Create a Pocket Altar

Take your deity with you to bring you peace wherever you travel!

Even though I always know I have God in my heart, I really like having a small shrine  with me wherever I go. I can see it in my purse and instantly feel a calm joy come over me. I can take it out when staying with relatives or at a hotel and quietly perform a puja.

This project is simple and easy to complete. You can also make them as gifts for the spiritual people in your life. Though the steps here are for a Hindu altar, they can easily be modified to create a Buddhist shrine or even used to make an altar to the virgin Mary.

The only part I found tricky was coming up with a good material to cover the lid.

This is made from an Altoid’s tin, which is a really perfect container for all sorts of crafts!

The first time I made one of these, I used Modge Podge to put scrapbook paper over the lid and around the sides, but I found that it didn’t stand up well to general wear and tear. So next I was thinking about maybe using paint, but that would still allow the texture of the Altoid’s word on the top to stand out.

Then I discovered patterned Duct Tape at Michael’s. It is the perfect material for this project.

For the inside I cut a piece of index card to the dimensions inside lid and drew a Ganesha image on it. Then I used a dab of superglue in the corners to attach it. I think in the future I will laminate the image first (since I now have a laminater for my puja cards!) That would help protect it from any damage it might get from elements bouncing around in the box.

I glued a bead to the bottom corner for an incense holder. I chopped incense down to be the right length to fit inside and store that at Ganesha’s feet.

I glued a tea light candle to the center.

I glued a packet of craft flowers on the opposite side from the incense.

I added a matchbook and a tiny bell and it was finished.

Tips:

– Burn the candle down a little before closing the lid. It’s a little too tall and the burned wick will break off or smudge Ganesha if it’s sticking up too much.

-Try gluing the striking portion of a long kitchen matchbox to the side and putting loose matches into the box if you have trouble fitting the matchbook

If you have a smart phone there are also puja apps you can download, but I like having something physical and not electronic!