The 21 Patri (Ekavimshati Patra): Identification Guide with Regional Names

The Ekavimshati Patra Puja — the offering of twenty-one leaves — is the heart of Vinayaka Chavithi in the Telugu, Kannada and much of the South Indian tradition. Each leaf is offered to Ganesha with one of his names. This guide identifies every leaf by its Sanskrit name, common regional names (Telugu / Hindi / English), and a short description, so you can actually source and recognise them.

The 21 leaves (Ekavimshati Patra)

1. Māchī patram — machi patri; a fragrant herb used in worship.
2. Bṛhatī patram — vākudu (Te) / choṭī kaṭeri; yellow-berried nightshade.
3. Bilva patram — maredu (Te) / bael; the wood-apple leaf, also dear to Shiva.
4. Dūrvā (durvāyugmam) — garika (Te) / dūb; Bermuda / bahama grass, offered in pairs — the most prized offering of all.
5. Dattūra patram — ummetta (Te) / dhatūra; thorn-apple (handle with care — the plant is toxic; only the leaf is offered).
6. Badarī patram — regu (Te) / ber; the jujube leaf.
7. Apāmārga patram — uttareni (Te) / chirchiṭā; prickly chaff-flower.
8. Tulasī patram — tulsi / holy basil — the one recognised exception in Ganesha worship (see the note below).
9. Cūta patram — māmiḍi (Te) / aam; the mango leaf.
10. Karavīra patram — ganneru (Te) / kaner; oleander (also toxic — leaf only).
11. Viṣṇukrānta patram — vishnukranta; the blue Clitoria / Evolvulus.
12. Dāḍimī patram — dānimma (Te) / anaar; pomegranate leaf.
13. Devadāru patram — devadaru; Himalayan cedar.
14. Maruvaka patram — maruvamu (Te) / marwā; sweet marjoram.
15. Sindhuvāra patram — vāvili (Te) / nirgundi; the five-leaved chaste tree.
16. Jājī patram — jāji (Te) / chameli; jasmine.
17. Gaṇḍakī patram — devakanchanamu (Te); gandali.
18. Śamī patram — jammi (Te) / shami / khejri; the sacred shami leaf.
19. Aśvattha patram — ravi (Te) / peepal; the sacred fig.
20. Arjuna patram — maddi (Te); the arjuna tree leaf.
21. Arka patram — jilledu (Te) / aak / madar; calotropis.

On tulsi — the question everyone asks

Tulsi is ordinarily never offered to Ganesha, following the legend of Tulsi’s curse. The Ekavimshati Patra Puja is the single recognised exception — one tulsi leaf, on this one day, in this one sequence. Some family traditions still omit it and substitute another leaf. Both practices are followed by observant households; do what your family does.

If you cannot find all 21

This is the reality for most urban and diaspora families. Offer whatever leaves you can find and complete the count with dūrvā grass — the offering held dearest of all. Intent completes what availability cannot. Offer each leaf with a name of Ganesha, or simply with "Om Gaṁ Gaṇapataye Namaḥ".

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the 21 patri offered to Ganesha?

Machi, Brihati, Bilva, Durva, Dattura, Badari, Apamarga, Tulasi, Chuta (mango), Karavira (oleander), Vishnukranta, Dadimi (pomegranate), Devadaru, Maruvaka, Sindhuvara, Jaji (jasmine), Gandaki, Shami, Ashwattha (peepal), Arjuna and Arka (calotropis).

Can tulsi be offered to Ganesha?

Not on ordinary days. The 21-patri sequence on Ganesh Chaturthi is the one recognised exception, and even that varies by family.

What if I can’t get all 21 leaves?

Offer what you can and complete the count with durva grass — the most prized offering.

Explore the Ganesh Chaturthi 2026 Complete Guide

This page is part of Hindutone’s Ganesh Chaturthi 2026 cluster:

• Complete Ganesh Chaturthi 2026 guide (hub)
• Ganesh Sthapana: setup at home
• Vinayaka Vrata Vidhanam (full puja)
• Ganesh Visarjan mantra
• Ganesh Chaturthi wishes & quotes