Havan Samagri (also called Homam Samagri or Homa Dravyam) is the mixture of sacred herbs, wood powders, seeds, resins, and aromatic substances offered into the sacred fire (havan kund) during a Vedic fire ritual (havan or homam). A standard havan samagri blend typically contains: dried cow dung powder, ghee, rice, sesame seeds (til), barley (jau), sandalwood powder, guggul (bdellium resin), dried herbs including jatamansi, ashwagandha, shatavari, brahmi, and various other Vedic botanicals. Each ingredient carries specific spiritual and Ayurvedic properties. Giri UK stocks Havan Samagri in 200g, 250g, and 1kg formats, as well as specialist Meenakshi and Homa Diraviyangal varieties.

These three terms are often used interchangeably but have specific connotations. Havan is the North Indian term for a Vedic fire ritual in which oblations (ahuti) are offered into a sacred fire while chanting mantras. Homam is the South Indian (Tamil, Telugu, Kannada) equivalent term for the same practice. Yagna (also Yajna) is the broader Vedic term for any ritual sacrifice or offering — it encompasses both small household fire rituals and grand ceremonial events lasting days or weeks. In everyday usage, havan and homam both refer to the household-scale fire ritual performed for specific blessings, deity propitiation, or auspicious occasions.

A Havan Kund (also Homa Kund) is the sacred fire pit — typically a square copper or brass vessel — into which the oblations are offered during a havan. The pyramid shape is ritually prescribed, as it is said to generate and contain specific energetic fields. For home use, a 13x13 inch copper/brass havan kund (as stocked by Giri UK) is the standard size — large enough for a family puja but manageable indoors with appropriate ventilation or in a garden. Temple-scale kunds are significantly larger. The havan kund should be placed on a sand-filled tray or heat-resistant surface.

Homa Diraviyangal (Tamil for 'homam ingredients') are pre-measured, curated sets of the specific dravyam (substances) required for a particular homam — measured and assembled so the ritual can be performed correctly without sourcing each ingredient individually. The number (108 or 54) refers to the count of individual ahuti (oblations) the set supports — 108 being the sacred number of completeness in Hindu tradition (108 names, 108 beads on a mala), and 54 being the half-cycle. Giri UK stocks both Homa Diraviyangal 108 and 54, as well as pack-of-4 multi-use versions for repeated rituals.

Navagraha Navadhanyam is a set of nine grains (nava = nine, dhanyam = grains), each associated with one of the nine planets (Navagraha) in Vedic astrology. The nine grains are: wheat (Sun), rice (Moon), red lentil (Mars), green gram (Mercury), chickpeas (Jupiter), black sesame (Saturn), horse gram (Rahu), urad dal (Ketu), and white sesame or turmeric rice (Venus). This set is offered during Navagraha Homam — a fire ritual performed to appease the nine planets and reduce the malefic effects of planetary doshas in one's birth chart. Giri UK stocks Navagraha Navadhanyam in 450g and 900g pack-of-4 sets.

Samithu (Samidha in Sanskrit) refers to sacred fire wood sticks — specific species of dried wood used as the primary fuel for the havan fire. Different wood species are associated with different deities and rituals: Arasu (Peepal or Ficus religiosa) is considered sacred to Vishnu and is used in Navagraha and prosperity homams; Vanni (Prosopis cineraria) is used in Shiva rituals; Udumbu (Bengal fig) has specific ritual applications. The wood must be dry, free of insects, and of the correct species for the ritual to be spiritually valid. Giri UK stocks Samithu Arasu and Navagraha Homa Samithu Pack-of-4 sets.

Jatamansi (Nardostachys jatamansi), also known as Spikenard, is a Himalayan herb with a deep, earthy, musky fragrance. It is one of the most valued Ayurvedic and Vedic ritual herbs, known for its calming and purifying properties. In havan samagri, jatamansi is included for its ability to purify the mind, induce meditative states, and carry prayers effectively upward through its fragrant smoke. It is also associated with Shiva in his ascetic aspect. Giri UK stocks Jatamansi (Spikenard) in 100g pack-of-4 sets for ritual use.

Kalasha Dravyam is a sacred mixture of herbs, seeds, and aromatic substances placed inside the ritual water pot (kalasha) during puja and homam. The kalasha — typically a copper or brass pot filled with water and topped with a coconut — represents the cosmic ocean and the presence of the deity. The dravyam placed inside the pot infuses the water with sacred botanical properties, consecrating it into tirtha (holy water). Kalasha sthapana (placing the sacred pot) is performed at the outset of most major Hindu rituals, weddings, and housewarming ceremonies. Giri UK stocks Kalasha Dravyam Powder in 50g and Meenakshi Kalash Diraviyam in pack-of-4.

Nel Pori (puffed paddy rice) is a traditional South Indian ritual offering used in homam and other Vedic fire rituals, particularly in Ganapathi Homam. The light, puffed rice is offered as ahuti into the fire while chanting specific mantras, symbolising abundance and the dissolution of ego in the divine fire. It is also an essential ingredient in Karthigai Deepam offerings in Tamil Nadu. Giri UK stocks Nel Pori in 100g pack-of-4 sets and Nel (raw rice grain) separately in 250g.

Giri UK (giriuk.com) stocks one of the most comprehensive ranges of havan samagri and homam items available in the UK, with over 50 products including ready-mixed Havan Samagri (200g–1kg), Homa Diraviyangal 54 and 108, Navagraha Navadhanyam, Samithu wood sets, Jatamansi, Kalasha Dravyam, Nel Pori, Umi, and a copper Havan Kund. The range covers both North Indian havan and South Indian homam traditions. All products are sourced through Giri Trading Agency Private Limited.