigold, hibiscus and dopati. During the Holi festival abir is thrown at each other creating the "festival of color."

Gulal is also thrown at the Holi festival. The festival is to show great joy of the arrival of Spring. Winter is cold and depressing, so break out the colors of spring and some fun! Throw some abir and gulal at your friends this Spring!

Gopi chandan is a yellow colored clay used to place a tilak. The many items used to place a talik on the deity, and yourself, are haldi, kumkum, abir, gulal, gopi chandan, sandal paste, and few rice grains. The reasons for wearing a tilak, or bindi, vary from religious, fashion, or to sigify married.

Ghee is burnt in the ritual of Aarti. Ghee is also used for bathing idols during worship. Ghee is a class of clarified butter and even has it's own hymn. It is believed to be the very root of sacrifice by Bhishma.

Diya is a candle. Diya is clay, with a wick made form cotton, that's dipped into ghee or other oils. The festival Diwali is when huge numbers of diya are lit. Cotton is used because it's pure.

Moli is sacred thread. Moli is tied around the wrist after Puja to symbolize devotion to God and to promise to perform Puja. Moli is usually red.

Deity offerings usually consist of dry fruits, candy, sugar, clove, and other items. Supari, or Betel nut is offered and can be chewed on as a mildly euphoric stimulant. Chewing it increases the capacity to work, causes a hot sensation in the body, a heightened alertness, and sweating. Ilaichi, or Cardamom, is also used during Puja.

A red cloth is usually available for the deity. Materials may vary depending on which tradition one follows. A simple Puja may be done alone or an elaborate family Puja can take place. Puja is a personal time with God.