Which flower for which god?
Bel patra for Shiva, tulsi for Vishnu, durva for Ganesha, lotus for Lakshmi… Test yourself in the quiz, then explore every deity’s puja thali.
Do you know? The puja flower quiz
The puja thali of each deity
Lord Shiva
Om Namah Shivaya
- Day
- Monday
Ketaki (Kewda): barred by Shiva after Ketaki lied for Brahma.
Tulsi (holy basil): by tradition tulsi is reserved for Vishnu and not offered on the Shivling.
Offer bel patra with water or milk abhishek, chanting “Om Namah Shivaya”, especially on Mondays and in Shravan.
Tap a flower to see whom it pleases
Bel patra (Bilva leaf)
Offered to:
Its three leaflets are linked with Shiva’s three eyes, the trident and the three gunas. It is offered with the smooth side touching the Shivling, and a bel patra is considered never stale, so a washed leaf can be offered again.
How to offer flowers the right way
Offer fresh flowers, picked after bathing and never smelled before offering; the fragrance is for the deity.
Do not offer flowers that have fallen on the ground (parijat is the exception), wilted, or bought already used.
Offer with the right hand, flower facing the deity, held between the thumb, middle and ring fingers.
Bel patra and tulsi are offered as leaves; check that the leaflets are whole and unbroken.
Pluck flowers in the morning. Tulsi is not plucked on Sundays, Ekadashi or after sunset.
Old flowers are not thrown in the bin: put them in a plant pot, compost or flowing water.
Why flowers matter in puja
In the sixteen-step shodashopachara puja, offering flowers (pushpa) is one of the central acts of devotion. Each deity is associated with particular flowers and leaves through scripture, story and colour: Shiva the ascetic accepts wild bel patra, dhatura and aak; Vishnu and his avatars are never worshipped without tulsi; the goddess in her fierce forms loves red hibiscus; and Lakshmi and Saraswati sit on lotuses. These are traditional beliefs that vary between regions and families, so follow your family custom where it differs.
Flowers by day of the week
| Day | Deity | Flowers |
|---|---|---|
| Sunday | Surya (Sun god) | Red kaner (Oleander), Red hibiscus (Gudhal / Jaba) and Lotus (Kamal) |
| Monday | Lord Shiva | Bel patra (Bilva leaf), Dhatura and Aak (Madar) flower |
| Tuesday | Lord Hanuman | Jasmine (Chameli), Marigold (Genda) and Tulsi (holy basil) |
| Wednesday | Lord Ganesha | Durva grass, Red hibiscus (Gudhal / Jaba) and Shami leaves |
| Thursday | Lord Vishnu | Tulsi (holy basil), Lotus (Kamal), Parijat (Harsingar) and Marigold (Genda) |
| Friday | Goddess Lakshmi | Lotus (Kamal), Marigold (Genda) and Parijat (Harsingar) |
| Saturday | Shani Dev | Aparajita (butterfly pea) and Shami leaves |
Frequently asked questions
Which flower is offered to Lord Shiva?
Bel patra (bilva leaves), dhatura and aak (madar) flowers are Shiva’s traditional favourites, along with white flowers. Ketaki and tulsi are traditionally not offered to him.
Why is tulsi not offered to Ganesha?
According to the Puranic story, Tulsi wished to marry Ganesha; when he declined, they cursed each other, so tulsi is kept out of Ganesha’s worship (except, in some traditions, on Ganesh Chaturthi).
Which flower does Goddess Lakshmi like?
The lotus, especially a red or pink one, is most dear to Lakshmi. Marigold garlands and parijat are also offered, especially on Fridays and Diwali.
Can flowers that fell on the ground be offered?
Traditionally no, with one exception: parijat (harsingar), which falls naturally at dawn, may be gathered from the ground.
Which flowers are offered to Hanuman?
Hanuman is offered sindoor with chameli (jasmine) oil, red flowers, marigold garlands and a tulsi garland, especially on Tuesdays and Saturdays.