Hindu Society of North America

Tilak & Colours

3 items

Roli (Kumkum)रोली / कुमकुम
Vermilion paste for the auspicious tilak applied to the deity, the kalash, and devotees; it marks the sacred and invokes blessings.
1 pack
Abeerअबीर
Fragrant coloured powder offered to the deity and used in joyful celebration.
1 pack
Gulalगुलाल
Coloured powder offered to the deity as a mark of auspicious celebration.
1 pack

8 items

Rice (Akshat)अक्षत (चावल)
Unbroken rice grains ('akshat', the imperishable), offered to the deity as a symbol of prosperity and wholeness.
Small quantity
Paan Leavesपान
Betel leaves represent freshness and auspiciousness, and form the base on which supari, cloves, and cardamom are offered.
9
Supari (Betel Nut)सुपारी
Placed on the paan; symbolises steadfastness, and often represents the deity invoked within the kalash.
1 pack
Clovesलौंग
Aromatic offering placed with the paan-supari; represents surrender of the senses.
1 pack
Cardamomइलायची
Fragrant offering with the paan; symbolises purity and sweetness of speech.
1 pack
Coconutनारियल
The 'shriphal', placed on the kalash; the offering of the ego to God and a sign of divine fulfilment.
1
Coinsसिक्के
Symbolic dakshina (offering) placed in the worship; 21 for auspicious completeness.
21 (any)
Etra (Attar / Perfume)इत्र
Fragrance offered to please the deity, part of the shodashopachara (sixteen honours of worship).
A little

3 items

Flowersपुष्प
Offered at every stage of worship; symbolise purity, beauty, and the blossoming of devotion.
Any colour
Durva (Doob Grass)दूर्वा
Sacred grass offered in worship; symbol of resilience and unending life.
A few blades
Tulsi Leavesतुलसी
Holy basil, mandatory in the worship of Lord Vishnu. A Satyanarayan offering is incomplete without tulsi, which is also added to the prasad to sanctify it.
A few, or manjari

6 items

Gheeघी
Clarified butter for the lamp and the panchamrit; the pure substance that sustains the sacred flame.
1 small pack
Ganga Jalगंगा जल
Holy water of the Ganga used to purify the space, the materials, and for the abhishek.
1
Milkदूध
First of the panchamrit; offered in the abhishek and used in the sheera, a symbol of nourishment and purity.
1 gallon
Yogurtदही
Panchamrit ingredient; symbol of prosperity and the richness of devotion.
1 pack
Honeyशहद
Panchamrit ingredient; symbol of sweet speech and harmony.
1 small pack
Sugarशक्कर
Panchamrit ingredient; symbol of sweetness and contentment in life.
1 pack

3 items

Fruitsफल
Offered as nature's gift to the Lord. Bananas are the characteristic Satyanarayan fruit and are also mixed into the sheera prasad.
5 types (include bananas)
Sweet (Prasad)मिठाई / प्रसाद
Naivedya offered to Lord Satyanarayan and distributed to all; traditionally sheera or panjiri of sooji, ghee, sugar, milk, and banana.
As needed
Dry Fruitsमेवा
Offered as naivedya and mixed into the prasad; a symbol of abundance.
5 types (any)

2 items

Mauli (Kalava)मौली / कलावा
Sacred red-and-yellow thread tied on the wrist and around the kalash for protection and to bind the sankalpa (vow).
1 pack
Janeo (Sacred Thread)जनेऊ
Sacred thread (yajnopavita) offered to the deity as vastra, representing dvija purity.
5