TEMPLE RITUALS

 श्री  गणेश  मंदिर   -  शिक्षा वाणी – 30^th June 2019

Serene Sunday Reflections

TEMPLE RITUALS

KEYWORDS :: Temple Rituals, Offering,

 

Last week we reflected on the rituals as Dharana done in full SRADDHA (concentration) and BHAVA (understanding the inner meaning). We didn’t draw references or comparisons were made with India and other countries in rituals. This is because the Yaga – Yajna – Vaidika Karma leading to the individual rituals for and by God to God is only an Indian Tradition.  When it comes to Temple rituals in India only is still in tact where as like ancient Egypt sort of places with all its richness in heritage times were lost and forgotten.

 

Hindu Temples in India and Outside India are still kept and continued rituals which are older than the oldest that exist in this world. These God’s place -  luxurious and rich palaces, rustic abandoned warehouses, simple halls with just a picture of God or granite stone in a jungle or roadside -  Hindu temples are springing up all over the world, numbering in the hundreds of thousands.

Dress modestly, respect the priest and other visitors,  refrain from gossip and worldly talk enjoy a spiritual time. The Hindu worship service - rituals called puja, literally adoration with manthras (verses / hymns) and hand gestures (mudras) ringing bell is the main activity in most temples, follows same procedures. They are mostly based on Vedas modified to fit in the temple procedure making the ways and means texted under Agama Sasthra.

1.   the pujari purifies himself,

2.   Sanctifies the place of worship,

3.   Spiritualize the precious substances to offer the Deity like - water, uncooked rice, holy ash, sandalwood paste and Kumkum and the lamp to be lighted

4.   Light the lamp

5.   beseeches the Deity to come and dwell in the lamp / diety / image,

6.   a ritual bath, called abhishekam, in which water, sesame oil, turmeric water, saffron, milk, yogurt, ghee, honey, lime juice, vibhuti, sandalwood paste, panchamritam (mixture of five fruits), coconut water and rosewater are poured over the Deity

7.   Deity is dressed in new clothes and beautifully decorated with flowers, etc.

8.   offers incense, oil lamps and food

9.   He offers flowers while chanting 108 names of the God

10.       At the high point of the puja, a large lamp is waved before the Deity and bells are rung loudly as God sends His power through the holy image of Himself that is absorbed by the water, food, flower, ashes (vibhoothi)

11.       When the lamp is lowered, everyone prostrates to the Divine.

12.       The lamp is then carried out to bless the worshipers, who often leave a donation on the tray (or later in the temple offering box).

13.       Finally, depending on the tradition, sacraments such as sacred ash, blessed water, sandalwood paste, kumkum, fruit, sweets and flowers are passed out to bless all present. These include a portion of the offerings--flowers, cooked food and more--brought by devotees.

14.       Devotees may then sit in meditation, basking in the blessings invoked by the puja.

15.       Make the God to sleep, devotees may sing devotional songs during this time.

What we described here as ritual is called ANUSHTANA and may be different varied versions of this must be in practice at different places with variations acceptable to the locals. That being followed is called ACHARA. Having reflected on temple rituals, we shall see the Temples and it’s Power in the coming week.

----- Next Week 7^th July 2019 – TEMPLES AND IT’S POWER –-----

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