Puja gifts

September 26, 2005 1:55 PM

What should I do/bring for a Narayan Puja?

I'm a vaguely ex-Christian agnositc, invited to a Hindu Narayan Puja in honor of my best friend's new home.

She's said not to bring meat or alcohol (which is an obvious one for a Hindu religious ceremony), but what can I bring? I think asking her what I can bring takes some of the thoughtfulness out of it, and I think she'll just say, "Just show up!"

I want to be thoughful, generous and find something appropriate, but my Google-fu has totally failed me. Any experiences? Suggestions? Insight?

posted by Gucky to religion & philosophy (9 comments total)

In general, you don't need to bring anything for a puja. But if you want to bring something then fruits, indian sweets (or sweets of anykind - without eggs though) should work. She can offer that as prasad as well.
posted by rsinha at 2:07 PM on September 26, 2005

I'll echo the fruits/vegetarian sweets suggestion. You may also want to take flowers; not a bouquet per se, but a pot of white mums would be both attractive and useful (most puja involve flowers, and it's hard to go wrong with white or yellow ones).

It's also a housewarming event, so housewarming-appropriate gifts may also be a good idea.
posted by heeeraldo at 2:30 PM on September 26, 2005

I'll second the flowers and/or house-warming gift. And suggest you don't wear black, although that's getting pretty picky.
posted by Specklet at 2:40 PM on September 26, 2005

Flowers and fruits seem to be the standard things guests bring to pujas. I've plucked flowers from my back yard and taken them in a small basket - this seems to make it easier for them to be distributed to individual guests during/after the ceremony. The same concept applies to fruits - while anything you bring will likely be appreciated, fruits like bananas, grapes, apples, oranges, kiwis, etc. are easier to distribute to individuals than large melons, for example. It might be considered considerate to offer your help in getting some of the items commonly used - coconuts, certain kinds of leaves - but that's probably not necessary.
posted by PY at 3:23 PM on September 26, 2005

With respect to what to do...if you've been to other pujas before you already know this, but just in case - wear something that won't prevent you from sitting comfortably on the ground. Your friend may make different arrangements, but it is common for people to be seated that way during the puja.
posted by PY at 3:36 PM on September 26, 2005

You're not really expected to bring anything, if I remember correctly from my Hindu childhood. Flowers can't hurt, I suppose. I'll call my mother and ask her if you want. The parents are both devout Hindus.
posted by madman at 4:23 PM on September 26, 2005

And suggest you don't wear black

Actually, wearing black really isn't all that big a deal. If you really want to knock their socks off, find a friend to lend you a sari (though, realistically, that's asking a whole lot).

Just make sure you wear shoes that come off easily (as they will be removed before entrance into the ceremonial room, if not the entire house) and bring a sampling of bananas, pears, apples, and oranges. If you choose flowers, daisies and mums are two of the most popular flowers that are put on the idols as garlands.

Enjoy yourself; you're about to watch a ceremony that is rarely seen by the Western world.
posted by SeizeTheDay at 5:43 PM on September 26, 2005

Gift card from Pier One (or similiar) is best.
posted by vjz at 11:10 PM on September 26, 2005

If you can, wear a sari. They are the most beautiful attire in the world. I've been dying for a chance to make that comment somewhere. Thank you all Indian ladies who wear them. (In a most aesthetic way, since I'm gay).
posted by Goofyy at 11:14 PM on September 26, 2005