21 Sacred Leaves Offered to Lord Ganesha

It is a customary practice for Hindus to use various flowers and leaves as offerings for their favourite lord. Interestingly, specific flowers and/or leaves are dedicated to each deity. Only the leaves with the power to absorb a deity principle must be used as an offering to that lord. According to ancient Hindu scriptures, leaves can develop an attraction towards the deity. This will, in turn, aid in the purification of the atmosphere. Leaves are greatly associated with auspiciousness and fertility. The number 21 is significant in Hinduism as it represents the mind, the five elements, the five pranas, the five organs of action, and the five organs of perception.

Lord Ganesha is lovingly known among His devotees as the elephant-headed god and by several other names such as Vinayak, Ganpati, Vigneshwar, and more. The god is believed to be the remover of obstacles and is almost always worshipped before embarking on any venture. Ganesha is also considered to be the god of good fortune, prosperity, and wisdom. 

When the deity is worshipped, 21 types of leaves are offered. The 21 leaves are associated with blessings, worship, and divine favour. When one offers 21 leaves, one surrenders oneself completely to the lord. In other words, this act represents the offering of one’s soul, body, and mind to invoke the deity’s divine blessings and get rid of obstacles in one’s path. Here, we present you a list of 21 different leaves that you can offer Lord Ganesha when you pray to Him or conduct a pooja in His honour to seek His blessings.

1. Durva Patra

These leaves are the most commonly offered leaves to Lord Ganesha and are easily available. They have the maximum ability to attract the Sri Ganpati principle. The ketaki leaves must be tender and should be offered in odd numbers to facilitate the intense penetration of Shakti into the idol. Except for the deity’s face, His entire body is covered with the grass.

2. Bel Patra

Lord Ganesha is said to be very fond of the bel patra and is one of His favourite simple, natural, and sattvic offerings. The deity is also fond of these leaves because they are believed to please His father, Lord Shiva. The purifying nature of bel patra represents devotion, protection, and clarity of mind, which align with the lord’s role of removing obstacles and help devotees to invoke divine blessings.

3. Shami Patra

These leaves are an important offering during Ganpati Visarjan in many parts of the country and help one in increasing one’s wealth. The shami patra has the power to bring inner peace and absorb negative energies. Devotees believe that when they offer these leaves, Lord Ganesha bestows them with honour and longevity. Usually, turmeric is sprayed on the leaves before they are offered to the god.  

4. Bhringraj Patra

These leaves have the power to increase the holiness of the pooja and thereby establish positive energy and a divine connection with the Almighty. When devotees offer them to Lord Ganesha, He bestows them with divine blessings and removes obstacles in their lives. The bhringraj patra also purifies the surroundings and enhances spiritual rejuvenation. 

5. Ber Patra

These leaves are used in Ganesh poojas because of their close association with spiritual growth, prosperity, and protection. They create a positive atmosphere and increase the spiritual importance of the pooja by sanctifying the surroundings, promoting divine blessings, and eliminating obstacles. The ber patra is also an epitome of adaptability and resilience.

6. Datura Patra

These leaves represent protection and strength. Offering them to Lord Ganesha helps the devotee to invoke His divine blessings. Moreover, the datura patra is empowered with the trait of removing negative energies and obstacles in the life of an individual. Like the bel patra, the god likes these leaves because they are used to worship Lord Shiva as well. 

7. Sem Patra

These leaves are usually offered to Lord Ganesha by devotees who want to overcome major obstacles or struggles in their career or business. They are offered in odd numbers and the Vakratundaya Namah mantra is chanted. Moreover, when the sem patra is offered to the Almighty with utmost devotee, the god blesses him/her with career growth.  

8. Apamarga Patra

These leaves are offered to the god to get relief from obstacles and seek His blessings for spiritual purification, thereby cleansing the mind and soul. They are associated with protection from negative energies. The apamarga patra is also related to success.

9. Bhatakataiya Patra

These leaves are among the 21 leaves favoured by Lord Ganesha. Devotees offer the bhatakataiya patra to the deity to be blessed with success and keep various types of hindrances at bay in their lives. The leaves are offered in odd numbers.

10. Tej Patra

These leaves are used as an offering to Lord Ganesha to seek success in their aspirations. They are believed to help in gaining social acceptance as well as fame and respect spiritually. An individual’s devotion and intention are said to be enhanced when the tej patra is offered as a set of seven leaves.  

11. Agastya Patra

These leaves symbolise devotion and prosperity. When the agastya patra are used as an offering, they purify the surroundings. The leaves also attract positive energy towards the individual offering them with a devout mindset.

12. Kaner Patra

These leaves symbolise dedication and courage and are said to purify the surroundings. They are offered to Ganesha to seek His assistance in achieving stability and success in work and life. The kaner patra is often offered as a count of five leaves by those with employment problems.

13. Kadali Patra

These leaves are also listed among Lord Ganesha’s favourite leaves. Devotees believe that when they offer kadali patra to the deity, they will be blessed with good luck and prosperity. The leaves are also associated with positivity.

14. Arka Patra

These leaves are indispensable during Ganesh Chaturti and many other Hindu rituals. Offering the arka patra is said to help devotees be bestowed with the lord’s blessings, protection, and prosperity. They decorate the idol of the deity using a garland made from these leaves.

15. Arjuna Patra

These leaves are used during occasions like Ganesh Chaturti as a representation of the deity’s divine protection and blessings. The arjuna patra epitomises purity and strength and are also used to worship Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu.

16. Deodar Patra

These leaves are believed to improve spiritual energy, invoke divine blessings, and sanctify the surroundings. The deodar patra is offered to Lord Ganesha by worshippers to be blessed with His protection and also inner strength. 

17. Mogra Patra

These leaves represent reverence and purity and assist in ushering the lord’s divine blessings while purifying the place of worship at the same time. The sweet fragrance from the mogra leaves increase an individual’s devotion and remove obstacles in his/her life. 

18. Shankhpushpi Patra

These leaves are believed to aid in spiritual growth and mental clarity. When they are used in a Ganesh pooja, the leaves help in removing obstacles from one’s path. The shankhpushpi leaves also increase the purity of the pooja and render divine blessings.

19. Marua Patra

These leaves promote harmony by increasing the divinity in the surroundings. This will, in turn, help in getting hurdles eliminated. The marua leaves also symbolise peace, purity, and devotion when they are used in any Hindu ritual. 

20. Ketaki Patra

These leaves have a unique fragrance that increases the sanctity of the atmosphere. As a result, when they are offered to Lord Ganesha, they purify the devotees’ minds. The ketaki patra play a key role in the spiritual growth of the worshipper.

21. Peepal Patra

These leaves are offered to Lord Ganesha to seek spiritual growth and be blessed with His divine grace. The peepal patra also helps in attracting positive energy, resulting in increasing the sanctity of one’s worship when one offers these leaves to the deity. 

Hindus believe that Lord Ganesha can be pleased easily by making an offering of His favourite leaves. Each of the 21 leaves mentioned above is associated with a distinct name of Lord Ganesha and hence a specific mantra is chanted when each patra is offered.