Onam brings Kerala homes alive with flowers, lamps, family meals, and cherished traditions. With Thiruvonam on 26 August 2026, it is the perfect time to prepare your home for the festive spirit and celebrate the tradition of King Mahabali’s homecoming.
If you are handling the shopping or puja setup, this Onam pooja items list will help you plan with ease. From traditional brassware to flowers and prayer essentials, you’ll know what each item means and how to arrange it.
Remember, there is no single shopping list that every family must follow. Onam is a shared cultural celebration, and customs can differ between families and regions. So, use this guide as a helpful starting point and keep the traditions that are meaningful to yours.
Onam Pooja Items List
If you are making a quick shopping list, start with these traditional essentials:
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Brassware: Nilavilakku, Kindi, and Para or Nirapara
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Onam centerpiece: Onathappan or Thrikkakara Appan, as followed by your family
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Prayer essentials: Diya, incense sticks, camphor, cotton wicks, and oil
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Natural elements: Fresh flowers, paddy, and banana leaves
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Decorative pieces: A brass Urli or similar vessel for flowers
You do not need to buy everything on this list. Choose what suits your family's customs, space, and budget.
If you are planning to use brass diyas, lamps, or other brassware for your Onam pooja, learn how to clean brass pooja items at home to keep them looking clean and well-maintained.
Understanding Onam Pooja Samagri & Brass Essentials
1. Nilavilakku: The Traditional Kerala Brass Lamp
A Nilavilakku is one of the most recognizable traditional lamps used in Kerala homes. Its warm flame adds a welcoming touch to the prayer space and is a beautiful part of an Onam setup. A traditional Nilavilakku generally has a base, central pillar, oil reservoir, and wick holders.
What to look for:
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Metal: Brass or bronze
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Wicks: Available in different configurations; a 5-wick or 7-wick lamp can be a practical choice for a home setup
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Design: Choose a sturdy base and a well-finished surface for easier cleaning
If you are adding Onam brass items to your home, choose a Nilavilakku that you can use for years and store easily after the festival. If you are looking for a simple nilavilakku for Onam, you can also explore a traditional brass diya from the Astroyogi Store.
2. Onathappan Idol: A Traditional Centerpiece
The Onathappan idol, also known as Thrikkakara Appan or Mathevar in some traditions, is placed at the center of the Pookkalam (flower carpet at the entrance) in many Kerala households. Its form and significance can vary across regions and families. Traditionally, a pyramid-shaped clay figure is placed on a peetham (small raised platform) over a plantain leaf.
What to look for:
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Material: Handcrafted clay or brass
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Shape: Traditional pyramid-style design
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Size: Choose one that fits comfortably at the center of your Pookkalam
When choosing an Onathappan idol, choose a piece that suits your family's traditions and is easy to handle and store for future celebrations.
3. Brass Kindi: A Traditional Water Vessel
A Brass Kindi is a spouted vessel used to hold and pour water during puja. With its distinctive shape and brass finish, it also adds an aesthetic touch to your celebration.
What to look for:
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Material: Brass with a smooth, durable finish
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Spout: Well-finished and easy to pour from
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Base: Flat and stable enough to sit securely on your puja setup
A good-quality Kindi can be useful beyond the festival too. If your family already has a Kindi passed down through generations, clean it gently and bring it out for Onam instead of buying a new one.
4. Para or Nirapara: A Symbol of Plenty
A Para is a traditional measuring vessel from Kerala that is also used in festive displays. When filled with paddy (unhusked rice) or rice, it represents plenty and prosperity.
What to look for:
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Material: Brass or wood finished with sturdy brass or metal bands for a traditional look
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Size: Available in sizes from around 3 to 11 inches. Choose one that suits your puja space.
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Design: A well-made vessel with enough room for paddy or rice
A smaller Para is a practical choice for an apartment or compact puja area, while a larger Nirapara can create a more prominent traditional display. As part of your Onam Pooja Samagri, place it where the arrangement remains neat and easy to access.
5. Incense Sticks: A Fragrant Part of Prayer
Incense sticks add a pleasant fragrance to your prayer space and can make the atmosphere feel calm and welcoming.
What to look for:
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Fragrance: Sandalwood is a familiar choice for puja, but you can choose any scent that suits your preference
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Holder: Use a stable holder that keeps the incense stick secure and catches the ash for a neat puja space
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Material: Brass, clay, bronze, or stainless steel
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Placement: Keep it in a safe spot away from fabrics and other flammable items
At Astroyogi Store, you can find incense sticks in Mogra, Lavender, Sandalwood, and Indian Lotus fragrances. Mogra and Indian Lotus offer floral scents, while Sandalwood has a warm, familiar aroma. Lavender is a good option if you prefer a lighter, softer fragrance. You can also add camphor to your list to introduce a fresh, pleasant fragrance.
