TEMPLE CUSTOMS & PRACTICES
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, sari, 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 |
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Koovalam leaves (Aegle marmelos), White flowers of Erikku (Calotropis gigantean), Mandaram (Bauhinia acuminate) |
Lord Maha Vishnu / Sri Krishna |
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Thulsi (Ocimum sanctum) |
Goddess Durga/Bhadrakali |
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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 |
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Thamara (Nelumbo nucifera), Thetti (Ixora coccinea), Chembarathy (Hibiscus rosa) |
Lord Subramanya |
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Chembakam (Michelia chembaka) |
Bilwa leaves [Koovalam leaves (Aegle marmelos)] are not used for poojas in Vishnu Temples.
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 (sacred 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.
Pradakshina (devotional rounds)
Each alphabet of the Sanskrit word Pradakshina represents different meaning. Pra means give; da means 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.
Common Offerings (Vazhipad)
Generally offerings are items offered by priests, owners of temples and devotees. Offerings are either Vazhipad or Nercha. Vazhipad are done for the expected favour from the deity. Nercha are offered after the fulfillment of the desire of devotee. The principle of offering is the total surrender of the devotee and seeking only God’s blessings.
Vazhipad is to be executed by the priests of the temple. In general Vazhipad include Archana, Abhisheka, Chandanam Charthal, Nivedya, Vilakku.
Abhisheka
Abhisheka is ablution of the deity mainly with liquid medium. Abhisheka is done to all idols except those idols made of wood and Kadusarkara yogam. Pure water, milk, curd, honey, ghee, sugar-cane juice, rose-water, tender coconut water, thick sandal liquid), Bhasma (sacred ash) are the common mediums used for abhisheka. The prescribed time for abhisheka is 30 minutes (1 ¼ Naazhika) before sun rise.
Rudrabhisheka (for Lord Dakshinamoorthy), Sankhabhisheka, Dhara, Bhasmabhisheka (for Lord Siva), Panchamruthabhisheka, Bhasmabhisheka (for Lord Subramanya), Noorum-Palum (mixture of cow’s milk, tender coconut water, rice powder and turmeric powder) (for Naga) are special abhishekas.
Abhisheka is offered by the persons who have committed offences as atonement.
Archana
Archana is also known as Pushpanjali. It is the offering of flowers by chanting manthra (sacred incantation) of the deity concerned. Astothara satha (108) namarchana, Thrishathi (300) namarchana, Chathurshathi (400) namarchana, Sahasra (1000) namarchana, Bhagya-sooktha, Purusha-sooktha, Aikamathya-sooktha are different type of archanas offered in general.
In addition, special archana is being offered to specified deities. Vishnu sooktha pushpanjali (for Lord Vishnu), Ayur sooktha pushpanjali, Swayamvara pushpanjali, Uma-Maheswara pushpanjali (for Lord Siva), Rudra sooktha pushpanjali (for Lord Dakshinamoorthy), Ganapathy sooktha pushpanjali (for Lord Ganapathy), Kumara sooktha pushpanjali (for Lor Subramanya), Sree-sooktha pushpanjali (for Goddess Mahalekshmi), Saraswatha pushpanjali (for Goddess Saraswathy), Raktha pushapanjali, Kumkumarchana, Lalitha Sahasranama pushpanjali (for Goddess Durga/Bhagavathy/Bhadrakali), Sarpa sooktha pushpanjali (for Naga) are some of them.
Archana/Pushapanjali is offered for health, longevity, protection from enemies, prosperity etc.
Chandanam Charthal
Chandanam charthal is anointing of the whole body or face of the stone or metal idols with sandal paste mixed with perfumes. It is also known as Muzhukkapp in certain regions. In temples with wooden idols, Chanthattam is the offering instead of Chandanam charthal. This offering is for cure from diseases particularly skin diseases and fulfillment of desires.
Homa
Homa or Havana is the sacrifice of articles in altar. Ganapathy-homa (for Lord Ganapathy), Rudra-homa, Mruthyunjaya-homa, Karuka-homa, Thila-homa (for Lord Siva), Sudarsana-homa (for Lord Vishnu) are the general items of homa. This is perpformed for prosperity an longevity.
