Engagement (Sagai) Puja

Sagai or roka is the formal engagement, where both families exchange gifts and rings and seek blessings before the wedding.

Why is Engagement (Sagai) Puja performed?

It formalises the commitment between the families with prayers to Ganesha for a smooth path to the wedding.

Who performs it?

Called sagai, roka, nischitartham, ashirbad or mangni in different communities.

When to perform it

On an auspicious day chosen by both families — the muhurat is less strict than for the wedding, but many avoid Amavasya and inauspicious months.

Preparing at home

Agree on the rings, gifts (shagun) and who will host. Keep a puja thali with roli, rice, a diya and sweets, and decide whether a pandit will lead the puja or elders will.

After the puja

The engagement is often followed by fixing the wedding date with the pandit and a family meal.

Regional traditions

Called roka or sagai in North India, nischitartham in South India, ashirbad in Bengal and gol dhana in Gujarat, with different customs for gifts and blessings.

Things to avoid

Clarify expectations about gifts between families in advance — it avoids awkwardness on the day.

Puja vidhi — step by step

Ganesh puja — Lord Ganesha is worshipped first to remove obstacles, with akshat, flowers, durva grass and a sweet.
Sankalp — The family sits facing east or north. The pandit states the date, place, family names and gotra, and the purpose of the puja; the host takes water in the right hand as a vow.
Tilak — Tilak and blessings for the couple from both families.
Ring exchange — The couple exchange rings.
Shagun — Families exchange gifts and sweets.
Aarti and prasad — The puja ends with aarti, pushpanjali (offering flowers), prayers for forgiveness of any mistakes, and distribution of prasad.

Families and pandits follow different traditions; your pandit may add or skip steps.

Samagri — what you need

Roli / kumkum
Haldi (turmeric)
Akshat (unbroken rice)
Flowers and garlands
Incense sticks
Diya, ghee and cotton wicks
Camphor
Betel leaves and supari
Fruits
Sweets for prasad
Coconut
Kalash with mango leaves
Gangajal
Red/yellow cloth for the altar
Rings
Gifts / shagun
Dry fruits and sweets

Most pandits bring the special items; confirm the list when they contact you.

Request a pandit

Need a pandit for Engagement (Sagai) Puja? Tell us your city, language and date — a coordinator will contact you on WhatsApp. No payment on MyPujaWorld.

Frequently asked questions

Is a muhurat needed for sagai?

Many families choose a good day; it is less strict than the wedding muhurat.

How much does it cost?

Dakshina varies by city, the pandit's experience and how elaborate the puja is. Ask for a clear quote — including samagri — when the pandit contacts you.