Tag Pooja

Upachaaras Five Ten Sixty Four Offering To God

But the import of the word is 'welcoming, making one comfortable, saying things that ere agreeable, offering that are close to one's heart'

In Hindu tradition God is offered all these as we would one who visits our home.

There are strict rules for this.

There are different Upacharas.

Five-Panchopachara,

Six-Shadopachaara,

Shodosupachaara-Sixty four.

Some opt for the Ten Upachaaaras.

Of these the sixty-four are practiced in temples, while Five or six are at Homes.

In some texts, Snana or Bathing is taken as a Upachaara, while in some the other Upachaaras are done after the Bath(Snana)

It may be noted that these procedures are not prescribed by the Vedas.

These are later developments set by Smritis and for Temples in the Agama Shastra.

A. Pancha Upachaara.

In Hinduism, Deities are bathed daily and they go through the daily routine of Man,

Every morning, around 4.30 am this Pooja is performed.

This is also called the Ushat Kala Pooja.

The screen separating the Deity and the Devotees are removed and the Deity offers Darshan with the Dress and Ornaments of the earlier day.

Then the screen is closed.

A detailed Bathing Ritual follows.

1.Danda Dhavanam-Brushing the Teeth.The Deity's teeth are brushed( Symbolic) with Neem Stick while the DandaDhavana Mantra is recited.

2.Removal of the earlier dress.