21 Patri for Ganesh Chaturthi: Sacred Leaves, Names, Significance & Puja Guide
Ganesh Chaturthi, also known as Vinayaka Chavithi, is a festival celebrated with devotion, faith and family traditions. Lord Ganesha is worshipped as the remover of obstacles, the giver of wisdom and the deity who is traditionally invoked before beginning auspicious activities.
One beautiful tradition associated with Ganesh Chaturthi is 21 Patri Puja, also called Ekavimshati Patra Puja. In this ritual, 21 different types of leaves are respectfully offered to Lord Ganesha while chanting His sacred names.
The use of these leaves makes Ganesh Chaturthi especially meaningful because the worship connects devotion, traditional knowledge and nature. The 21 Patri are not simply decorative leaves. Each has a traditional name and place in the puja sequence. A widely followed Telugu/South Indian tradition includes Machi, Brihati, Bilva, Durva, Datura, Badari, Apamarga, Tulasi, Chuta, Karavira, Vishnukranta, Dadimi, Devadaru, Maruvaka, Sindhuvara, Jaji, Gandaki, Shami, Ashvattha, Arjuna and Arka. (Nit-ya Panchangam)
Because local names and some regional traditions can differ, families should follow the list traditionally used by their family or priest.
What Is 21 Patri Puja?
The word Patri refers to a leaf or plant material used as an offering in worship. During Ganesh Chaturthi, devotees traditionally offer 21 different Patri to Lord Ganesha.
The ritual is called Ekavimshati Patra Puja, where “Ekavimshati” means twenty-one. Each Patri is offered along with a specific name of Lord Ganesha. This creates a beautiful sequence of 21 devotional offerings. (Drik Panchang)
For many Telugu families, collecting and identifying these leaves is an important part of preparing for Vinayaka Chavithi.
The Complete 21 Patri List
1. Machi Patra
Sanskrit: Machi Patra
Telugu: మాచీ పత్రం / మాచిపత్రి
Ganesha Namam: Om Sumukhaya Namah
Machi Patra is traditionally offered as the first leaf in this commonly followed sequence. The plant is known by regional names, so correct identification is important when collecting it for puja.
The offering can be made by chanting:
“Om Sumukhaya Namah, Machi Patram Samarpayami.”
2. Brihati Patra
Sanskrit: Brihati Patra
Telugu: బృహతీ పత్రం / వాకుడు
Ganesha Namam: Om Ganadhipaya Namah
Brihati is another traditional Patra used during Ganesh Puja. It may be less familiar to families living in urban areas, making it one of the leaves that can be difficult to source individually.
3. Bilva Patra
Sanskrit: Bilva Patra
Telugu: బిల్వ పత్రం / మారేడు ఆకు
Ganesha Namam: Om Umaputraya Namah
Bilva is one of the most well-known sacred leaves in Hindu worship. The Bilva leaf is traditionally offered to Lord Ganesha during the 21 Patri Puja.
“Om Umaputraya Namah, Bilva Patram Samarpayami.”
4. Durva Patra
Telugu: దూర్వా / గరిక
Ganesha Namam: Om Gajananaya Namah
Durva, commonly called Garika, is one of the most familiar offerings associated with Lord Ganesha. It is usually offered in small bunches rather than as a single ordinary leaf.
Durva has a particularly prominent place in Ganesh worship and is traditionally considered an important offering to Ganesha. (Drik Panchang)
5. Datura Patra
Sanskrit: Datura Patra
Telugu: దత్తూర పత్రం / ఉమ్మెత్త
Ganesha Namam: Om Harasunave Namah
Datura, known as Ummetta in Telugu, is another distinctive Patra included in the traditional list.
Because Datura is not an edible leaf and some parts of the plant can be toxic, it should be handled only as a puja offering and kept away from children and pets.
6. Badari Patra
Sanskrit: Badari Patra
Telugu: బదరీ పత్రం / రేగు ఆకు
Ganesha Namam: Om Lambodaraya Namah
Badari is traditionally associated with the jujube or Regu plant. It forms part of the 21-leaf offering sequence.
7. Apamarga Patra
Sanskrit: Apamarga Patra
Telugu: అపామార్గ పత్రం / ఉత్తరేణి
Ganesha Namam: Om Guhagrajaya Namah
Apamarga is commonly known as Uttareni in Telugu. It is one of the traditional leaves offered during Vinayaka Chavithi.
8. Tulasi Patra
Sanskrit: Tulasi Patra
Telugu: తులసి పత్రం
Ganesha Namam: Om Gajakarṇaya Namah
Tulasi is one of the most revered plants in Indian Hindu households.
