TEMPLE RITUALS |
RITUALS IN TEMPLES
Rituals in the temple comprise a number of rites. The rites include those performed at the time of selection of temple site, building of temple, installation of idol, bali-peethas, principal bali peetha and dwaja, normal rites, special rites, expiatory rites etc.
Rites relating to selection of temple site
For demarcating the correct point of prathishta (consecration) the first step is to mark the garbha graham into four padas known as Brahma-pada at the centre surrounded one after the other by Deva-pada, Maanusha-pada and Pisacha-pada. Installation of idol is confined to Brahma-pada or Deva-pada. The Brahma-pada and Deva-pada are sub-divided (horizontally north south) into 15 and 13 segments respectively. The prathishtas are done from the 8th segment or near to that of the Brahma-pada.
Vastu-bali:
Vasthu mandala has 64, 81 or 100 padas. The rite is done in a square padma of 81 padas (9 rows of 9 colums) the width of each square padma being 4 angulams. The nine padas at the centre are combined into one known as Brahma-pada and a swastika symbol is laid over it. There will be 52 padas representing 52 Devathas (Gods). When the seats of Devathas are fixed then starts the pooja and purificatory rites. Then Aavaahana (invocation) of Vasthupurusha and Devathas are done. The rituals of Vasthu-bali are completed by prasanna pooja and sprinkling of Samghaatha for purification of the site. Vasthu-bali is conducted as part of prathishta and expiatory rites.
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Rites during building of a temple
Shadaadhaara Prathishta
After purification of the temple site the layout of the temple, size of the idol and nature of prathishta like Shadaadhaara are determined and executed based on the principles laid down in the Saasthras. All temples do not have Shadaadhaara-prathishta. In some temples idols are installed on a peetha.
Ishtaka-nyaasa and garbha nyaasa
These are sacred rites and associated with the birth of the body of main deity of the temple. Garbha Graha symbolizes the womb of the mother earth. Here the rites to be performed commence on the night of the previous day.
Garbha-nyasa of Valiyabalikkal
Prior to the bimba prathishta the Valiabalikkal has to be built for which the rites are performed only at night. A swastika-padma is laid at the south of the proposed Valiyabalikkal. A copper pot having a lid is kept upright down and then pooja is performed.

Sila parigraha:
This is a rite performed wherever Sila (stone) is used for idols.
Rites relating to Prathishta
Muhurtham:
Muhurtham is the auspicious time for prathishta fixed based on several factors. The almanacs generally specify the prathishta muhurthams based on the related concepts.
Prathishta rites:
It is a rite performed at the time of prathishta. The period of prathishta rite varies depending on the nature of prathishta. Normally it is done in 3, 6, 7, 9 or 11 or 12 days. The rites can be limited to 3 days if there is no Shadaadhaara prathishta and parivaara prathishta. Every rite is significant and has direct bearing on the chaithanya (glory) of the deity.
Normal rites
Normal rites are grouped under daily, monthly and annual. After prathista the rituals to be followed in the temple are fixed as per the niyamamnischayikkal rite. It prescribes the procedure of timings, customs, details of nivedya etc. Once a procedure has been decided no deviation can be made except at the time of puna-prathishta (re-incarnation).
Nitya-nidanam or Daily rites:
It means the rites performed when the temple is opened daily or on specified days in a week or month or year as per the custom of the temple.
Pooja timings:
Pooja timings vary according to sunrise and sunset. In every temple there is fixed time for daily poojas. Normally the following are the timings of pooja which may change depending on some specified rituals followed in a temple.
Palliyunarthal |
Three hours before sunrise |
Abhisheka |
Thirty minutes before sunrise |
Usha-pooja |
Thirty minutes after sunrise |
Ethrth pooja |
Between one hour and one and half hour after sunrise |
Pantheeradi pooja |
Between three hours and two and half house after sunrise |
Navaka Kalasabhishekam |
At three hours after sunrise |
Ucha pooja |
Between four and half hours and six hours after sunrise |
Athazha pooja |
Between one hour and two hours after sunset. |
In most temples deeparadhana is conducted thirty minutes after sunset though it is not considered as a pooja as per the traditions followed in Kerala. The timings will change during solar or lunar eclipses.
Deeparadhana
Deeparadhana is the worship with lamp with lamps, performed at dawn and dusk. Pyramidal lamps with seven tiers, nagaphana lamps with five wicks and plain lamps with a single wick are lightened and waved several times in front of the Lord, from head to foot. Similar waving is then done with lighted camphor.It is considered to be an auspicious act to pray during deeparadhana time. At Thiruvarpu temple deeparadhana is conducted after Athazha pooja whereas in all other temples it is done before Athazha pooja.
