Sri Sri Ma / Thakur / Swamiji PUJA Items Required
Part 1
2. Ma picture should be placed in the middle with Thakur on left (Ma’s right) and Swamiji
on right.
3. Fresh flower garland for Ma. It would be convenient if the picture is
garlanded already.
4. May decorate the picture with sandal paste alankar (Optional)
5. Ganga Jal
6. Incense sticks set up in holder
7. Lighter
8. Flowers
a. 108 rose petals or individual flowers for Ma
b. 11 for Thakur
c. 11 for Swamiji
d. Extra flowers for puja and guests
9. Sandal paste
a. Red sandal (optional)
b. White sandal paste enough for smearing all flowers and for the pictures
4. May decorate the picture with sandal paste alankar (Optional)
5. Ganga Jal
6. Incense sticks set up in holder
7. Lighter
8. Flowers
a. 108 rose petals or individual flowers for Ma
b. 11 for Thakur
c. 11 for Swamiji
d. Extra flowers for puja and guests
9. Sandal paste
a. Red sandal (optional)
b. White sandal paste enough for smearing all flowers and for the pictures
10. Naivedya/food offering
a. 1 Big plate with all main food items arranged with rice in center bowl shaped and all
side items a little on the plate or in small bowls.
b. Desserts separately in a plate/bowl.
c. Preferably (optional) Ma’s naividya placed in a tray.
d. If preferred (optional), separate
offering may be made for Thakur and Swamiji.
e. 1 small plate of cut fruits.
f. Water for Ma in small glasses.
11. 1 Big bowl/vessel or plate for offering the flowers
12. 1 clock for the pujari to note the timings.
13. Aasan (a mat/cushion ) for pujari to sit on. (Use this cushion other time for puja preferably for puja only).
e. 1 small plate of cut fruits.
f. Water for Ma in small glasses.
11. 1 Big bowl/vessel or plate for offering the flowers
12. 1 clock for the pujari to note the timings.
13. Aasan (a mat/cushion ) for pujari to sit on. (Use this cushion other time for puja preferably for puja only).
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For Arati:
1. Incense sticks set up in holder
2. Lighter
3. Pancha Pradip setup with wicks dipped in oil
4. Ghanta (Bell)
5. Chamar
6. 1 Mid size/Big Rose or any flower with long stem. Encircle the stem with aluminum foil
1. Readings from selected books. For
example:
a. Gospel of Holy Mother, , Divine Play of Holy Mother, Sri Sarada Devi,
b. Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna, Sri Ramakrishna and His Divine Play Inspired talks,
c. Reminiscences of Swami Vivekananda by His eastern and western disciples, Talks with
1. Before puja all participants
(Especially hosts and the priest) must take bath in the morning
3. Host's dutites:
i Inform all your guests to maintain silence before and during puja.
ii Set up signs for restroom (direction to get there and on restroom door) so people don’t have
For Arati:
2. Lighter
3. Pancha Pradip setup with wicks dipped in oil
4. Ghanta (Bell)
5. Chamar
6. 1 Mid size/Big Rose or any flower with long stem. Encircle the stem with aluminum foil
for easy holding.
7. 1 new cloth/handkerchief
8. Karpur (Camphor) Pradip (optional)
9. Jal shankha
10. Shankha for blowing
For Devotees:
7. 1 new cloth/handkerchief
8. Karpur (Camphor) Pradip (optional)
9. Jal shankha
10. Shankha for blowing
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For Devotees:
a. Gospel of Holy Mother, , Divine Play of Holy Mother, Sri Sarada Devi,
b. Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna, Sri Ramakrishna and His Divine Play Inspired talks,
c. Reminiscences of Swami Vivekananda by His eastern and western disciples, Talks with
Swami,
d. Thus Spake series. etc.
2. Naam sankirtanam (Ma / Thakur)
3. Bhajan Lyrics keep ready
4. Flowers for offering
5. Harmonium
6. Khanjani
a. The Altar must be setup in North
or North East or East wall i.e., the devotees will be facing
d. Thus Spake series. etc.
2. Naam sankirtanam (Ma / Thakur)
3. Bhajan Lyrics keep ready
4. Flowers for offering
5. Harmonium
6. Khanjani
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Code of Conduct:
Puja Altar Setup:
the N/NE/E
direction.
b. The Altar must be in a big room so
that all devotees can sit together and do the puja all
together.
c. It is ok to put the shrine pictures in this puja altar for this occasion.
d. After Puja the pictures must be returned back into the shrine in its own place.
c. It is ok to put the shrine pictures in this puja altar for this occasion.
d. After Puja the pictures must be returned back into the shrine in its own place.
e. If the puja is not done in the original shrine then the Deity to be worshipped is usually
placed in the Center. For example in Mother's Puja, Ma is at Center, with Thakur on Her
right and Swamiji on Her Left.
f. If the puja is done in the shrine, then usually a separate picture is placed.
Participants:
and wear fresh clothes that
morning before puja. Typically the pujari and host(s) maintain fast
until puja is over.
until puja is over.
2. Maintain Silence:
i. Control your children. If they are quiet, then they can participate in the puja (highly
i. Control your children. If they are quiet, then they can participate in the puja (highly
recommended for creating good samskara). If not, then arrange to
keep them engaged
elsewhere so the puja atmosphere is not disturbed. Don’t
allow them to run around.
ii No talking amongst anybody during
the puja.
iii When preparing for the puja, (Preparing Naivedya, cooking, arranging flowers, getting arati
iii When preparing for the puja, (Preparing Naivedya, cooking, arranging flowers, getting arati
items ready etc)
please chant your mantra (or Om or Jai Sarada Ma or Om Sarada
Devyai
Namah etc.) silently and refrain from talking unless necessary.
3. Host's dutites:
i Inform all your guests to maintain silence before and during puja.
ii Set up signs for restroom (direction to get there and on restroom door) so people don’t have
to ask and
disturb others.
iii Host and hostess must attend puja from beginning to end.
iv Host and hostess must not get up during the puja to welcome late comers.
iii Host and hostess must attend puja from beginning to end.
iv Host and hostess must not get up during the puja to welcome late comers.
v Please keep some cut fruits, cookies etc for children if they get hungry before puja is
complete.
© Nandini Mitra Banerjee
24 Sept, 2018
NOTE: The above set of Do's and Don'ts are the author's understanding over the years as learnt from Revd. Swami Dayatmanandaji Maharaj. If something is not in alignment, its author's misunderstanding of the imparted teaching.
