Temple Rituals Explained: Pradakshina, Archana, and Abhishekam

Pradakshina (Circumambulation)

Pradakshina is the practice of walking clockwise around the deity or temple.

Significance

• Represents keeping the deity at the center of your life
• Symbolizes the cosmic movement of planets around the Sun
• Helps focus the mind and build devotion
• The temple's sanctum sanctorum radiates energy that you absorb during pradakshina

How to Perform

1. Walk slowly with folded hands or in prayer
2. Move clockwise, keeping the deity to your right
3. Typically done in odd numbers: 1, 3, 5, 7, or more
4. Some temples have specific pradakshina paths

Specific Pradakshina Counts

• Lord Ganesha: 1 or 3
• Lord Shiva: Half (up to the abhisheka drain, then return)
• Lord Vishnu: 4
• Goddess temples: 3
• Navagraha: 9

Archana (Offering Service)

Archana is a personalized worship service where the priest recites your name, birth star (nakshatra), and gotra while offering prayers.

What Happens During Archana

• You provide your name, nakshatra, and gotra to the priest
• The priest chants mantras invoking the deity
• Offerings (flowers, fruits) are made on your behalf
• You receive prasadam (blessed offerings)

Types of Archana

• Sahasranama Archana: Chanting 1000 names of the deity
• Ashtothara Archana: Chanting 108 names
• Regular Archana: Basic prayer with your details

Abhishekam (Sacred Bath)

Abhishekam is the ritual bathing of the deity with sacred substances.

Common Abhishekam Materials

• Water: Purification
• Milk: Nourishment and prosperity
• Curd/Yogurt: Fertility and abundance
• Honey: Sweet speech and relationships
• Ghee: Wisdom and spiritual knowledge
• Sugar: Happiness
• Coconut water: Purity
• Sandalwood paste: Cooling and calming
• Turmeric: Auspiciousness

Significance

Participating in or sponsoring an abhishekam is considered highly meritorious. The substances used to bathe the deity become prasadam and carry the deity's blessings.

Other Common Rituals

Aarti (Light Offering)

Waving of lit lamps before the deity. Symbolizes removing darkness (ignorance) with light (knowledge).

Pushpanjali (Flower Offering)

Offering flowers while chanting mantras. Each flower represents an aspect of devotion.

Deepam (Lighting Lamps)

Lighting oil lamps, especially with ghee or sesame oil. Associated with dispelling negativity.

Prasadam

Blessed food offered to the deity and distributed to devotees. Receiving and consuming prasadam is considered receiving divine grace.

Temple Etiquette

• Dress modestly and appropriately
• Remove footwear before entering
• Maintain silence or speak softly
• Avoid pointing feet toward the deity
• Follow temple-specific rules
• Respect the queue and other devotees