Palliyunarthal:
Palliyunarthal is the waking up of the deity from sleep. For all spiritual activities the best time is brahma muhurtha which is 3 hours before sunrise. In some of the prominent temples in the state like Guruvayur Sri Krishna Temple, the time of Palliyunarthal is at brahma muhurtha. In majority of the temples the time of Palliyunarthal is between 4.00 AM and 5.30 AM. Palliyunarthal is done by blowing the conch shell three times accompanied by Pandaarimela (using musical instruments like Kurum-kuzhal, Sruthi, Thakil etc.). There are variations in the instruments used in different temples. In some temples, Nadaswaram and Thakil are used through Nadaswaram is not permissible within Nalambalam as per Kerala traditions.
Nirmalya Dashana:
The chief priest or Thantri after taking bath reaches the garbha-dwara and rings the metal bells hanging on either side of the garbha-dwara. It is intended for seeking permission of Dwasthhas and the deity for entering the sanctum. Then the doors are opened and the lights are lit. Divine worship of the idol at this stage is known as Nirmalya Darshana and it is considered as very auspicious as it is the moment of the first after nidra Samadhi of the deity (when the deity is believed to have full power). Then the priest removes the Nirmalyam (remnants of previous day offerings such as flowers, garlands, sandal paste etc.) and the entire garbha graha is cleaned by pure water.
Abhisheka:
It means oblation with different liquids after removal of nirmalyam. The first thing is the cleaning of the idol with eeancha and water. Then the idol is bathed with different articles like bhasma, kalabha (sandal in liquid form), honey milk, ghee, panchamritha (milk, curd, ghee, honey and sugar or plantain, jaggery, ghee etc.), tender coconut, panineer (rose water). After abhisheka the idol is again washed. Then the abhisheka is done with purified water taken in a conch by citing the relevant manthras. The idol is then wiped with a fresh cloath an decorated with cloths, ornaments, flowers etc.
Nivedya:
Nivedya consists of different articles depending on the practice followed in each temple. Some of the articles are malar, aval, plantain, sugar, thrimadhuram, tender coconut, betel leaves, areca nut, palpayasam, aravana etc. Nivedya varies according to deity and from temple to temple.
Usha pooja:
The first worship of the day is Usha pooja or pooja at dawn. Though generally the time of Usha pooja is thirty minutes after the sunrise, there are variations in the timings on various temples. It is at 4.30 a.m. in Sree Padmanabha Swamy Temple in Thiruvananthapuram and Guruvayoor Temple. In other temples it is at 7.30 AM or just before dawn.
Ethrth pooja:
This pooja is conducted at the moment when the rays of the sun are in front of the deity or garbha dwara of the Sree Kovil or simply at the time between one and one and half hours after sunrise.
Pantheeradi pooja:
Pantheeradi pooja is elaborate in nature and done only in major temples. This is done 2 hours after sunrise (approximately between 8 and 8.30 AM). The term Pantheeradi denotes the time of pooja based on human shadow measuring 12 feet in the morning.
Navakam:
This is done only in major temples especially in Siva temples; between 9 and 10 AM. Here abhisheka is done with the pure water taken in nine pots after detailed pooja.
Ucha pooja:
In major temples Ucha pooja is done around 12 noon and in other temples before 11 AM.
Athazha pooja:
This is the last pooja conducted in a temple on a day. This is done between one and two hours after sun set – i.e., before 8.30 PM.
Monthly rites:
Monthly rites mainly consist of three types. They are week days, thidhis, and asterisks.
Some days are believed to be important for some deities and worshipping on these days is considered as auspicious. Eg. Monday for Lord Siva, Tuesday and Friday for Goddess Durga (Bhagavathy), Friday for Lord Ganapathy, Thursday for Lord Vishnu and Lord Hanuman
Thidhis are Ekadashi, Dwadashi, Thryodashi, Ashtami, Chathurthi, and Shashti.
Asterisks:
Like week days, certain asterisks are considered as auspicious for worship. Eg. Aswathy, Bharani, Karthika, Makom for Goddess Bhagavathy (Durga), Rohini for Lord Krishna, Pooyam for Lord Subrahamania, Uthram for Lord Sastha, Punartham for Lord Sri Rama, Ayilyam for Nagas etc.
Annual rites:
Annual ritesare Utsava, Vinayaka Chathurthi, Sreekrishna Jayanthi, Navarathri. Thrikarthika, Aayilyam, Thiruvathira, Thaipooyam, Sivarathri, Ponkala etc.

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