For daily worship there must be fresh fruit, flowers, and leaves | Letter to Himavati

“…there is no question of using paper plastic fruits and flowers for worshiping the deities. If no fresh fruits or flowers are available, then you can decorate with some fresh leaves. You have seen our temples; nowhere do we use such things. You are experienced devotee, why you propose like that? We are not after decoration, we are after devotional service for pleasing Krishna’s senses. Decoration must be there of course, to make the temple as opulent as possible for pleasing Krishna. Outside the temple, you can use the plastic ornaments. But not for worship. For daily worship there must be fresh fruit, flowers, and leaves.”
Srila Prabhupada letter to Himavati, Dec. 26, 1971

“Regarding the use of Ostrich feathers, we don’t find such things mentioned in the sastras, only peacock feathers. But, there is no harm. It is for dressing the Deity.”
Srila Prabhupada letter to Adi Kesava, Dec. 26, 1976