Nivedya
Nivedya is sanctified food that differs according to the concept of the idol. Ada (Steamed cake made of rice powder, coconut gratings, plantain and molasses), Appam-Unni Appam, Neyyappam (fried cake of rice flour, molasses, plantain, cardamom etc and fried in ghee with round shape), Aravana (a special porridge of rice, molasses, cardamom etc. of thick consistency), Aval (beaten rice), Manja-chor (rice prepared with turmeric powder), Modakam (fried ball type cake made of green gram powder and molasses with an outer coating of rice powder), Nai-payasam (special porridge with rice, molasses and ghee), Pal-payasam (porridge made of milk, ghee, rice and sugar), Panchamrutham (mixture of five sweet ingredients-milk, curd, ghee, honey and sugar or plantain), Ponkala (cooked rice or pudding prepared in earthen pot), Sarkara-payasam (porridge made of rice and molasses), Thrimadhuram (combination of kadali plantain, ghee or honey and sugar), Vada-mala (garland made of round fried cake made of black gram), Vella-nivedyam (cooked rice) are the common types of Nivedyas.
Vilakku
Lighting of lamps at Nalambalam, Vilakkumadam, Agramandapam with ghee, sesame oil or coconut oil is known as Vilakku. Chova-vilakku (lighting of lamps on Tuesdays, especially in Durga temples), Enna-vilakku (lighting of lamps with oil), Chuttu-vilakku (lighting of lamps on all sides of Nalambalam), Nai-vilakku (lighting of bell metal lamp with ghee) are some of them. The offering is made for relief from rheumatism, ophthalmic diseases etc.
Other offerings
Annadanam |
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Free distribution of food. |
Aval Nivedyam |
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Beaten-rice or rice flakes offered to the deity. |
Garudan Thookam |
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An offering in Durga temples in which a devout allowed to be lifted on a lever attached to a waistband |
Ilaneeraattam |
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Ablution with tender coconut water |
Kavadi Attam |
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Offering performed at the Subramanya temples. |
Manja Neeratt |
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Ablution with boiling water that contains raw rice and turmeric power |
Mothiram Vachu Thozal |
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A special offering of placing a gold ring at the sopana and worship the deity for blessings |
Muttarukkal |
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An offering made for removing obstacles by breaking coconuts. This is famous at the Kadampuzha Bhagavathy temple, Malappuram district. Several types of Mutt (obstacle) are there Deha-mutt (for bodily health), Graha-mutt (for family prosperity), Karma-mutt (for securing job), Vidya-mutt (for success in education), Santhana-mutt (for getting progeny) etc. are some of them. |
Neyyaattam |
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Ablution with ghee. |
Niramala |
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An offering by which the deity is adorned with flower garlands. |
Niraputhari |
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Offering of newly harvested grains and prepare nivedyam out of the grains so offered. |
Noorum-Palum |
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A combination of turmeric powder, rice powder and milk offering to the Lord Naga (serpent god) |
Palayum Kayarum |
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In many temples Pala (sheath of areca nut frond) and Kayar (coir or rope) are offered to get relief from chronic asthma, wheezing etc. |
Poomoodal |
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Covering of idol or sthanam (position) of idol with flowers. Poomoodal at Kadampuzha Bhagavathy temple at Malappuram district is famous. Here only one poomoodal in a day and hence the booking for this offering for several years has already been done. |
Pushpabhishekam |
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Covering of idol with flowers. |
Sayana Pradikshnam |
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Rolling around the temple by the devout person. |
Thottilum Kunjum |
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An offering of placing cradle and a doll before the deity for progeny. |
Thrikkayyil Venna |
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Offering of Venna (butter) to Lord Sri Krishna.
