Prepare another plate, 12" or
24" diameter, metallic or wicker and put a variety of fruits
(bananas, apples, oranges, etc.) and a couple of varieties of leaves
and flowers. You will need an aarati plate. This can be a small
plate with a few vertical wicks soaking in oil or ghee or an aarati
receptacle with a few wicks soaking in oil or ghee. You will also
need a small cup of akshata.
Covered
dishes of your favorite prasaadam or sweets may be placed in front
of the altar on the cloth- covered ground. A metallic vessel large
enough to contain a couple of mugs of water should be filled with
water and placed in front of the altar. You will need a smaller
vessel, preferably a metallic straight-walled tumbler into which
water will be poured during the service.
A dispenser (called uddharana or a
simple metallic spoon) to dispense water from the tumbler will be
needed. You will need a piece of cloth, white for a male deity and
colorful cloth for a Goddess.
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