Seva Opportunities
PLEASE NOTE:
All cheques and DD's should be in favor of Srivinivas Saligrama Devasthanam Trust (80G exemption)
Andhra Bank A/C No. 027311100002573 || IFSC Code: ANDB0000273 Jayanagar Branch, Bangalore - 560011
All cheques and DD's should be in favor of Srivinivas Saligrama Devasthanam Trust (80G exemption)
Andhra Bank A/C No. 027311100002573 || IFSC Code: ANDB0000273 Jayanagar Branch, Bangalore - 560011
Every Friday Abhisheka Seva (Sacred bath) is offered to Sri Saligrama Srinivasa, the Moola Virat (Main Deity) and for Sri Lakshmi devi. The Abhishekam starts with Sacred holy waters, then with Milk, then with Suddhodakam, Chandanam and other scented articles like powdered Pachcha Karpooram, Saffron paste and drops of civet oil etc., While performing the Abhishekam to the Moola Virat, Purshasukta, Narayanasukta, Srisukta, Bhusuktha, Neelasuktha and selected Pasurams from the Divya Pradbandham are all recited by the priests. Later, the Abhishekam is performed for the image of Goddess Lakshmi on his chest with Turmeric Paste.
Archana refers to the recital of various names of Lord and seeking His divine blessings for the prosperity of the entire humanity. Also known as Sahasranamarchana, this arjitha seva deals with the recitation of 1008 glorious names of Lord. The important feature of this particular seva is that the divine blessings of Lord are invoked in the Names and Gotras of the grihasta pilgrims who take part in this seva by paying requisite amount.
Ekanta Seva is the last ritual among the daily sevas. Sarvadarsanam comes to a close with Ekanta Seva.
Sri Bhoga Srinivasa Murthi, the silver image of the main deity is placed in a cot and Mantras are chanted and gentle lullabies are sung while Sri Saligrama Srinivasa enters his celestial sleep, and the Lord is offered a majestic karpura harati.
‘Suprabhatam’ is the first and foremost pre-dawn seva performed in the temple of Sri Saligrama Srinivasa. This ritual is performed at Sayana Mandapam inside sanctum sanctorum to wake up the Lord from His celestial sleep, amidst the rhythmic chanting of vedic hymns. Every day in the early hours acharya purushas recite the hymns beginning with ‘Kausalya Supraja Rama Purva Sandhya Pravarthathe’ in front of the main deity. ’Suprabhatam’ is a Sanskrit term which literally means “Good Morning”. This particular hymn consists of four parts including Suprabhatam, Stotram, Prapatti and Mangalasasanam.Suprabhatam – It means the awakening of Lord from His divine sleep and it consists of 29 slokas. Stotram – These are the hymns in praise of Lord, consisting 11 slokas.
The word “Thomala” means a garland of flowers. Hence this arjitha seva assumes importance of decorating the presiding deity with exquisitely tied colorful floral and Tulasi garlands after awakening Him from celestial sleep with Suprabhata Seva.
The flower garlands are made into several pieces and each piece being of a particular size to be adorned to the respective areas to enhance the Divine beauty of Lord in a spectacular manner.
During the daily Thomala Seva, Sri Saligrama Srinivasa is adorned with sweetly scented flower garlands of variety of flowers like rose, chrysanthemum, crossandra, etc. Flowers/ flower garlands may be offered physically, or a monetary contribution.
Every Friday, Abhishekam is performed for the main deity Sri Saligrama Srinivasa and Sri Maha Lakshmi Devi, in with holy river waters, Coconut water, Sandalwood paste, Turmeric, Milk, and Honey. These items can be donated physically at the temple or a monetary contribution can be made towards their purchase: Sandalwood powder, Turmeric powder, Kumkum, Milk, Honey, Coconut water, Dashangam Dhoopam (Incense).
In accordance with the Vaikhanasa Agama Shastra, Sri Saligrama Srinivasa is worshipped with unadulterated cows milk and also is used for performing abhishekam. The cows are an integral part of the temples and their upkeep is one of the prime activities. The milk from these cows is offered to the Lord not only as it is, but also used in a variety of forms to prepare delicious offerings. The milk used for him is obtained exclusively from the temple cow, which is cared for and worshipped by the Temple.You can also sponsor the maintenance of the cows in the Goshala. You can also sponsor the maintenance of the cows in the Goshala.
Every Friday, a new namam (tilak) made of sacred Pachcha Karpooram (edible camphor) and black tailam is offered to the Lord after Abishekam (ritual bath)to the main diety. The first thing a devotee sees upon darshan of the Lord is his namam, then his feet. Devotees may physically offer edible camphor/black tailam or may monetarily make a donation towards the purchase of these items.
The food symbolically stands for our ignorant consciousness, which we place before god for spiritual enlightenment. After he suffuses it with knowledge and light and breathes a new life into our bodies, it makes us divine. When we share the prasad with others, we share the knowledge we thus gained with fellow beings. Sri Saligrama Srinivasa is daily offered cooked naivedyams (variety of food) such as Pulihora (tamarind rice), Dadhojana (yogurt rice), Chakara Pongal (sweet rice), and Ksheera payasam (sweet semolina). After being offered to him, the prasadam (sanctified food) is distributed amongst pilgrims who come for his darshan. Naivedya Danam allows one to sponsor a full day meal offering for Sri Saligrama Srinivasa.
Along with cooked Naivedya preparations, Sri Saligrama Srinivasa is offered fresh fruits such as apples, bananas, oranges, sweet limes, pomegranate, pears, and others. Pilgrims may bring offerings of fresh fruits physically, or may make monetary contributions towards the purchase of them.
According to the Shastras and Puranas, Sri Srinivasa most favorite offering is that of the Tulsi leaf. These leaves are not only highly medicinal but also extremely powerful spiritually. They have the ability to sanctify water, and are considered the most important component of any Saligrama Puja. Offering of Tulsi to Sri Saligrama Srinivasa is truly a privilege and bestows one with immense Punya (merit) and sakala aishwarya (holistic prosperity). Those who wish to offer Tulsi leaves/ Tulsi garland to Sri Saligrama Srinivasa may do so physically at the main shrine or may make an online monetary contribution.
Every Friday after his Abhishekam (ritual bath), Sri Saligrama Srinivasa is adorned with beautiful hand-woven garments, melchat vastram bought and handed over by devotees participating in that seva. The devotees participating in Abhishekam and Vastralankarana Seva are allowed for post-Abhisheka darshan with new saree after offering naivedyam to the Lord. Those who wish to contribute monetarily towards the purchase of Sri Srinivasa garments may do so physically at the Temple or through the online.
Any order for this sponsorship are preferred to be received at least two days before the preferred date of sponsorship. An accurate mailing address must be provided, as the blessed prasadam from the seva will be sent through postal mail. Please be aware that it may take a few weeks to receive the prasadam through post.! Before each Seva is performed in Sri Srinivasa Saligrama Devasthanam, a “sankalpa” is done for sponsored devotees.
