Some samagri is offered once and set aside; the vessels and tools of worship are meant to last, cared for and reused across a lifetime of ritual. This section of Avyani's Master Samagri Catalogue gathers thirteen essential vessels and tools, from the Kalash at the centre of the altar to the Havan Kund used in fire rituals.
Unlike flowers or food offerings, the vessels and tools of puja are meant to last — cared for, reused ritual after ritual, and often passed down within a family. Avyani's Master Samagri Catalogue records thirteen items in this category, most preferred in copper, brass or another traditional metal.
The Kalash — Heart of the Altar
The Kalash (कलश), a sacred pot traditionally preferred in copper, is filled with water and topped with mango leaves and a coconut to serve as a seat for the invoked deity — mandatory in most formal worship and central to Ghatasthapana at the start of Navratri, described in our Devi Rituals guide. In many traditions, the Kalash itself is understood to represent the universe, its water standing for the primordial ocean from which creation began. The Kamandalu, a simpler ascetic's water pot, and the Karva, a spouted earthen pot used in vrat observances such as Karva Chauth, serve related but distinct purposes.
Lamp, Bell and Aarti Thali
The Deepak (दीपक), a brass lamp, and the Aarti Thali, the plate on which it is offered in circular motion before the deity, are used in nearly every puja described across our Puja Catalogue. The Ghanti (घंटी), a bell rung to mark key moments of worship and invite auspiciousness, completes the everyday altar set.
Seating and Fire Ritual Tools
A Chowki, a low wooden seat, is used both for the deity's image and, in some traditions, for the person performing the puja. For fire rituals, the Havan Kund and the paired Sruk-Sruva spoon set are dedicated tools reserved specifically for havan — see our Homam, Havan and Yajna guide.
Specialised Items
The Shankh (शंख), a conch shell blown or filled with water for abhishekam, and the Bhiksha Patra, a begging bowl used specifically in the Upanayana samskara — see our Sixteen Samskaras guide — are more occasion-specific items. The Panchpatra-Uddharani set holds and offers sacred water throughout a puja, and the Soop/Daura, a bamboo winnowing basket, appears in various regional and seasonal observances.
Kalash and Utensils at a Glance
| Item | Hindi | English | Mandatory / Optional |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aarti Thali | आरती थाली | Aarti Plate | Mandatory |
| Bhiksha Patra | भिक्षा पात्र | Begging Bowl | Optional |
| Chowki (Wooden Seat) | चौकी/पीढ़ा | Wooden Seat | Mandatory |
| Deepak (Brass Lamp) | दीपक | Brass Lamp | Mandatory |
| Ghanti | घंटी | Puja Bell | Optional |
| Havan Kund | हवन कुंड | Havan Fire Pit | Mandatory |
| Havan Spoon Set (Sruk-Sruva) | स्रुक-स्रुवा | Havan Spoon Set | Mandatory |
| Kalash | कलश | Sacred Pot | Mandatory |
| Kamandalu | कमंडल | Sacred Water Pot | Optional |
| Karva (Earthen Pot) | करवा | Spouted Earthen Pot | Mandatory |
| Panchpatra-Uddharani Set | पंचपात्र-उद्धरणी | Water Vessel Set | Optional |
| Shankh | शंख | Conch Shell | Optional |
| Soop/Daura (Bamboo Winnowing Basket) | सूप/दउरा | Bamboo Winnowing Basket | Mandatory |
See our Caring for Puja Samagri at Home guide for how to clean and store these reusable items.