Saubhagya Dravya - सौभाग्य द्रव्य !

      Saubhagya Dravya (सौभाग्य द्रव्य) is Sanskrit/Hindi word. Saubhagya means "Good Luck" while Dravya means material. So Saubhagya Dravya literally means the materials that bring good luck. In Hindu worship, Saubhagya Dravya is in form of powder and they consist,

1. Aveer (अवीर)

2. Gulal (गुलाल)

3. Kumkum (कुंकुम)

4. Turmeric powder (हल्दी चूर्ण)

5. Vermilion (सिन्दूर)
6. Ashtagandh Chandana (अष्टगंध चन्दन)
    

Saubhagya Dravya in Puja ki Thal

        These things can be seen in the above picture where a "Puja Ki Thal" has some items used in worship. At the start of worship jal/gangajal is offered to Gods for giving a bath (Snanam) and then one by one item of "Soubhagya Dravya" is offered. Instead of applying these with the hand it is better to sprinkle these powders with the help of a flower. Generally, a small "Genda" flower is used for this purpose. The flower is held at its lower part and the petal area is touched to the powder and then with a light stroke by forefinger the powder is sprinkled over the Gods. With each sprinkle, a Mantra is spoken. Example:-

अबीरं  च  गुलालं  च  चोवा  चन्दनमेव च।

अबीरेणार्चितो देव!अतः शान्ति प्रयच्छ मे।।

(Abiram ch Gulalam ch chova chandanmev ch,

Abirenarchito dev ! Atah Shanti prayachh me)

And

सिन्दूरं शोभनं रक्तं सौभाग्यम सुखवर्धनं।

शुभदं  कामदं चैव  सिन्दूरं  प्रतिगृह्यतां।।

  

(Sindooram Shobhanam raktam Saubhagyam sukhvardhanam

Shubhdam   Kamdam   chaiv   sindooram   pratigrihytam) 

            As someone makes up his/her face with different items to look beautiful, in the same way, these items of "Soubhagya Dravya" give a beautiful look to Gods and they are pleased. When Gods are pleased, it is bound to bring good luck (Saubhagya) to the devotee.
              Mahadeva (Shiva) too likes these specially Aveer, Gulal, Kumkum, and Chandana. When performing worship on a Shivalinga people like to rub these with hand. This offering looks beautiful at Baba Basukinathdham Shivalinga where one can see a devotee coming out from "Garbh-Gruh" with his right-hand red up to the wrist due to Abeer and Gulal offerings. 
               Apart from worship, these things are part of Hindu culture. Whenever there is an occasion of happiness,  people apply it to one another's faces. Remember the victory procession of an elected public leader or "Idol immersion-मूर्ति विसर्जन" procession. Hindu New Year's day ie Holi is nothing without Abeer and Gulal. God Krishna's Holi with Gopees is well known and has its spiritual significance.             
            These Puja items are available everywhere in local markets. Most of the things are also available at online shop Amazon for which link is given below:-

1. Aveer (अवीर)

2. Gulal (गुलाल)

3. Kumkum (कुंकुम)

4. Turmeric powder (हल्दी चूर्ण)

5. Vermilion (सिन्दूर)
6. Ashtagandh Chandana (अष्टगंध चन्दन)

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