There are traditional differences concerning the regular offering of Tulasi to Lord Ganesha, but some Ganesh Chaturthi traditions include it as part of the 21 Patri offering. Families should follow their own customary practice or the guidance of their priest. (తెలుగు పంచాంగం)
9. Chuta Patra
Sanskrit: Chuta Patra
Telugu: చూత పత్రం / మామిడి ఆకు
Ganesha Namam: Om Ekadantaya Namah
Chuta refers to the mango leaf. Mango leaves are widely associated with auspicious occasions and Hindu rituals.
They are commonly used for decorations, toranas and Falasha arrangements, and they also have a place in this traditional Ganesh Patra sequence.
10. Karavira Patra
Sanskrit: Karavira Patra
Telugu: కరవీర పత్రం / గన్నేరు ఆకు
Ganesha Namam: Om Vikataya Namah
Karavira is commonly associated with the oleander or Ganneru plant.
Since oleander contains toxic compounds, the leaves should never be consumed and should be handled carefully during puja.
11. Vishnukranta Patra
Sanskrit: Vishnukranta Patra
Telugu: విష్ణుక్రాంత పత్రం / విష్ణుకాంత
Ganesha Namam: Om Bhinnadantaya Namah
Vishnukranta is one of the less commonly recognized Patri varieties. Its inclusion demonstrates why collecting all 21 leaves individually can be challenging.
Correct identification is especially important for less familiar plants.
12. Dadimi Patra
Sanskrit: Dadimi Patra
Telugu: దాడిమీ పత్రం / దానిమ్మ ఆకు
Ganesha Namam: Om Vatave Namah
Dadimi refers to the pomegranate plant. Its leaves are included in the traditional 21 Patri list.
13. Devadaru Patra
Sanskrit: Devadaru Patra
Telugu: దేవదారు పత్రం
Ganesha Namam: Om Sarveshwaraya Namah
Devadaru is another distinctive Patra used in Ganesh Puja.
The name Devadaru itself is associated with the traditional sacred tree known in Sanskrit literature. Because the plant is not equally available everywhere, obtaining the correct Patra can be difficult for families in cities.
14. Maruvaka Patra
Sanskrit: Maruvaka Patra
Telugu: మరువక పత్రం / మరువం
Ganesha Namam: Om Phalachandraya Namah
Maruvam is traditionally known for its pleasant fragrance and is used in several Indian cultural practices.
During 21 Patri Puja, it is respectfully offered as one of the prescribed leaves.
15. Sindhuvara Patra
Sanskrit: Sindhuvara Patra
Telugu: సింధువార పత్రం / వావిలి
Ganesha Namam: Om Herambaya Namah
Sindhuvara is commonly associated with the Vavili or Vitex plant in Telugu traditions.
It is another Patra that may not be easily available in ordinary urban markets.
16. Jaji Patra
Sanskrit: Jaji Patra
Telugu: జాజీ పత్రం / జాజి
Ganesha Namam: Om Shurpakarnaya Namah
Jaji is associated with jasmine. Jasmine is well known for its fragrance and its place in Indian devotional and cultural traditions.
The Jaji leaf is included as one of the 21 Patri offerings.
17. Gandaki Patra
Sanskrit: Gandaki Patra
Telugu: గండకీ పత్రం
Ganesha Namam: Om Suragrajaya Namah
Gandaki, also referred to by related regional names in different sources, is one of the less familiar Patri varieties.
Because local plant names can vary, this is one of the leaves for which proper identification according to the family or priest’s prescribed list is particularly important. (Samayam Telugu)
18. Shami Patra
Sanskrit: Shami Patra
Telugu: శమీ పత్రం / జమ్మి ఆకు
Ganesha Namam: Om Ibha Vaktraya Namah
Shami is commonly known as Jammi in Telugu.
The Shami tree has a significant place in Indian religious and cultural traditions and is included among the sacred leaves used in Ganesh worship.
19. Ashvattha Patra
Sanskrit: Ashvattha Patra
Telugu: అశ్వత్థ పత్రం / రావి ఆకు
Ganesha Namam: Om Vinayakaya Namah
Ashvattha refers to the sacred Peepal tree, commonly known as Ravi in Telugu.
The tree has a prominent place in Indian spiritual traditions, and its leaf forms part of this 21 Patri sequence.
20. Arjuna Patra
Sanskrit: Arjuna Patra
Telugu: అర్జున పత్రం / మద్ది ఆకు
Ganesha Namam: Om Surasevitaya Namah
Arjuna Patra is traditionally associated with the Arjuna tree. In Telugu, it is commonly identified with Maddi.
It is another leaf that may not be easily available in every local market.
21. Arka Patra
Sanskrit: Arka Patra
Telugu: అర్క పత్రం / జిల్లేడు ఆకు
Ganesha Namam: Om Kapilaya Namah
Arka is commonly known as Jilledu in Telugu.
It is the final Patra in this commonly followed 21-leaf sequence. Arka has a recognized place in Hindu ritual traditions and is traditionally offered during Ganesh Puja.
