 TEMPLE CUSTOMS
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Every person has to observe and follow some principles and practices while worshipping in the temple. There are certain rules regarding the cleanliness, wearing of dress, using of flowers, lighting of lamps, receiving theertham and prasadam, performing pradakshina (devotional rounds) and offerings or vazhipads.
Cleanliness:
Observation of cleanliness is important for all those who associated with the temples including devotees. Daily bath is a must. However, no devotees dare to enter temple without taking a bath and wear fresh or new clothes. One should not enter into the temple by smearing the body with oil. Taking bath in the temple tank is not only permissible but considered as sacred as the water in the temple tank is considered as holy water of seven holy rivers – Ganga, Yamuna, Saraswathy, Narmada, Sindhu, and Kaveri. Further the idol is immersed in the tank when Arat is performed and hence the water is believed to have the divine powers of the deity. The priests keep aloof from others before entering to the temple to avoid pollution. Creating nuisance for others, throwing of rubbish, smoking, chewing, spitting with the temple are strictly prohibited.
Dress Code:
The Priesthood and devotees have to observe certain dress code in temples. In the past, all were used to enter the temple wearing wet clothes after taking bath. Now, this practice is not being followed strictly. The Thantri and Santhikkar used to wear dhoti in a peculiar method known as thattudukkal. The male devotees may wear a simple dhoti when entering into the temple. Wearing of shirt is not allowed in most of the temples, especially inside the Chuttambalam. Wearing of modern dress like trousers is not allowed in some of the temples. Women devotees are permitted to wear dhoti, saree, skirts, with blouse and other types of dress appropriate to their age. Foot-wears are totally prohibited in all temples.
Using of flowers:
All flowers are not used in all temples. However, Thulsi (Ocimum sanctum), Thetti (Ixora coccinea), Asoka (Saraca asoca), Thamara (Nelumbo nucifera), Brahma-saka or Chamata (Butea monosperma), Mandaram (Bauhinia acuminate), Mulla (Jasminum sambac), Pichakam (Jasminum grandiflorum), Arali (Nerium odorum) are used while performing poojas for all deities.
There are certain flowers important for specified deities. They are given below:
Lord Siva /Dakshinamoorthy |
Koovalam leaves (Aegle marmelos), White flowers of Erikku(Calotropis gigantean), Mandaram (Bauhinia acuminate)
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Lord Maha Vishnu / Sri Krishna |
Thulsi (Ocimum sanctum) |
Goddess Durga/Bhadrakali |
Thamara (Nelumbo nucifera), Mandaram (Bauhinia acuminate), Nandiarvattam (Tabermae ,pmtama cprpmaroa), Mulla (Jasminum sambac), Pichakam (Jasminum grandiflorum), Thetti (Ixora coccinea), Kumkum flower (Crocus sativus) |
Lord Ganapathy |
Thamara (Nelumbo nucifera), Thetti (Ixora coccinea), Chembarathy (Hibiscus rosa) |
Lord Subramanya |
Chembakam (Michelia chembaka) |
Bilwa leaves Koovalam leaves (Aegle marmelos)] is not used for poojas in Vishnu Temples.
Lighting of lamps
Ghee or gingelly oil is used in order to light the lamps at Sree Kovil. The lamps at the Chuttambalam lit with coconut oil. It is a general principle that at least one lamp in front of the principal deity has to be lit with ghee.
Receiving Prasadam:
Prasadam includes theertha jala (holy water), sandal paste and flowers. These three represent three spheres of universe - water, earth and space. In Saivaite temples, bhasma (cow dung ash) is distributed as prasadam that represents eradication of worldly pleasure and elevation of oneself into the level of spirituality. It is believed that the deva chaithanya (divine spirit and power) descends to the devotee through the prasadam. Prasadam has to be received only in right palm. The palm has to be kept in such a way to hold theertha jala and it should not spill to the earth. The theertha jala should be poured into the mouth through the wrist without touching the lips. Sprinkling of theertha jala on head is also considered auspicious. While applying bhasma or sandal paste on the forehead, forefinger should be avoided.
Performing pradakshina (devotional rounds)
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Each alphabet of the Sanskrit word Pradakshina represents different meaning. Prameans give; dameans granting of moksha (salvation), kshi means relief from ailments, and na means prosperity. Thus, while performing pradakshina in a temple the devotee gets health, prosperity and ultimately salvation.
Pradakshina is meant for mental peace. It has to be done most reverently. It has to be done slowly with folded hands; by chanting manthras of the deity; and imagining the deity in mind.
Pradakshina can be done along four paths; (1) around the anthar mandapa; (2) along the outer pradakshina vazhi; (3) outer side of maryada (compound wall); and (4) outside the temple compound including tank. It can be done whenever the temple is open except the time prescribed for nivedya. It is considered auspicious to perform pradakshina four time in a day ie., morning (to get relief from ailments); noon (to fulfill desires); evening (to eliminate sins); and night (to get moksha or ultimate salvation).
Though every devotee can perform any number of pradakshina according to his or her choice, minimum number has been prescribed for some deities. According to Smrithis, the number of pradakshina is one for Lord Ganapathy, two for Soorya, three for Lord Siva, four for Lord Siva, Goddess Durga/bhagavathy, Lord Vishnu. Around Arayal Pradiskshina should be done for seven times.
Pradikshina is to be done in clock-wise direction for full round. But in Siva temples, the procedure is different. In Siva Temples, the pradikshina is to be performed in clock-wise up to Soma-suthra, where the abhisheka water is flown and to proceed to the other end of Soma-suthra in anti clock-wise.
It is ideal to enter a temple through the main entrance of gopura. Normally the deities face east, west or north. Lord Dakshinamoorthy faces south. If one enters the temple facing the deity and returns through the same way he has to retrace his steps facing the deity without turning back. If he takes other entrances he can return without this restriction.
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Vazhipad
Vazhipad or offerings are done for the favour and blessings of the deity. Vazhipad include Archana or Pushpanjali (worship with flowers), Abhisheka (oblation with liquid medium such as milk, ghee, tender coconut water, gingelly oil, rose water, sandal wood paste), Chandanam Charthal (smearing with sandal paste on the face or the body of the deity), Nivedya (sanctified food that differs according to the nature of deity), and Vilakku (lighting of lamps with oil or ghee). Archana or Pushpanjali is done for heath and long life, Abhisheka for helpful effects to persons who have done serious offences, Chandanam Charthal for cure from diseases, Nivedya for knowledge, protection from enemies and general prosperity, Vilakku for cure from illness and for prosperity. Vazhipad is to be executed by the priests of the temple.
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