Rirtuals – Ramanisblog

The word Upachara’ in Sanskrit means flattery, when loosely translated.

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-Sixteen.

Chatushshasti-Sixtty 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.

Gandha (Sandal wood paste), Puhspa (Flowers), Dhupa (offering Incense),Deepa(Offering Oil Lamp) and Naivedyam9Food, Fruits)

B.Dasopachaara(Ten)

Padyam (washing the feet) , Arghyam(Washing the Palms), Acamaniyam (Special process of purification with water) ,Madhuparka(Honey ) Acamaniyam ( Done again to purify after the use of hands in drinking) , Gandha,Pushpa,Dhupa, Deepa and Naivedyam .

C .Shodasopachara(16)

1.Asana, Offering of Seat,also called Swagatham, Welcome

2.Padyam,

3.Argyam,

4.Acamaniyam.

5.Madhuparkam,

6.Acamaniyam,

7.Snaneeya,Bathing,

8.Vastram,offering new clothes,

9.Upavitam(offering the Sacred Thread)

10.Alankara,Dressing up,

11.Gandha,

12.Pushpa,

13.Dhupa.

14.Deepa,

15.Naivedyam

16.Pranam,prostrating

D.The Sixty Four Upachaaras.

Early Morning activities:

Waking the deity with vedic verses, praises, instrumental music.
Offering a twig for brushing the teeth.
Offering mangala aratika.
Shouting jaya on seeing the deity.
Offering pranamas to the Lord before entering for puja.

Offering the Main Upacharas:

Inviting the Lord (avahana), offering him a seat (asana), and making him comfortable (svagatam).
Washing the Lord’s feet (padyam).
Offering arghyam as a sign of welcome and respect.
Offering water to wash the mouth (acamaniyam).
Offering madhuparka, then water to wash the mouth.

Offering the Lord shoes so that he may come to the bathing place.
Cleaning the Lord’s body with a damp cloth to remove old chandana etc. (murti samskara).
Rubbing the Lord’s body, especially the head, with fragrant oils.
Bathing the Lord in flower water.
Bathing the Lord in milk.
Bathing the Lord in yogurt.
Bathing the Lord in ghee.
Bathing the Lord in honey.
Bathing the Lord in sugar.
Bathing the Lord in water consecrated with mantras.

Removing oil, ghee, etc, with flour, then warm water.
Wiping the Lords body with a soft, dry cloth (anga vastra).
Dressing the Lord in upper and lower cloth.

Offering gayatri thread (upavita).
Offering achamana again after dressing.

Arranging the Lord’s hair.
Decorating the Lord with bracelets, necklaces, rings etc.
Offering kaustubha and other wonderful jewels.
Offering various colors of clothing, belts, turbans, capes etc.
Offering flowers to the Lord’s lotus feet. Applying gandha to the Lord’s feet with a Tulasi leaf.

Offering incense.
Offering lamps.
Removing inauspicious influences, the glances of evil persons by mustard seeds etc.

Offering naivedyam.
Offering spices (mukha vasa).
Offering betel (tambulam).
Offering a couch for the Lord to relax in.
Offering gandha again and decorating the Lord’s body with tilaka designs.
Offering the Lord a crown.
Offering varieties of flowers and garlands.

Darshana:

Offering a mirror.
Offering chamara and umbrella.
Singing.
Playing instruments.
Dancing.
Offering aratika.
Taking deity to a special mandapa.
Bringing the Lord back to his throne.
Bhoga Offering:

Offering foot wash, mouth wash again.
Offering another meal while burning incense.
Offering betel, then performing aratika.

Concluding Puja:

Recitation of verses (stuti)
Circumabulation of deity (pradakshina)
Pranamas.

Touching ones head at the lotus feet of the Lord (astanga pranama).
The taking charanamrta and flower Prasad on one’s head.
Taking the food remnants of the Lord.

At Night.

Sitting at the feet of the Lord ready for service.
Making a nice bed for the Lord, with soft cloth, flowers and nice scented powders.
Offering ones hand to the Lord, and offering him his shoes, to bring him to the bed.
Receiving the Lord at the bed with great festivity.
Washing the Lord’s feet, then drying them, offering gandha, flowers, betel, condensed milk, fan.
Having the Lord lie down in the bed and massaging his lotus feet.

Ref.

http://www.salagram.net/upacharas.html