Pooja Items need:

• Turmeric powder packet 1 (small)
• Betel (Paan) leaves (Count 9) and Betel Nuts (Whole) (Count 6)
• Raw/Green Turmeric roots (Count 40)
• Chandan (Sandalwood powder), Bhasmam(Viboothi) & Kumkum
• Small size lime for garlands (Count 21) **Make small lemon garland ahead of puja
• Big size lime for puja (Count 6)
• Aval (flatten rice) & Pori (puffed rice)- both small bags
• Roasted Dalia
• Tender Coconut with shell (you will get it in compare or g-mart) - (Count 2)
• Fruits for Padi and naivedyam - Bananas(2 bunches), Mix of Oranges and Apples (minimum 36 oranges and 36 apples)
• Garland for Ayyappa(1 big for picture (3ft) , 1 small for vigraha(1ft), 1 Ganesha(2ft) and 1 Muruga(2ft)), loose flowers for Archanas & Padi
• Oil for lamp
• Long Lamp Wicks (Count 25)
• Rose water (small)
• Sugarcane (optional)
• Coconut (Count 3)
• Agarpathi (Incense sticks)
• Jaggery - get the cubes
• Dates - medium size box 1
• Tulasi Plant or Leaves (If available)
• Keep smokeless camphor if you have with matchbox or lighter ready
• Keep 3 spare silver or eversilver plates, paper or eversilver bowls that have not been used for eating before ready
• Keep wicks for the oil lamp soaked in oil ready
• Banana Leaf for Puja (1 big leaf if possible from garden, if not you can buy in Compare in south blvd or G-Mart in Independence blvd.)
• Prasad for naivedyam (Note: Please make sure prasadam is made at swamis home and request invitees not to bring food, prasadam made at other swamis house who are taking vratha are fine.) ** No Onions or Garlic in Prasadam please
• Panakam (jaggery water)
• Any type of Sundal
• 2 small oil lamps to be kept in altar
• small cups preferably metal - (Count 4)

Important Notes:

• Ayyappa Idol, Pictures of Lord Ayyappa, Ganesha and Muruga will be brought on the day of Pooja to each Swamis house hosting the Pooja
• Also Pooja Items such as Padi lamps, Aarthi lamps, kuthu vilaku, mani(bell) etc will be brought to each Swamis house
• Holy Padi and altar will be picked by the Swami hosting the Pooja from the Previous Swami who hosted the pooja and we will rotate it likewise
• Before the Idol, pictures of Lords enter the house - Swami should come to the door, show camphor aarthi to the lord and then proceed inside home, so keep it ready
• Choose a spot facing East preferable if not North, facing a window or Door is preferable
• On the day of the pooja clean the floor and move unwanted furniture and other items from that pooja room as needed
• Spread sheets for Devotees to sit - men and women separate sides
• Keep a thick washed cloth for padi (not needed for carpeted floors)
• Swamis who are near and are able to come ahead will help decorating the Padi and other items
• Prepare flower garlands for Lord Ayyapa (1 big - 3ft, 1 small - 1/2 feet) , Ganesh and Muruga (both 1 and 1/2 feet in length) ahead of the puja
• Make the lemon mala out of 21 small sized lemons ahead of puja
• Keep warm water at the door for swamis patham abhishekam