Rakhi Thali decoration is as important as the other rituals of this festival. Traditionally the Rakhi Thali is the same as the Thali for the pooja of the deities. It contains a diya, roli or tika, rice, sandalwood and incense sticks. In this thali, the Rakhis are kept along with the moli.

One can come across a lot many variations of Rakhi Thali available in the market. It can be of silver or brass or simple steel. They may have fixed containers and stands for the various components of the Pooja or have complimenting incense stick stands and diyas, containers for rice and roli and place to keep sweets.

Essentials of Rakhi Thali decoration

People can also decorate the Rakhi Thali as per their choice. The most essential jowb is to make a Swastika or a symbol of Lord Ganesha at the centre of the thali. Many tiny containers are required for roli, rice and water, a diya and an incense stick stand. Rakhi and flowers can be places in the Thali itself and sweets can accompany in a separate plate.

Thali with Betal Leaves
Betel leaves can also be used as a replacement of the containers. Some people make use of betel leaves to decorate rakhi thali and make the occasion all the more special and memorable. You can also arrange roli, rice particles, sweets and other things on separate betel leaves.

Thali with Banana Leaves
In order to give a complete festive look to an ordinary thali, Banana leaves can also be kept. The various pooja ingredients can be arranged beautifully on banana leaves to enhance the look and create a n entire festive ambiance around you.

Floral Thali
Different fresh colorful flowers can also be used to decorate Rakhi thali. One can either fill the thali with flowers or decorate them only on its boundary. Instead of entire flower only the petals of flower can also be used for decoration.

Dry-fruits Thali
Dry-fruits like cashew nuts, chestnuts, raisins, cocoa nut, pistachio, almond, betel nut etc. can also be used separately or combined for Rakhi thali decoration. Circles of different dry- fruits can be made on the thali which gives a colorful and soothing look.

Roli-turmeric Thali
Roli and turmeric are another options to be used in the decoration of rakhi thali. These can be used as semi-solid paste by adding little water. The red and yellow combination of these two ingredients will give a traditional look to your Thali.

Ideas to decorate Rakhi Thali with Sandalwood

• Spread the sandalwood paste over entire thali. After it is dry, make an auspicious Swastika with Roli at the centre of the thali.
• Decorate the space between Swastika with yellow petals of marigold, and the entire swastika with a boundary box of rose petals.Circle edge boundary of Thali with rose petals.
• Decorate the Thali fringe with satin, beads and tassels.
• Place beetle leaves at the center and on four sides of the Thali. Place roli, Rakhi, akshat and sweets on all four beetle leaves. Place the diya on the center beetle leaf.
• Decorate the space between beetle leaves with dry fruits.
• The Thali is now ready for Rakhi tying ceremony.