The core list
- Idols or framed images of your family deities.
- Chowki or raised platform so idols are not on the floor.
- Altar cloth in red, yellow or another auspicious colour.
- Diya for daily aarti and an akhand diya for continuous lighting during festivals.
- Incense (agarbatti) and dhoop stand.
- Kapoor dani for burning camphor during aarti.
- Bell (ghanti) to begin worship.
- Aarti thali to hold the diya, flowers, kumkum and rice.
- Kalash with water, mango leaves and a coconut for special pujas.
- Small bowls for kumkum, haldi, chandan and akshat (rice).
Helpful extras
- A water vessel (lota) and spoon (achamani) for offerings.
- A conch (shankh), if your tradition uses it.
- A jhula for Laddu Gopal, if you worship Bal Krishna; see our white metal Krishna jhula.
- A small storage box for matchsticks, cotton wicks and spare incense.
- A cleaning cloth kept only for the mandir.
Brass or white metal: which to choose?
| Brass | White metal | |
|---|---|---|
| Look | Warm golden | Bright silver-toned |
| Care | Polish occasionally with lemon and salt or a brass powder | Dry dusting; avoid polish and water |
| Best for | Diyas, bells, idols, kalash | Kapoor dani, jhula, decorative idols and vases |
Many homes mix both. Read more in white metal vs silver vs German silver.
What to buy first if you are just starting
If you are setting up a mandir for the first time, start with one idol (often Lord Ganesha), a diya, an incense stand and a kapoor dani. Add the rest gradually, especially before a festival. Our pooja room decoration ideas can help with the layout.
A one-shelf mandir: what fits
If space is tight, a single shelf can still hold a complete mandir. Arrange from back to front: the idol on a small chowki at the back centre, a diya to its right and an incense stand to its left, a kapoor dani and a small bowl of kumkum and rice in front, and a bell at the side. Keep a drawer or box below for matchsticks, wicks and spare incense so the shelf stays clean. Once a week, clear everything, wipe the shelf, change the cloth and put things back in the same order. A consistent layout makes daily worship quicker and calmer.
Pooja essentials from Ethenic Handicrafts
Browse our brass akhand jyoti diya, white metal kapoor dani, white metal diya and the full brass collection. Every Ethenic Handicrafts order ships free across India.