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Thulabharam |
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Offering in which articles are weighted against devotee’s own weight. |
Peculiar Offerings to certain deities
Acharum Injiyum |
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Manga Achar (Mango Pickle) and Inji (Ginger) along with rice are offered before the deity at the Parvathy Parameswara Temple at Pinarayi in Kannur district for warding off indigestion. |
Annapady |
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An offering of ablution of cooked rice on the sivalinga of the Keralapuram Viswanatha temple at Koduvayur in Palakkad district to get relief from stomach ailments. |
Arachu Kalakki Nivedya |
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A mixture of coconut, ginger and curd offered to the deity of the Annapoorneswari temple at Cherukunnu in Kannur district and served as prasada (sanctified food) to the devotees for getting relief from stomach ailments. |
Chamaya Vilakku |
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A unique offering at Kottankulangara Bhagavathy temple in Kollam district. Here men are dressed a females and offer Thalapoli before the Goddess Bhagavathy. |
Chenkal Thozhal |
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Worshipping with children below one year before the deity at the Aniyur Durga Temple at Sreekaryam in Thiruvananthapuram district. The offering is performed by the couples who have worshipped the deity for progeny. |
Iratty and Thadi |
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Offering at the Karthyani Temple, Cherthala in Alappuzha District. Iratty is Sarkara Payasam (porridge of rice, ghee and jiggery). Thadi is a peculiar offering made with a mixture of rice flour, jiggery, coconut, ginger etc. covered by a sheath of areca nut frond and baked in an oven made for the purpose in sand. Coconut shells are used as fuel for baking. |
Kaduku Samarpana |
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This is an offering of Kaduku (mustard) before the deity at the Annapoorneswari temple at Cherukunnu in Kannur district to avoid menace of ants. |
Kallum Meenum |
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Kallu (toddy) and Meen (fish) are favourite offering at the Muthappan Temple, Parassanikadavu in Kannur district for fulfillment of desires. |
Koova Payasam |
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An offering at Thurayil Bhagavathy Temple of Kozhikode district which is a special porridge with arrow-root. |
Kudukka Choru |
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Rice cooked in 101 small earthen pots and served to the monkeys after offered to the deity at the Vallikkattu Kavu of Thalakulathur in Kozhikode district. This offering is for progeny. |
Manjal Payasam |
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An offering at the Garuda Temple in Malappuram district for Sarpadosha (difficulties due to visitation of serpents). The offering is a special pudding using turmeric as one of the major ingredients. |
Mooda Nivdya |
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An offering to the Lord Subramanya at Panmana in Kollam district. It is a mixture of rice, plantain, salt, jaggery covered with spathe of areca nut palm and hay. |
Moodappa Seva |
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An offering at the Anantheswara Vinayaka Temple at Madhur in Kasaragod District. The deity (Lord Ganapathy) is covered with appam made of rice, ghee and honey up to His neck. The offering is done very rarely. In order to prepare this offering about 150 Kg. rice is required. |
Mukkudi |
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A special Ayurvedic prasadam (sanctified food) issued to devotees at the Dhanwanthari Temple, Nelluvai and Koodal Manikyam Temple, Irinjalakuda in Thrissur district. At Nelluvai Temple, Mukkudi is a mixture of curd, turmeric powder, pepper and salt which is considered as a remedy for all kind of ailments. At Irinjalakuda temple it is a secret combination for warding off indigestion. |
Narathala |
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A mixture of cooked rice and coconut offered to the deity at the Narasimha temple, Aimanam in Kottayam district to cure children from asthma. |
Pappadam Podikkal |
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Pappadam podikkal means breaking of wafers made of black gram with leg to cure corn disease in leg. This offering is performed at the Irunilamcode Siva Temple (cave temple) in the Thrissur district. |
Rudhira Kalam |
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An offering at the Durga Temple at Thiruvilanjal in Alappuzha district for getting relief from stomach ailments. It is a mixture of raw rice, green gram, pepper, ginger, salt and turmeric. |
Sayana Pradikshina |
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Devotional rolling of devotees by lying around the temple in clock-wise direction |
Thamara Mala |
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An offering to get good monsoon season and to avoid disasters due to torrential rains. |
Valla Sadya |
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Grand feast offered at the Parthasarathy Temple, Aranmula by the devotees during Onam festival season in connection with the snake boat race at the Snake-boat race at Aranmula. The feast has more than 64 varieties of dishes. |
Vazhuthana Nedyam |
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Offering of Vazhuthana (brinjal) at the Koodal Manikyam temple at Irinjalakuda in Thrissur district to cure stomach ailment. |
Vellari Nedyam |
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An offering of Vellari (cucumber) at the Parthasarathy Temple at Manjeswar (for fulfillment of desires), Dhanwanthari Temple at Anaykal in Thrissur district and Garudan Kavu Temple in Malappuram district (for curing skin diseases) |
Uruli Kamazhthal |
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An offering performed by the married couple at Mannarsala to have children. The couple used to pray before the Valiyamma (grandmother) of the Illam and after obtaining permission a Uruli (brass vessel) on the main entrance of the shrine. Subsequently, the Valiyamma place the Uruli upside down in the Nilavara (Cellar). It is believed that the ladies will become pregnant within 41 days of the function. After the birth of child, the couple should go to the temple with their child and perform special poojas and the Uruli that kept upside down in the Nilavara will be placed straight position that marks the culmination of the offering. |
Beliefs behind certain offerings
Feeding tortoise at the Adukkath Bhagavathy temple in Kasargode district helps to cure skin diseases.
