Thread by @anbezhil12

#Shodasa_Upacharam 16 Step puja worship. Worshipping Gods and Goddesses with 16 rituals is known as Shodashopachara Puja. Upachar means service. There are 16 upachars to be executed for worship. It is usually rendered with the vedic chantings. The main purpose of this type of

Puja is two-fold. Primarily it is to uplift the five senses of the worshiper and by doing so elevate him to a higher level of consciousness that will promote good thoughts and actions. Secondarily it draws upon the Indian traditions of honouring a guest, wherein each upachara is

a service to the deity who takes presence in the vigragham for the duration of the Puja.
1. Dhyaana – Meditating on the deity that is being invoked.
2. Aavaahana – Inviting the deity into the altar.
3. Aasana – Giving the deity a seat.
4. Paadya – Washing the deity’s feet with

clean water.
5. Arghya – Offering the deity water to rinse hands and mouth.
6. Aachamana – Offering the deity water to drink.
7. Snaana – Bathing the deity with various auspicious items.
8. Vasthra – Dressing the deity in clean clothes.
9. Yagnopaveetha – Offering the deity a

clean sacred thread.
10. Gandha – Spreading fresh sandalwood paste on the deity.
11. Pushpa – Offering fresh flowers while chanting the deity’s names.
12. Dhoopa – Spreading incense smoke throughout the altar.
13. Deepa – Waving a lamp to illuminate the freshly decorated deity.

14. Naivedya – Offering the deity food.
15. Taambula ­– Offering the deity a refreshing mix of betel nut and leaves.
16. Pradakshina & Namaskara – Circumambulating the altar and bidding farewell to the deity.
Among these 16 services, 5 hold more importance than the rest. Together

these 5 services are referred to as the pancha – upacharas, and include gandha, pushpa, dhoopa, deepa, and naivedya. Collectively, these five services engage the five senses. Gandha – Touch Sandalwood paste cools the skin and is a natural insect repellant. Pushpa – Hearing The

recitation of the deity’s names that accompanies each flower engages the ears. Dhoopa – Smell Incense envelops the entire temple with a refreshing fragrance for the nose. Deepa – Sight The lamp illuminates the deity and brings out the beauty of the icon to the eyes.

Naivedya – Taste Food that has been offered to the deity is eaten and entices the taste buds. Shodasha upachara pooja is a standard practice in temples and also at home on special occasions. The general articles of Shodasa upachara Set are kudai, kannadi, visiri, vensamaram.

In temples while special/key aarthis are done Shodasa upachara Set are used. The shodasha upacharas are similar for Vishnu and Siva temples with variations in the forms of the objects used. This puja is performed during the evening time in the temple of Kedarnath. This puja has

16 mantras included in it which is chanted during the puja. Benefits of Puja: This puja helps the devotees to fulfil their desires. It also gives them relief from sins and removes evil forces from their life. It also helps in removing health related problems and hurdles affecting

the life of the devotees. It increases the spiritual strength of the devotees and helps in bringing positive energy in the life of the devotees. Let us try to participate in this puja whenever possible. Sarvam Sri Krishnarpanam 🙏🏻

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