Ayyappa Puja in Varanasi

Ayyappa Puja samagri list

• Image of Lord Ayyappa
• Shrine with eighteen steps for Padi Puja
• Black or blue cloth as per custom
• Flowers and garlands
• Oil or ghee lamps for each step
• Sandalwood, vibhuti, kumkum and akshat
• Coconuts, including ghee filled coconuts for Irumudi where relevant
• Fruits and sweets for prasadam
• Camphor and incense

The Pandit confirms the final list for your family's vidhi, and Pandit ji can arrange the samagri in Varanasi at an additional cost, agreed after discussion.

Ayyappa Puja vidhi, step by step

1. 1Setting up the shrine. An image of Lord Ayyappa is placed at the top of a shrine, often with eighteen steps decorated with flowers and lamps for Padi Puja.
2. 2Ganesh Pujan and sankalpam. The puja begins with Ganesh Pujan and a sankalpam for the devotees and families taking part.
3. 3Abhishekam and alankaram. Abhishekam is performed where the tradition allows, followed by alankaram with flowers and sandalwood.
4. 4Padi Puja. Lamps are lit on each of the eighteen steps, one by one, with prayers and chanting of Swamiye Saranam Ayyappa.
5. 5Bhajans and archana. Devotees sing Ayyappa bhajans and archana is performed with his names.
6. 6Harati and prasadam. The puja concludes with harati and distribution of prasadam such as aravana or other sweets.