Taking bath after spreading the mixture of rice and horse gram in the temple tank at Parthasarathy temple at Mujangavu near Kumbala in Kasaragode district removes warts and moles from the body.
Dhara offering at Vaidyanatha temple near Taliparamba in Kannur district is considered as a remedy for leprosy and blindness.
Oil offered to the deity at the Vaidyanatha temple (Oorpazhachi Kavu) at Edakkad in Kannur district is good for skin diseases.
Offering fireworks at Kappattu Kavu at Chelora Panhayat in Kannur district helps to eradicate hearing problems.
Aval nivedya (offering of beaten rice) to Lord Hanuman at Alathiyur in Malappuram district provides sound sleep without distressed dreams.
Prasadam (sanctified food) of Siva Temple at Thiruvizha in Alappuzha district and Kattumadam Mana temple in Malappuram district has medicinal properties to cure mental problems due to consumption of contaminated or poisoned food.
Offering Kadali plantain to Lord Siva at Killikurussimangalam in Palakkad district helps dumb devotees speak.
Oil offered to the deity at Thrikkangode Randu Moorthy temple at Vaniyamkulam Panchayat in Palakkad district and Bhasma (sacred ash) to Lord Siva at Perumthitta temple near Guruvayur inThrissur district has powers to cure epilepsy and mental disorders.
Offering ghee in a kindi (metal goblet with a spout) at the Rayiranellur Durga Temple in Palakkad district enables to get male child.
Gingely oil of Guruvayur Sri Krishna temple at Thrissur cures rheumatic problems.
Thrimadhuram offering to Lord Siva at the Pothani Siva Temple at Padiyur in Thrissur district and offering Kadali plantain at the Narsimha temple at Vazhenkada in Malappuram district would eradicate stuttering and speech impediment.
Bhajanam (regular worship for specific period) at Chottanikkara Bhagavathy temple in Ernakulam district has effect of curing hysteria.
Water in the tank of Sri Rama Temple at TV Puram in Kottayam district possesses medicinal properties to cure rat poison. (Now there is no tank and hence water the temple well is used).
Thrimadhuram offering of Saraswathy Temple at Panachikkad in Kottayam district improves memory power.
Black ointment taken from the upper cap of the lamp at Kumaranelloor Bhagavathy temple in Kottayam district is a medicine for ophthalmic diseases.
Worship at Adithyapuram Soorya temple in Kottayam district would cure skin diseases and ophthalmic problems.
Cooked rice and Thal (tender stem of Yam) offered to the deity of Dhanwathari temple at Maruthorvattom in Alappuzha district is a remedy for stomach disorders.
Oil known as Valiya Enna of Sastha Temple at Thakazhy in Alappuzha district is a medicine for physical ailments especially rheumatic problems, T.B. and jaundice. It is a compound of 84 Ayurvedic plants small quantity of opium and a good number of oils.
Offering of betel leaves, breaking of coconut to Bhoothanatha at the Sri Krishna Temple at Evoor in Alappuzha district cures epilepsy and insanity
Offering Kadali plantain to Goddess Durga of Pandavan Kavu Temple at Muthukulam in Alappuzha district has medical effects to cure rheumatic diseases.
Offering Sarkara Payasam (porridge with rice and jiggery) to the Goddess Bhadrakali (Durga) at the Devi Temple at Malayalapuzha in Pathanamthitta district enables to get back stolen materials.
Prasadam (sanctified food) of Palliyar Devi Temple (Chilanthi Ambalam) at Kodumon in Kollam district cures any type of spider poison.
Chandanam (sandal paste) and holy water of Sastha temple of Achankovil in Kollam district is a medicine for snake poison.
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