As much as the glamour and joy around festivals appeal to us, it is important to not overlook their cultural aspect. Surely, the photo sessions and new clothing are what add to the charm but this list looks to explore the other side of the festive coin. Pujas of various types have come to define festivals, be it Diwali or Navratri but what remains in the puja thali or in your temples at home is more or less the same. Keeping that in mind, here is a list of puja essentials that are grandma approved and worth the buy.
8 Puja Essentials That Are #DadiApproved & Belong In Your Home This Festive SZN
Overview
- 1. Get Yourself A Puja Thali
- 2. Use Incense Sticks For Aromatherapy
- 3. You Need Incense Stick Holders For The Agarbattis
- 4. Light Up Your Home With Candle Holders
- 5. White Mandala With Hanging Bell For The Aartis
- 6. Use This Copper Tumbler For Holy Water
- 7. Brass Dhuna For A Wholly Religious Atmosphere
Get Yourself A Puja Thali
This Tilak Thali from Aapno Jaipur is the perfect vessel for your rituals. It is oval shaped and pretty lightweight too. We love the colourful peacock and studded stones which contributes to the glitzy, rich feel of the plate. The best part is that the thali comes with two small katoris for roli and chawal. Nothing quite like getting the royal feels, right? Although the plate is acrylic, the stones can fall off if there's an accident. Be cautious!
Use Incense Sticks For Aromatherapy
Incense sticks spread aromas and also a kind of warmth that is comforting and... holy? We love this set from Amogha because of their exquisite fragrances on offer. These are made from essential oils which aren’t just good for the festivities but also help in relieving stress and anxiety. With aromas this good, you will want to light these even on non-festive days or for your meditation.
LBB Tip: You also get a mirror-work incense holder with this pack, wuhu!
You Need Incense Stick Holders For The Agarbattis
There has to be a holder for the aforementioned incense sticks in case the complimentary one doesn't sail your boat. We like this interestingly-shaped brass one from Nakshikathaa. Don’t worry about hot ash spillage as the surface of this holder will collect it all. Besides, the wide base will ensure you don’t burn your hand taking them around for, or after aartis. As it is made from brass, it will be quite sturdy too. Simple yet rich, can’t get any better now, can it?
Light Up Your Home With Candle Holders
Call it the spiritual flame or whatever, a diya is an absolute puja essential and not just for Diwali. We like how it’s almost customary (big thanks to Bollywood) for having a diya in most puja thalis and Indian festivities. This lotus shaped diya (which is most definitely a candle holder) from Amaya Decors won us over not just because of its carved surface but also because it reflects off the flame's light. We will add here that cleaning these might get tricky as you'll have to wash between the grooves.
White Mandala With Hanging Bell For The Aartis
Holding brass bells and ringing them throughout the aartis are a thing of the past. Now, you can attach one of these wall hangings near the mandir area and it does the job for you. This comes with a ceramic bell and macrame knots. All you need to do is switch on the fan or have them hung in your balcony as the wind does its job. Brownie points for the fact that these are good to use even as normal wall decor after the festivities have ended.
Use This Copper Tumbler For Holy Water
Since we're covering all parts of a puja which involves the end when you’ve to drink holy water from a copper container - check out these linear tumblers from Coppre which are simple without any fancy ornamentation and are also small in size (not more than 4 inches overall). Made from 99% pure copper, this is a good addition to have especially if you want to keep the pujas simple. Needless to say, these are easy to wash and maintain.
Brass Dhuna For A Wholly Religious Atmosphere
This brass dhuna will transform your home into a spiritual abode once used. The dhuna is made from brass and isn't too fancy in terms of design with just the and is simple to carry around due its compact size . Add hot coal along with the fumer and let the fragrant smoke cover the atmosphere. You can clean the dhuna with ease by using a soft damp cloth to wipe its surface.
Brass Bowls For Prasaad
Many, including me, look forward to pujas only so that we can savour the prasad that is distributed right after the puja. For such people, there is this Utsav Brass Nut Bowl from Nakshikathaa. We love the artsy lid it comes with which makes it easy to keep the sweet offerings warm. The handcrafted brass bowl is no more than 115g and 3.5inch in diameter, breadth and 2inch in height making this as small as a katori. You can easily wash this with hand.
Pro Tip
Want to add more brass elements to your home? Check out our list here.