Why Are 21 Patri Offered to Lord Ganesha?
The 21 Patri offering is an important part of Ganesh Chaturthi worship in many traditions. Each leaf is offered with a particular name of Lord Ganesha, creating a devotional sequence that honors different aspects of the deity. (Drik Panchang)
The tradition also creates a meaningful connection between worship and the natural world.
Instead of using only flowers and decorative materials, devotees bring different leaves and plants into the puja. This can encourage awareness of traditional plants and their local names.
For families with children, 21 Patri can become a wonderful learning experience. Children can learn to recognize leaves, remember their Telugu names and participate respectfully in the puja.
How to Perform 21 Patri Puja
Before beginning the puja, prepare the Ganesh idol and clean the puja area.
Keep all 21 Patri ready and identify each leaf before starting. Arranging them in order can make the ritual easier.
During the Patra Puja, take one leaf at a time and chant the corresponding Ganesha Namam before offering it.
For example:
“Om Umaputraya Namah
Bilva Patram Samarpayami.”
Then continue with the remaining leaves according to the prescribed sequence.
Each Patri can be respectfully placed at the feet of Lord Ganesha or offered according to your family’s traditional puja method.
After completing the 21 Patri offering, devotees can continue with the remaining Ganesh Puja rituals, naivedyam, harati and the Vinayaka Vrata procedures followed by their family.
Why Is It Difficult to Collect All 21 Patri?
Although the ritual is beautiful, collecting all 21 leaves can be challenging.
Some Patri such as Bilva, Durva, Tulasi and Mango may be relatively easy to find. However, less common varieties such as Machi, Brihati, Vishnukranta, Devadaru and Sindhuvara may not be available at every local shop.
Another challenge is correct identification.
Many plants have different names in Telugu, Sanskrit, Hindi and other regional languages. Some leaves can also look similar, making it important to source them from someone familiar with the traditional Patri list.
For this reason, families often prefer to arrange their 21 Patri before Ganesh Chaturthi rather than searching for every leaf at the last moment.
21 Patri and the Beauty of Indian Tradition
One of the most meaningful aspects of 21 Patri Puja is that it preserves traditional knowledge.
Older generations often knew the names of many plants and could identify them easily. Today, many families live in apartments and cities where children may rarely see these plants in their natural surroundings.
Ganesh Chaturthi offers an opportunity to reconnect with this knowledge.
Parents and grandparents can show children each Patri and explain its traditional name. Children can learn that Machi, Brihati, Bilva, Durva, Datura, Badari, Apamarga, Devadaru, Shami, Arjuna and Arka are not simply words in a puja book but names connected with plants and traditional worship.
In this way, 21 Patri becomes more than a ritual. It becomes a way of passing cultural knowledge from one generation to the next.
21 Patri Is Primarily a Religious Offering
Various traditional and Ayurvedic sources discuss individual plants used in the 21 Patri collection. However, it is important to distinguish traditional plant use from medical treatment.
The purpose of offering Patri during Ganesh Chaturthi is religious and devotional. The leaves should not be presented as cures for diseases or as substitutes for professional medical care.
If you have a health concern, consult a qualified healthcare professional.
Prepare Your 21 Patri Before Ganesh Chaturthi
Ganesh Chaturthi preparation becomes much more peaceful when the puja materials are arranged in advance.
Instead of waiting until the last day to search for individual leaves, devotees can identify the required 21 Patri early and keep them ready for the puja.
A simple checklist can help:
Machi
Brihati
Bilva
Durva
Datura
Badari
Apamarga
Tulasi
Chuta
Karavira
Vishnukranta
Dadimi
Devadaru
Maruvaka
Sindhuvara
Jaji
Gandaki
Shami
Ashvattha
Arjuna
Arka
Having the complete list ready makes it easier to check that no Patra is missed before beginning the puja.
21 Patri Puja is a beautiful Ganesh Chaturthi tradition that brings together devotion, family, culture and nature. Offering 21 different Patri while chanting the sacred names of Lord Ganesha gives devotees a meaningful way to participate in Vinayaka Chavithi worship.
From Machi and Brihati to Bilva, Durva, Datura, Badari, Apamarga, Tulasi, Mango, Karavira, Vishnukranta, Dadimi, Devadaru, Maruvaka, Sindhuvara, Jaji, Gandaki, Shami, Ashvattha, Arjuna and Arka, every Patra has its place in the traditional sequence. (Aaradhya)
As Ganesh Chaturthi approaches, preparing the 21 Patri in advance can make the puja more organized and peaceful. More importantly, it gives families an opportunity to preserve a beautiful tradition and introduce younger generations to the plants, names and customs connected with Ganesh worship.
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Prepare your Patri. Prepare your Puja. Celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi with devotion.