How to offer flowers to God?
How to offer flowers to God?
Fresh, unwilted and uneaten flowers should be offered to God along with their stems. Offer the flowers upside down facing the idol of the deity. Offer the Bael leaf also upside down. The front part of Bael and Durva should be towards you. Do not face the idol. The Tulsi leaf should be with the cluster. But some flowers are considered prohibited for the following gods, the details of which are being presented here-
Shankar - Kevada, Bakuli and Kund flowers are prohibited for Shankarji. Tulsi is also considered prohibited in some states, but there is no scriptural basis for this. Tulsi offered on Shaligram is very dear to Shankarji.
Ganpati - Do not offer Tulsi flowers to Ganpati. But on the day of Ganesh Chaturthi, definitely offer white Tulsi.
Pitras - Red flowers are prohibited on the day of Shraddha for ancestors.
Durga Devi - Offering Durva to Durga Devi is prohibited, however, Durva is considered essential for Chandi Homa.
Vishnu - Bael leaves are not used in Vishnu Puja.
Generally, stale flowers are never offered to the gods. The scriptures have fixed the time for each flower to become stale. Tulsi never becomes stale among them, it is always acceptable. Bael becomes stale after 30 days, Chafa after 9 days, Mogra after 4 days, Oleander after 8 days, Shami after 6 days, Kevada after 4 days and Lotus flowers become stale after 8 days. Bad, rotten, plucked from the top and polluted flowers are considered forbidden. But the flowers and leaves left with the gardener never become stale. Use the index finger and thumb while taking out the Nirmalya for the Lord.
While offering flowers to God, one should use thumb, middle finger and ring finger. Do not use little finger anywhere.
Tulsi is dear to Vishnu, Durva is dear to Ganesh and Bel is dear to Shiva. Do not pluck the leaves of the trees mentioned above on the date and day of a particular God. For example, Durva should not be plucked on Chaturthi, Tulsi on Ekadashi and Bel on Pradosh. If for some reason you have to collect leaves on these days, then pluck them after asking forgiveness from those trees and praying.
