Fresh Lotus Flowers for Pooja

The lotus holds a special place in Indian culture. It rises clean and beautiful from muddy water, and for that reason it has long stood for purity, beauty and spiritual awakening. It is the national flower of India, the seat of several deities in Hindu art, and a much-loved offering in home and temple pooja. This guide explains how lotus is used, how to choose and handle it, and how to order it from Spice Town Flowers.

The lotus in Hindu tradition

  • Goddess Lakshmi is shown seated on a lotus and holding lotuses, and lotus is a favorite offering in Lakshmi pooja, on Fridays, during Varalakshmi Vratham and on Diwali.
  • Goddess Saraswati is often shown on a white lotus, and lotus is offered to her during Navaratri and Saraswati Pooja.
  • Lord Vishnu is described as lotus-eyed, and Lord Brahma is shown seated on a lotus that rises from Vishnu's navel.

The lotus is also called thamarai in Tamil, kamal or kamala in Hindi and Sanskrit, padma in Sanskrit, and tamara in Telugu and Malayalam.

How lotus is used

  • As a single offering placed at the feet of the deity or in front of a picture.
  • In a bowl of water on the altar or at the entrance, where it looks beautiful as it opens.
  • Petals for archana, offered one by one with prayers.
  • In festival decoration, alongside rangoli, diyas and marigold.

Our lotus is sold as a single flower. Browse loose flowers and lotus.

What to expect from a cut lotus

Lotus is often sold as a bud or a partly open flower. In nature, the flower opens in the morning and closes again in the afternoon over a few days. A cut lotus is more delicate than most flowers:

  • Color varies naturally, from white to deep pink, and from batch to batch.
  • The bud may open slowly, or may stay mostly closed. That's normal for a cut lotus.
  • The petals bruise easily, so handle them gently and avoid stacking anything on top.
  • Plan to offer your lotus within a day or two of pickup.

Helping a lotus open

Many families gently open a lotus by hand before pooja. If you'd like to try:

  1. Hold the flower by the base of the bloom, not the stem.
  2. Starting with the outermost petals, fold each one gently outward and down, close to the base. Work slowly around the flower.
  3. Move inward one layer at a time, folding each petal a little less, until you reach the shape you like. Leave the center petals closed around the seed pod.

Go slowly: lotus petals crease and tear easily. Opened petals will brown sooner than closed ones, so open the flower close to the time of your pooja.

Keeping lotus at home

  • Keep the stem in water. Trim a little off the stem with a sharp knife and put it in a narrow vase or tall glass of cool water.
  • Choose a cool spot. Keep it out of direct sun and away from heaters and appliances.
  • Mist the petals lightly if the room is warm or dry.
  • For a short-stemmed lotus, float it in a wide bowl of water.
  • Avoid long refrigeration. Lotus prefers a cool room to a cold fridge, which can darken the petals.

More tips are in our flower care guide.

Pairing lotus with other offerings

For a Lakshmi pooja, families often combine lotus with a jasmine or mullai string, betel leaves and a kalasam with mango leaves. For a fuller altar, add a small garland or loose roses. You'll find these in flower strings and leaves and pooja essentials. During festival season, check the Varalakshmi Vratham and Diwali collections.

Ordering lotus for festivals

Lotus is in high demand before Varalakshmi Vratham, Navaratri and Diwali. Order early and choose a pickup date close to your pooja. If you need many lotuses for a temple or community event, please use the bulk and temple order form at least a week ahead.

Order lotus in Vernon, CT

Add lotus to your cart, choose a pickup date and collect it at Spice Town, 378 Kelly Rd, Vernon, CT. Questions? Call 860-237-4280.