Dr Venganoor Balakrishnan

It is a common practice of devotees to make offerings and pujas to deities. We usually do this expecting favours and blessings in return. The offerings and pujas vary from temple to temple and place to place.
It is believed that conducting puja for the Bhagavati, the Supreme Goddess, rids one of miseries and possible dangers. Uma Maheswara puja removes all hurdles in the way of getting married. Lakshmi Narayana puja protects the devotee from enemies and miseries. The Usha puja performed at dawn purges one of illness, grants peace of mind and material prosperity.
Likewise, it is believed that covering the idol of the goddess with sandalwood paste gives a person fame and longevity. The same offering to Ganesha and Lord Shiva yields freedom from hurdles and cure from illness.
Ancient texts say that a garland made of crataeva leaves offered to Lord Shiva rids you of your sins of three births. A garland of flowers of different colours is capable of fulfilling your desires. Bursting of crackers as an offering to the deity will restore your lost money or wealth and fulfil your dreams.
The combination of mantras and offerings produces different results including longevity, wellness, fulfilment of ambitions, destruction of enemies, redemption from sins of earlier births, gracefulness, prosperity, birth of children, fame, cure of diseases and good marriage.
Colours of flowers are also to be considered. For instance, offering of yellow flowers will rid one of one’s liabilities. It wins one the blessings of the planet Jupiter as well. Offering of white flowers fetches mind power, that of red lotus prosperity in one’s profession and hibiscus, knowledge and prosperity.
Abhishek or unction is another offering made to please deities.
“Abhi sinchate iti Abhisheka:”
(Since it is drenched at the top, it is Abhisheka:)
Unction of theertha gives the devotee purity of mind. When abhisheka is made with milk, it provides peace of mind; ghee, protection and salvation; fruit juice, recognition and prosperity; honey, beauty of voice.
Tender coconut water, rose water, holy ash and turmeric powder grant royal status as well as children, fame as well as the grace of Goddess Saraswati, wellness, knowledge and prosperity. Gooseberry powder, gold, sugarcane, jaggery, lemon are also used to perform abhisheka.
Oil lamps and ghee lamps that vary in number, the place and direction in which they are kept also help fulfil desires of the devotee who offers them.
“Eeswarasya bhaava: Aiswaryam”
(The air of the Almighty is gracefulness)
Another offering that fetches aiswaryam or Godly grace is nirapara (a filled measuring bowl). The para may be filled with grains, paddy, beaten paddy, jaggery, coconut, flowers, fruits, turmeric, coins etc. Besides grace, it also brings fame, richness, cure of diseases, good alliances etc.
Tulabharam (weighing the offerings in one platter of a balance while the devotee sits on another platter) is another offering observed in Kerala temples.
For certain temples and certain deities any offering will do; irrespective of its kind or quantity the devotee who offers them will be bestowed with grace and his prayers will be heard and desires will get fulfilled.

— Dr Venganoor Balakrishnan is the author of Thaliyola, a book on Hindu beliefs and rituals.
He has also written books on the Vedas and Upanishads. The author can be reached at drvenganoor@yahoo.co.in