For daily pooja, japa and meditation, a kusha grass aasan is the traditional first choice, and a woollen aasan is the classic alternative for long sittings. Cotton works well for everyday use, while velvet and silk are mostly used as the cloth your deity sits on rather than as a seat for you. The right aasan comes down to three things: what you use it for, what it is made of, and its size.
This guide compares the main materials, clears up the difference between an aasan and an aasan cloth, and covers colours, sizes, the rules most families follow and how to care for an aasan in a UAE home.
First, two different things: your aasan and the deity's aasan
The word aasan is used for two separate things in a home mandir, and mixing them up is the most common buying mistake.
Your aasan is the mat you sit on for pooja, path, japa or meditation. It needs to be firm, comfortable and kept only for prayer.
The deity's aasan is the cloth spread on the chowki or in the mandir for the murti or picture to rest on. This is where velvet, silk and bright cotton cloths belong, often with a woven border. A small lotus-shaped kamal aasan does the same job for a single idol. You would not sit on these, and you would not place the Devi on your own seat.
Pooja aasan materials compared
| Material | Feels like | Best for | Care |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kusha grass | Firm, natural, slightly springy | Japa, meditation, path, shraddha, havan | Keep dry, store flat or loosely rolled |
| Wool (kambal) | Warm and cushioned | Long japa and sadhana, older knees | Air it often, fold with care |
| Cotton or khadi | Soft, light | Everyday pooja, children, travel | Hand wash, dry in shade |
| Velvet or silk | Smooth, rich | The deity's chowki and mandir | Spot clean, keep out of direct sun |
Kusha grass: the traditional seat
Kusha is the grass the Bhagavad Gita names as the base of the meditation seat, and it has been the default prayer seat for centuries. A woven kusha mat is firm enough to keep your posture steady, it lifts you off the floor, and it does not bunch up the way a folded towel does. If you want the full background, read our guide to what kusha grass is and why it is sacred.
Wool: warmth for long sittings
Woollen aasans have long been valued for extended mantra japa, and many practitioners keep one specifically for their sadhana. The extra cushioning helps on a hard floor when a sitting runs past half an hour. Many devotees also lay a woollen or cotton cloth over a kusha mat to get the best of both.
Cotton and khadi: easy everyday aasans
A simple cotton aasan is light, washable and easy to carry, which makes it a practical choice for children, for travel and for quick daily prayers.
Velvet and silk: for the deity
Velvet cloths with a woven kalash or swastik border are made to dress a chowki. They are what you set a Durga, Ganesha or Laddu Gopal on during Navratri, Satyanarayan Katha or a housewarming, and they photograph beautifully in a home mandir.
For your own seat
A handwoven kusha aasan, and a wooden stand to hold your book during path.
Which colour aasan should you choose?
There is no single rule that every tradition agrees on, but these are the associations many families follow:
- Red: Devi worship, especially Navratri, and Hanuman ji.
- Yellow: Vishnu, Lakshmi-Narayan and Guru worship, and Thursday pooja.
- White: Saraswati, peace and quiet meditation.
- Natural kusha: suitable for every deity and every practice, which is why it is the safest single choice.
If your family or pandit follows a specific colour for a specific ritual, go with that.
What size should a pooja aasan be?
For one adult sitting cross-legged, a seat of roughly 50 by 40 cm to 60 by 60 cm works well. Our kusha aasan is 52 by 42 cm, enough to sit comfortably without taking over a small pooja room.
For the deity's cloth, measure the top of your chowki first and choose a cloth that covers it with a little drape over the edges. A 45 by 45 cm cloth suits most compact chowkis, and a one-metre length gives you room for a larger chowki or a full mandir shelf.
One aasan or a set of 2?
Traditionally each person has their own aasan, so a couple who pray together needs two. That matters most for rituals where husband and wife sit side by side for the sankalp, such as a Satyanarayan Puja at home or a Grah Pravesh pooja. A matching pair also keeps the pooja space looking calm and ordered, and a set of 2 works out cheaper per piece.
During Navratri, when the whole family often sits for aarti and path each evening, it is worth having one aasan for every regular member of the household.
Aasan rules most families follow
- Sit on an aasan for pooja and japa rather than directly on the floor.
- Keep one aasan per person, and do not share your japa aasan.
- Use it only for prayer and meditation, never as an everyday floor mat.
- Do not step on it with shoes, and do not pull it into place with your feet.
- Face east or north while you sit, where your space allows.
- Fold or roll it away after use rather than leaving it lying on the floor.
Caring for your aasan in a UAE home
Kusha is dry grass and does best kept dry. Store it indoors, flat or loosely rolled, and give it a shake before you sit. Woollen aasans like regular airing, and cotton ones can be hand washed and dried in the shade. Velvet cloths only need spot cleaning and should be kept out of strong sun so the colour stays rich.
For your deity's chowki
Velvet and cotton aasan cloths, and a lotus aasan for a single idol.
Buying a pooja aasan in the UAE
Divine Sansar delivers pooja aasans and aasan cloths across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Ajman. You can browse every seat, altar cloth and chowki accessory together in our home mandir collection.
Frequently asked questions
Which aasan is best for daily pooja?
A kusha grass aasan is the traditional choice and suits every deity and practice. A cotton aasan is a practical everyday alternative if you want something washable.
Which aasan is best for meditation and japa?
Kusha or wool. Kusha is the seat the Bhagavad Gita describes, and wool adds warmth and cushioning for long sittings. Many people use both, with a woollen or cotton cloth laid over a kusha mat.
What is the difference between a pooja aasan and an aasan cloth?
A pooja aasan is the seat you sit on. An aasan cloth is spread on the chowki or in the mandir for the deity. Velvet and silk cloths are generally for the deity, not for you.
Can I use a yoga mat as a pooja aasan?
For yoga, yes. For pooja and japa, tradition prefers natural materials such as kusha, wool or cotton, and prefers a seat kept only for prayer.
What colour aasan is used for Navratri?
Red is the most common choice for Devi worship during Navratri. A natural kusha aasan is also fully appropriate.
Can husband and wife share one aasan?
Traditionally each person uses their own aasan, so couples sit side by side on two. That is why a set of 2 is popular for Satyanarayan Katha and Grah Pravesh.
How do I clean a kusha aasan?
Do not wash it. Shake it out, wipe it with a dry cloth, keep it dry and store it flat or loosely rolled.
Do you deliver pooja aasans across the UAE?
Yes. Divine Sansar delivers to Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Ajman.
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