Narayan Ravi - Mumbai

Pavanapuresha-Series

Pavanapuresha series part 5: Daily Temple rituals & their significance:

On a Guruvayur Ekadasi Day, Adi Sankara,was flying through the skies with Narada. Narada said that he was on his way to Guruvayur & that Sankara too must pay his respects to the Lord. Sankara did not heed Narada's advice. So he continued ahead, but soon fell down to the ground. There is still a square hole in the ceiling (in line with the statue of Sankara) that testifies to the impact of Sri Sankara's fall. Guruvayurappa appeared before Sankara & said that Sankara should spend 41 days at Guruvayur in meditation and draw up a plan for the daily worship at the temple.

The Srikovil opens at 3 am. This is the Nirmalya/Viswarupa Darsan where the Lord is still adorned with the flowers & garlands of the previous day. After this, the Lord is bathed with sesame (til) oil, water poured from a shankha and pot, after which the oil is removed using the bark of the 'vaka' tree. This ritual is called 'Vakacharthu'.

This is followed by the Usha puja & Etrittu puja. When the Srikovil opens again, the Utsava Vigraha is taken out in procession on an elephant 3 times around the temple. 12 lighted silver lamps are held in front of the deity. The Melsanti or head priest leads the procession in the first round, making offerings at each of the 'Bali kallu' or 'sacrificial stones'. The Lord stands witness as offerings are made to these 'Bali kallus' as they represent the various gods & demigods. This whole ritual is called 'Siveli' in Malayalam (Sribali in Sanskrit).

The Abhishekam after this is done with milk - representing the Govindabhisheka performed by Indra. This is followed by Navakabhishekam - with sanctified water filled in 9 silver pots. After this the Panthiradi Puja & naivedyam is performed, followed by Ucha (midday) puja after which the temple is closed. Siveli is conducted again when the temple reopens. At dusk, deeparadhana is performed. After the night (Athazha) puja, a grand Siveli is taken out. The Keezhusanthi (subordinate priest) sits on a single decorated elephant in the first 3 rounds,holding the Utsava Vigraha) led by the Melsanthi. After this 3 decorated ones stand ready (the tallest one in the middle) for the next round. The Keezhusanthi sits on the middle one holding the 'Thidambu' or a U-shaped gold plated engraving of the beautiful 2-handed Krishna.

Behind him sits a boy holding a decorated umbrella, followed by 2 boys holding 'chamaram' (white fur fans) & 'Alavattam' (peacock feather fans). 3 boys similarly sit on the other 2 elephants. These 3 elephants take 1 full round, accompanied by music. Lastly, the middle elephant takes 1 more round around the temple & the Siveli is complete. This is called 'Kazhcha Siveli' - kazhcha meaning 'grand spectacle'. Post this, 9 sweet-smelling herbs are burnt in a pot/tray & the temple is fumigated with these. This is called Thrippuka (Thiru meaning holy & puka meaning smoke), after which the temple is closed. May the merciful Madhava bless one and all.

Hare Krishna