Basics of the Hindu Puja Thali

 

Awakening the Senses

The puja thali contains important items for offering prayers. It is believed to represent five cosmic elements (earth, water, fire, wind, space).

Bell

rung before worship begins to invoke the deities

Diya

denotes dispelling darkness

Incense

to help elevate the spiritual experience

Fresh Flowers

for aesthetics but also marks the completion of puja

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The Significance of Vermilion

 

Energy

Seen as a symbol of feminine energy

Chakra

Third eye is located on the forehead, in between the eyebrows

Focus

Believed to help in elevating concentration levels

Note: Use your right hand’s ring finger when applying a dot (tilak) on the forehead

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The Different Types of Tilaks

Shaivites

• considers Lord Shiva as the supreme power
• The horizontal lines in white symbolise Lord Shiva, while the red dot represents Parvati Devi

Vaishnavites

• considers Lord Vishnu as their key deity
• The white clay lines signify of Vishnu’s footprints; the red line represent Lakshmi Devi

Hare Krishna

• primarily worships Lord Krishna
• the upper part represents Krishna’s footprints, while the lower part symbolizes a tulsi leaf

Swaminarayan

• follows the principles laid by Yogi Swaminarayan
• the tilak symbolizes the lotus feet of the lord, and the vermillion represents the devotee

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The Significance of Rice

Prosperity

Symbolizes fertility and auspiciousness

Samskaras

Used widely in Hindu rite-of-passage ceremonies (eg: birth, marriage)

Note: Apply the uncooked rice on top of the tilak, using your right hand

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Why Do We Make Panchamrut

Each ingredient has a symbolic meaning, as shown below. It is a necessary offering to deities during pujas. It is said to be one of the items that emerged during the Samudra Manthan, or "churning of the ocean of milk."

Note: Devotees can offer substitutes such as sweets, fruits, or dry nuts as prasad

Panchamrit Recipe