A neatly arranged aarti thali makes puja calm and unhurried, because everything you need is in one place. Here is a complete checklist, followed by simple decoration ideas for festivals.
Essential items
- Thali: brass, copper, silver or steel.
- Diya with a cotton wick and ghee (or sesame oil).
- Matchbox kept just outside the thali.
- Kumkum / roli and haldi for tilak.
- Akshat: whole, unbroken rice, lightly mixed with kumkum.
- Flowers and loose petals; marigold, rose and hibiscus are common.
- Incense: agarbatti or dhoop with a holder.
- Camphor for the final aarti.
- Small kalash or lota with water and a spoon.
- Bell if you do not have one in the mandir.
- Prasad: fruit, mishri, dry fruits or sweets.
Optional items
- Sandalwood paste (chandan)
- Betel leaf and supari
- Moli (sacred red thread)
- Coconut, especially for festivals
- Tulsi leaves for Vishnu and Krishna; bel leaves for Shiva; durva for Ganesha
Festival additions
Diwali: keep coins, a small Shri Yantra and lotus or rose petals for Lakshmi aarti.
Navratri: add red chunri, sindoor, cloves and a coconut for Jai Ambe Gauri.
Janmashtami: butter, mishri and tulsi for Laddu Gopal.
Simple decoration ideas
- Draw a small swastik or Om in the centre with kumkum.
- Make a border of rice grains coloured with haldi and kumkum.
- Arrange petals in a circle around the diya.
- Place the diya at the centre, with kumkum, haldi and akshat in small bowls around it.
Avoid overloading the thali. You need space to hold it comfortably and wave the flame safely. Once it is ready, follow our aarti vidhi guide to complete the puja.
Frequently asked questions
Which metal is best for an aarti thali?
Brass, copper and silver are traditional. Steel is fine for daily use; avoid plastic near the flame.
What should not be kept in the aarti thali?
Avoid broken rice, wilted flowers and anything already used or tasted.