This is a set of 10 kusha grass pavitri rings, each one hand-braided from dried darbha blades and finished with a wrapped knot. A pavitri is the small grass ring worn on the ring finger of the right hand during pitru tarpan, shraddha, sandhya vandanam and havan, to mark the hand that makes the offering as ritually pure. Each ring measures about 6 cm in length and slips straight on, so it is ready the moment your pooja begins.

Known as pavitram in South India and as dharbai or darbham in Tamil, the kusha pavitri is one of the oldest ritual objects in Hindu practice. A pack of 10 keeps a fresh ring ready for each day of Pitru Paksha, for every member of the family taking part in a shraddha, and for the new moon tarpan through the rest of the year.

What is kusha grass?

Kusha is a tall, sharp-bladed wild grass, known to botanists as Desmostachya bipinnata. It grows in dense tufts on dry, even salty ground across India, and turns a pale straw green as it dries while staying strong and springy. That strength is what lets it be twisted and braided into a ring that holds its shape.

Tradition holds kusha among the most sacred of all plants. In the Mahabharata, Garuda set the pot of amrit down on a bed of kusha, and the grass was sanctified by the touch of the nectar of immortality. You can read more in our guide to kusha grass and how it is used in pooja.

How the pavitri is worn

The pavitri goes on the ring finger, the anamika, of the right hand, with the knot resting on the back of the finger. It is put on before the sankalp and stays on through the offerings, so that water, black sesame and pinda are given with a purified hand.

Many families take a fresh pavitri for each ritual rather than keeping one on, which is why these come as a set. Once the rite is complete, the used ring is traditionally untied and placed respectfully in a plant pot or garden rather than thrown away. Customs differ between families and regions, so follow your own pandit ji on the details of your vidhi.

When you will need a pavitri

• Pitru Paksha shraddha and tarpan - the fortnight of offerings to the ancestors, when a pavitri is worn for each day's tarpan
• Amavasya tarpan - the monthly new moon offering to the pitrs, including Sarva Pitru Amavasya and Mauni Amavasya
• Annual shraddha - on the tithi of a parent or grandparent's passing
• Sandhya vandanam - the daily twilight prayer in many South Indian homes
• Havan and homam - worn by the yajaman while offering ahuti into the fire
• Upakarma and yagnopavit sanskar - when the sacred thread is renewed

What is in the pack

• 10 kusha grass pavitri rings
• Braided darbha with a wrapped knot finish
• Length: approximately 6 cm per ring
• Natural dried grass - colour and braid vary slightly from ring to ring
• Packed together in a clear pouch

Pavitri rings delivered across the UAE

Fresh kusha is hard to find loose anywhere in the UAE, and during Pitru Paksha pandits across Dubai and Sharjah are booked back to back. Keeping your own pavitri rings at home means the family is ready for tarpan even when the pandit joins by video call, or when you perform a simple Amavasya offering yourself.

We deliver across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman and the rest of the UAE. Add a pack of kali til for pitru tarpan and your order reaches AED 30 for free UAE delivery, with the two things almost every tarpan begins with. You will find the rest of your ritual essentials in our pooja samagri collection.

Frequently asked questions

What is a kusha pavitri?

It is a small ring made from kusha grass, also called darbha, worn on the ring finger of the right hand during shraddha, tarpan, sandhya vandanam and havan. It marks the hand that makes the offering as pure for the ritual.

On which finger is the pavitri worn?

On the ring finger of the right hand, known as the anamika. The knot usually sits on the back of the finger.

Why does the pack have 10 rings?

Many families use a fresh pavitri for each ritual. Ten rings cover several days of Pitru Paksha, or one each for family members performing tarpan together, with a few left for the new moon offerings after.

How big is each ring?

Each pavitri is about 6 cm long from the top of the loop to the knot. The braided loop slips over most adult ring fingers comfortably.

What do I do with the pavitri after the pooja?

Most families untie it and place it respectfully in a plant pot, a garden or under a tree, never in the bin. Your pandit may give you a specific instruction for shraddha, so follow that where it applies.

Is darbha the same as kusha grass?

For home pooja, yes. The two names are used interchangeably across India, and in Tamil the same grass is dharbai. A few priestly traditions separate closely related sacred grasses for particular rites, so follow your family pandit if your vidhi is specific.

Can I use the pavitri without a pandit?

Yes. Many families in the UAE perform a simple Amavasya tarpan at home with water, kali til and a pavitri. For the full shraddha, most households still follow a pandit, in person or on a call.

Do you deliver kusha pavitri in Dubai?

Yes, we deliver across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman and the rest of the UAE. Orders from AED 30 ship free.

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