What the common sevas mean, and what to expect. The names, order and booking rules differ between temples, so please check with the temple office.
Customs differ by family and region. Please treat this as a guide, and follow your family's practice or your priest where they differ.
The early morning hymn that awakens the deity and begins the temple's day.
The priest recites the deity's names, usually 108, while offering flowers or kumkum. He often says your name, gotram and nakshatram. This is the simplest seva to request.
The ritual bathing of the deity, with water and items such as milk, curd, honey, sandalwood and turmeric, while mantras are chanted. Rudrabhishekam is the form performed for Lord Shiva.
Decorating the deity with clothes, jewels and flowers.
Worship of the Goddess by offering kumkum with her names. It is often done on Fridays and during Navaratri.
Worship with the deity's thousand names, such as the Vishnu or Lalitha Sahasranamam.
The celebration of the divine wedding of the deity with the consort, conducted like a traditional wedding. Devotees can often sponsor it as a family.
Offerings made into a consecrated fire with mantras. Common ones include Ganapati homam, Navagraha homam and Sudarshana homam.
A procession in which the festival idol is carried on a vahanam, such as Garuda or Hanuman, during festivals and brahmotsavams.
Devotees receive the lamp's blessing by passing their hands over the flame, then receive holy water and blessed food.