Diwali Puja Setup: What Goes on the Chowki and Puja Thali
Place Lakshmi and Ganesh murtis (मूर्तियाँ) or a framed photo on a chowki (चौकी). Cover this low platform with a clean cloth first. Arrange roli, chandan, akshat, flowers and mauli in the puja thali (पूजा थाली).
Set out a food plate, a fresh-water cup and an empty bowl for hand-rinsing water. Leave space to lift and return the Aarti plate (आरती की थाली).
Start the Setup
What Goes on the Chowki?
Spread the cloth flat across the puja chowki. Smooth out cloth folds before placing the murtis on it. Place both murtis away from the edge, with room for offerings in front.
In this example, Ganesh sits on your left as you face the chowki. Lakshmi sits beside Ganesh on your right. Follow the order used in your family puja.
If using a photo, support the frame with a firm stand. Place water cups away from the frame to reduce splashes on the picture. Do not pour water or Panchamrit (पंचामृत) over a printed photo.
If your puja includes bathing a murti, first check that the material can get wet. Place the murti in a tray for bathing, with a soft drying cloth beside it.
What Goes in the Puja Thali?
Use small bowls for powders, paste and rice in the Diwali puja thali. Put a small amount of each material in its own bowl.
Add haldi (हल्दी) and durva (दूर्वा, grass offered to Ganesh) if your puja uses them. If you offer a cloth during puja, fold it beside the thali.
Move packets and spare supplies away from the bowls you will use. Leave enough room to pick up each bowl without knocking another.
Where to Place the Water Cup and Empty Bowl
Place a cup of water for offerings and a spoon within reach. Set an empty bowl beside it to collect water after rinsing your hands.
Use a Panchpatra (पंचपात्र, puja water cup) or a clean cup with a spoon. For Achaman (आचमन, ritual sipping of water), use drinking water from a clean cup. If your puja uses separate cups for different offerings, set those out too.
Some puja methods collect offered water separately as Tirtha (तीर्थ, blessed water). Do not mix that water with hand-rinsing water or water used to clean images.
Keep Every Puja Essential Within Reach
Compare the kit contents with the items already arranged for your Diwali Puja setup.
Home puja essentials
Where to Place the Diya and Dhoop
Aarti Plate
Place the diya (दीया) on a plate or stand made for oil lamps. Use an Aarti plate you can lift without moving other dishes. Leave room to grip the edge of the plate.
Keep the Flame Clear
Position flowers and water bowls so your hand does not pass over the flame. Move cloth, paper, packets and spare cotton away from the lamp. Leave the murtis and any Kalash (कलश, ritual pot) on the chowki during Aarti.
Dhoop Holder
Place dhoop (धूप, incense) in a holder that catches the ash. Place the holder where ash cannot fall on food or puja materials.
Before Lighting
If you reuse the materials thali for Aarti, move the bowls first. Remove loose grains, powders and packaging before placing the lamp on the plate. Check that the lamp sits flat, then light it.
Where to Place Bhog and Drinking Water
Place the Bhog (भोग, food offering) plate in front of the murtis. Set a cup of drinking water beside the food. Cover the food until it is time to offer it.
If you use Panchamrit for bathing, pour that portion into a separate bowl. Do not return liquid from the bathing tray to Panchamrit prepared for serving.
Where to Place a Kalash, Coins and Bahi Khata
For this layout, place the Kalash beside the murtis if your puja includes one. If your family follows a fixed Kalash position, use that position. Use another cup and spoon for water offerings during puja.
Place the coins for puja in a small dish near the murtis. If your family worships a yantra (यंत्र, sacred diagram), place it on a dry surface nearby.
For Chopda Pujan (चोपड़ा पूजन), place Bahi Khata (बही-खाता, account books) beside the chowki. Place the books away from water cups and the lamp.
How to Arrange a Small Puja Space
Use a small chowki or existing mandir (मंदिर) shelf for the murtis or photo. Place the thali and other dishes on a stable table beside it. Choose a table you can reach from your puja seat.
Place the food plate apart from the bowls of roli and chandan. Avoid stacking bowls or plates to make more room.
Sit down and reach for each item before lighting the lamp. Lift and return the Aarti plate to check the space around it. Move any dish that blocks your hand or the plate.
Check the Setup Before Puja
Questions About the Puja Setup
Can I use a steel thali for Diwali puja?
You can use a clean steel thali for this puja setup. If your family uses a particular metal for puja, follow that practice.
Do I need a new chowki every year?
You can reuse an existing chowki or a firm table. Clean the surface and check that it supports the murtis without wobbling.
Can I use one thali for materials and Aarti?
Use the thali for small materials, then empty it before Aarti. Leave murtis, a Kalash and food in place during Aarti.
Can I use a photo instead of murtis?
Yes, you can use a framed photo for home puja. Use a firm stand and do not pour water over the photo.
Is a Kalash needed in every setup?
Include a Kalash if your family puja method uses one. A water cup for offerings has a different purpose from a Kalash.
Diwali Puja Kit
Check the item list in the Satvikly Diwali Puja Kit before ordering. Compare the list with the puja items you already have.
View Diwali Puja Kit
