21 Leaves Used for Ganesh Puja in India

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Last Updated: 18.10.2023
Dhruvdeep Singh
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Ganesh Chaturthi is around the corner and preparation for Patri Pujan has started too! Have a look at these 21 Leaves Used for Ganesh Puja in India!

Ganesh Chaturthi calls for the auspicious Ekavimshathi or Patri Pujan. Hindu scriptures describe a special significance of worshipping Ganpati with different leaves while reciting corresponding mantras. Ganpati or Vighnharta eliminates all the obstacles from the devotee’s life and offering these leaves in puja holds a lot of significance. Have a look at the Leaves Used for Ganesh Puja in India!

Check out our article on Parijat leaves benefits here


Leaves Used for Ganesh Puja in India

1. Bermuda Grass (Doob)

Leaves Used for Ganesh Pooja

Botanical Name: Cynodon dactylon

As per the mythology, Ganpati once swallowed a demon and ended up with a burning sensation in the stomach. Hence, some sages offered him a set of doobs to relieve his pain. It is one of the most popular leaves for background ganpati decoration.

2. Khejri (Shami)

Botanical Name: Prosopis cineraria

A true devotee never forgets to offer Shami leaves to Ganpati. According to Hindu scriptures, many Hindu deities reside in this leaf, and offering it with Om Sumukhay Namah chant reduces one’s suffering. If you have a ganesh mandir at home, keep these leaves there.

3. Stone Apple (Bel Patti)

Botanical Name: Aegle Marmelos

Trifoliate leaves are offered to Ganesh and Shiva deities. Offer seven Bel leaves with Umaputrya Namah shloka to impress Ganesha. Bila also treats various ailments, thanks to its therapeutic properties. Keep it around ganpati murti for best display.

4. Datura

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Botanical Name: Datura Metel

Not just the flower, but the leaves are also an essential part of Ganesh puja. Datura leaves are toxic but also effective in treating poisonous bites and arthritis.

5. Screw Pine (Kewada / Ketaki)

Leaves Used for Ganesh Pooja 2

Botanical Name: Pandanus Odorifer

Kewada is an integral part of the set of 21 leaves for Ganesh worshipping. Its fragrant leaves are blue-green in color and appear in a rosette pattern. Keep these leaves around ganesh mandir at home.

6. Arjuna

Botanical Name: Terminalia Arjuna

Offering Arjuna leaves while chanting Om Surasevithaya Namaha gratifies Ganesh. The alternate leaves are also used in Ayurveda and Unani medicines to treat earache and bilious infections.

7. Himalayan Cedar (Devdar)

Botanical Name: Cedrus Deodara

Devdar refers to the Sanskrit word deity, and the tree itself is worshipped as a divine tree. The leaves of this evergreen tree are needle-like and complement in ‘Poojaptri’ ritual. You can also decorate the ganpati murti with it.

8. Rubber Bush (Aak)

Botanical Name: Calotropis Procera

Apart from flowers, the ovate leaves are also offered in worship. Also, the aak roots are made into the Ganesh idol, which is known as Shwetark Ganpati.

9. False Daisy (Bhringaraj)

Leaves Used for Ganesh Pooja 3

Botanical Name: Eclipta Prostrata

Offering Bhringraj with Ghanadishya Namah chanting is auspicious. The lance-shaped leaves are arranged in opposite pairs and considered a boon in Ayurveda for hair loss. If you have a ganpati mandir at home, do keep these leaves there.

10. Oleander (Kaner / Karaveera)

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Botanical Name: Nerium Indicum

Colorful blossoms of oleander impress every deity, but its leaves also hold important significance. Chant Om Vikyata Namah-Karaveera Patram Samarpayami while devoting its leaves.

11. Jujube (Ber)

Botanical Name: Ziziphus Jujuba

Include ummetta or ber leaves in puja to obtain Ganesha’s blessings. Thanks to its umpteen medicinal properties, it is also used to reduce gastric acid and ulcers in Ayurveda.

12. Agati

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Botanical Name: Sesbania Grandiflora

Agati leaves are green and pinnate, and including them in Ganpati Patri puja invites prosperity in one’s life. The leaves also find culinary uses and provide relief in arthritis.

13. Banana (Kele ke Patte)

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Botanical Name: Musa

Banana plantain, famous as ‘Kala Bou,’ is placed on the right side of Ganesh in Bengal. Legends say it is depicted and worshipped as the mother of Ganesh, ‘Durga’. You can also use it for background ganpati decoration.

14. Mango (Chuta / Aam)

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Botanical Name: Mangifera Indica

It is offered to Ganesha with Om Ekdantaya Namah-Chuta Patram Samarpayami chant. Also, the Mandap and Kalash are decorated with mango leaves during the auspicious Hindu functions.

15. Marjoram (Marua)

Botanical Name: Origanum Majorana

Famous for its essential oil, the scented Marua leaves are an important offering to the Lord Ganesha. During Patri pujan, recite ‘Phalachndraaaya Namah’ and offer the leaves. Keep it in the ganpati mandir at your home.

16. Achiote (Sindoor)

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Botanical Name: Bixa Orellana

Sindoor patra is very dear to Siddhivinayak, so a true devotee should offer its leaves with Herambay Namah hymn. Its glossy green leaves are ovate with tapering ends.

17. Vishnukrantha

Leaves Used for Ganesh Pooja 5

Botanical Name: Evolvulus Alsinoides

Since Ashtvinayak is very fond of Vishnukrantha leaves, you can offer its leaves while chanting ‘Om UmaPatray Namah. Its leaves are Lanceolate and covered with silky thin hair.

18. Arabian Jasmine (Mogra)

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Botanical Name: Jasminum Sambac

Apart from its scented flowers, the leaves of jasmine also please Vinayak. So, you can offer it in 21 Patri Puja ritual, or use them in the ganpati mandir.

19. Sacred Fig (Peepal)

Botanical Name: Ficus Religiosa

The heart-shaped leaves of peepal appease Gajanan very much. Offer it with Om Vinayakaya Namah-Ashvattha Patram Samarpayami chant. You can also prepare eco-friendly Ganesha with these leaves. It can also be used for background ganpati decoration.

20. Chaff (Apamarg)

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Botanical Name: Achyranthes Aspera

Ganesh Patra Puja is incomplete without the presence of Chaff leaves. The devotee offers these ovate shaped leaves with Om Guhaagrajaya Namah-Apamarga Patram Samarpayami hymn.

21. Bay Leaf (Tejpatta)

Leaves Used for Ganesh Pooja 6

Botanical Name: Cinnamomum Tamala

Everyone is aware of bay leaf, thanks to its culinary uses as a spice. But, they play a vital role in patri puja also and offered with Chaturhotre Namah chanting around the ganpati mandir.

Note: Although tulsi/basil is the most sacred plant in Hindu, according to the mythology tulsi should not be offered in Patri Pujan.

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