Ashta Dravya, or Ashtadravyam, are eight sacred puja items that are offered to Lord Ganesha during the special puja known as Ashta Dravya Maha Ganapathi Homam. It is offered to Lord Ganesh to get his blessings – who blesses with wealth, prosperity and long life. The eight sacred things that are part of the Ashta Dravya are:
- Coconuts,
- Molasses (jaggery),
- Sesame Oil,
- Sugarcane,
- Honey,
- Rice flakes
- Banana
- Rice.
In some places Ashta Dravya are Dried coconut, puffed rice, jaggery, banana (kadali plantain), honey, sesame, sugarcane and fried paddy of rice.
For some communities Ashta Dravya are Coconut, Banana, Honey, Sugarcane, Ghee, Modhaka, Jaggery, Puffed rice.
The concept of Ashta Dravya is of South Indian origin and is more popular with Hindu communities in South India .
Ashta Dravya is also presented to little children, who are new initiates into the world of learning, by the Guru after receiving Gurudakshina (limited to some communities).
Ashta Dravya In Kerala
The eight objects used in Ganapathi Homam in Kerala are Coconut, Jaggery, Honey, Sugarcane, Sweet Appam, Sweet Ada, Black Sesame and Banana.
As per Tantra Ratnam text, the Ashta Dravya are Sugarcane, malarpodi, banana, avil (beaten rice), sesame, modakam, coconut and malar (puffed rice).
Ashta Dravya In Yagna
The eight essential items used in a Yagna or Yagam are also known as Ashta Dravya. The list includes twigs or small branches of Arayal (Peepal), Athi, Palash and Peraal (Banyan tree) and venkaduku, ellu (sasame), payasam (sweet kheer) and ghee.