Santoshi Mata Puja Samagriसंतोषी माता पूजा सामग्री

The puja samagri for the Santoshi Mata Vrat is among the simplest of any Hindu vrat. Almost everything is already in an ordinary home, and the central offering, gud (jaggery) and chana (roasted gram), costs very little. The popular katha itself shows a poor daughter-in-law keeping the vrat with gud and chana worth a small sum, which is why devotees say the Mother looks at devotion, not expense.

Use this checklist before your first Friday, then follow the vrat vidhi for the steps. Items vary a little between families; common substitutes are mentioned below.

For the altar

• Chowki (low wooden stool): a raised, clean seat for the Mother's picture. Any clean raised place in the home shrine will do.
• Red cloth: spread over the chowki. Red is traditionally linked with the goddess and with auspiciousness; orange or yellow is also used in some homes.
• Picture or idol of Santoshi Mata: usually showing her seated on a lotus with four arms, holding a sword, a trishul and a bowl of rice, the fourth hand raised in blessing.
• Asan: a clean mat to sit on during the puja.

For the kalash

• Kalash: a copper, brass or clean steel pot, filled with fresh water. It is believed to hold the presence of the deity during the puja; afterwards its water is sprinkled around the home.
• Small bowl (katori): placed on the mouth of the kalash.
• Gud and chana for the bowl: this filled bowl is the main offering and later becomes the prasad.

For worship

• Diya with ghee and a cotton wick: lit at the start and used for the aarti.
• Incense (agarbatti or dhoop): to purify and scent the puja place.
• Roli or kumkum: for tilak on the picture and the kalash.
• Akshat (unbroken rice): offered with the roli. Use whole grains, not broken ones.
• Red flowers: such as hibiscus or red roses. Any fresh, clean flowers may be used if red ones are not available.
• Puja thali, matchbox and a small lota of water.

For the prasad

• Gud (jaggery): the traditional sweet of this vrat. Use plain jaggery, not a flavoured or sour preparation.
• Chana (roasted gram): often whole black gram roasted, or roasted chana with the husk, as sold for prasad. A little is held in the hand during the katha, and the rest is shared.
• Optional: bananas or a simple sweet. Avoid anything sour.

How to prepare and share it is explained on the gud chana prasad page.

Texts

• The Santoshi Mata Vrat Katha booklet, or the katha on this site
• The aarti "Jai Santoshi Mata, Maiya Jai Santoshi Mata" (see the aarti page)

What not to use

The one strict rule of this vrat is that nothing sour (khatta) is offered, eaten or given on the vrat Friday. Keep these away from the puja and the prasad:

• Lemon, tamarind, raw mango, amla and other sour fruits
• Curd, buttermilk (chhachh) and anything soured with them
• Pickles, chutneys made with tamarind or lemon, and vinegar
• In many homes, tomato and kokum as well (customs vary)

Also avoid using a vessel or plate that still smells of a sour dish, and do not place the prasad near pickle jars. The full list of rules is on the vrat niyam page.

Extra items for the udyapan

On the closing day, in addition to the usual items, you will need:

• Ingredients for a meal for eight boys, with nothing sour: for example kheer, puri, chana sabzi and halwa
• Gifts for the eight boys, such as fruit, clothes or a small useful item (not cash)
• Extra gud and chana for prasad

The method is on the udyapan vidhi page.

Quick checklist

Frequently asked questions