Buy Now: Morga Incense Stick
Buy Now: Lavender Incense Stick
Buy Now: Camphor
6. Brass Urli: A Simple Floral Accent
A brass Urli is a wide, shallow vessel that can add a traditional touch to your Onam setup. You can fill it with water and floating flowers to create a simple and beautiful centerpiece.
What to look for:
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Material: Brass, copper, bronze, clay, stainless steel, ceramic, or glass
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Size: Available from around 4 to 20 inches. Choose one that suits your available space.
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Base: Flat and stable enough to prevent tipping
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Finish: Smooth and easy to clean after use
Astroyogi Tip: Place the Urli near your Pookkalam or in another area where your family gathers. Keep the arrangement simple so it complements the flowers and other traditional décor without making the space feel crowded.
7. Brass Bell: A Familiar Sound During Prayer
A brass bell, or Ghanti, is commonly used during Hindu prayer and Aarti. Its familiar sound can mark the beginning or end of a prayer and add a traditional touch to your Onam setup.
What to look for:
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Material: Brass, bronze, or stainless steel. Brass is a popular choice for a traditional look.
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Size: Around 3 to 6 inches is suitable for most home puja setups
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Handle: Comfortable to hold and easy to ring
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Sound: Clear and pleasant, without being too loud
8. Fresh Flowers, Paddy, and Banana Leaves
Fresh flowers, paddy, and banana leaves bring a natural, warm touch to your Onam setup. Flowers are mainly used for the Pookkalam, while paddy and banana leaves can be included in arrangements or offerings according to your family’s customs.
What to keep ready:
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Flowers: Thumba, tulasi, chethi, hibiscus, marigold, or other fresh, locally available flowers
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Paddy: Fresh or dried paddy for displays
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Banana leaves: Fresh leaves for arrangements or offerings
There is no single flower that you must use. Choose what is fresh, locally available, and meaningful to your family.
How to Arrange Your Onam Pooja Altar?
Once everything is ready, keep the setup simple and uncluttered.
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Clean the space: Choose a clean, uncluttered area and keep all required items ready.
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Make the Pookkalam: Create your floral design at the entrance or another open area your family traditionally uses.
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Place the Onathappan: If your family follows this tradition, place the Onathappan at the center of the Pookkalam on a plantain leaf and a pedestal.
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Arrange the essentials: Place the Nilavilakku or diya, Kindi, Para, incense, camphor, and bell neatly around the main setup.
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Add the offerings: Keep any family-specific offerings ready and place them shortly before the prayer.
Conclusion
Preparing for Onam is about creating a warm, welcoming home filled with meaningful family traditions. Your celebration does not need to be elaborate; simple touches such as a lamp, flowers, prayers, or a traditional arrangement can make the occasion special.
With Onam just around the corner, prepare your home in a way that feels right for your family. Above all, embrace the festive spirit, celebrate togetherness, and cherish the traditions that bring generations closer during this special celebration.
FAQs
1.) Which direction should the Nilavilakku face during Onam pooja?
There is no single Onam-specific direction that applies to every household. If your family follows a particular Vastu or prayer-room practice, follow that custom. Otherwise, place the lamp in a stable, visible location where everyone can pray safely and comfortably.
2.) What flowers are strictly required for the Onam Pookkalam and Pooja?
There is no single flower that every family must use. Traditional Pookkalams may include thumba, tulasi, chethi, hibiscus, marigold, and other locally available flowers. The selection can vary by region and availability, so use fresh flowers that are appropriate for your family's tradition.
3.) Can a steel diya be used for the Onam puja?
Many families traditionally prefer brass or clay diyas for puja because these materials have a long-standing place in ritual practice. However, customs differ between homes. If steel is the only diya available to you, the absence of a brass lamp does not make your Onam incomplete. A simple clay diya is another traditional option.
4.) Can I reuse last year's Onathappan?
A clay Onathappan may be made or installed for the festival, and some families return it to water or earth afterwards according to local custom. A permanent brass idol can generally be cleaned and stored for future celebrations. Since practices vary by region and family, follow the tradition you have grown up with.
5.) When should I order pooja items online for Onam?
Try to order at least a week or 10 days before Thiruvonam, especially if you are buying brass items or several products together. Festival demand can increase close to the date, while monsoon conditions may affect delivery times. For 2026, with Thiruvonam on August 26, ordering earlier gives you time to check everything before the celebration.
