Archana Tray variance

[Vinayaka]

This morning two young men came in to the temple with armloads of fruit, flowers, incense ghee honey, etc. Two really large grocery bags each it seemed. Then they go downstairs, find the largest trays available, and manage to stack all this stuff before going upstairs to the temple. I ask, "What's the occasion?" (Usually its a birthday) I get, "Nothing special, we just felt like coming to temple today."

On other occasions I've seen people purchase an archana ticket, no offerings at all. (I've done this myself, on a spur of the moment intuitive thing). Both situations are on the extreme end ... but both are called a simple archana, still $5 at our temple, $11 at most others in North America.

So I'm thinking it's a shining example of diversity. A donation of $1 is the same as a donation of $10 000. A plain ticket it the same as a trayload of goodies going with it. We are so lucky to have such a beautiful religion where priests go, 'Another devotee of God' and leave it at that. The archana process is the same for each, except the one person gets 'back' a single banana and the other gets back a tray of stuff for the devotee to distribute amongst other devotees there. Downstairs, I had a banana, thanks to one of those devotees.

 

[Jainarayan]

$11 at most others in North America.

That's what ours is. I know that only from looking at the fees schedule. I wouldn't know what to do for archana other than bringing a bag of fruits and/or some flowers. I could probably respond to the name and birth star (Shatabisha, and the description suits me) questions, but my family lineage would probably get my Hindu Card® revoked and cancelled.

 

[Vinayaka]

That's what ours is. I know that only from looking at the fees schedule. I wouldn't know what to do for archana other than bringing a bag of fruits and/or some flowers. I could probably respond to the name and birth star (Shatabisha, and the description suits me) questions, but my family lineage would probably get my Hindu Card® revoked and cancelled.

Here, for westerners who don't have a gotra, the priest uses 'Siva Gotra'. It most likely could be Vishnu gotra as well, I presume. You are part of Vishnu's family, no. I guess you'll just have to bring a tray, buy a ticket , and find out what happens, eh?

 

[Jainarayan]

I guess so... nothing ventured, nothing gained. I need all the blessings I can get.

 

[Fireside_Hindu]

I guess so... nothing ventured, nothing gained. I need all the blessings I can get.

When I had archana for the first time I was given "Ram Gotram" Because the presiding deity of the temple was Lord Rama. So I imagine the family lineage depends on the presiding deity or which deity the archana is for.

PS. I'm Shatabisha too! High Five! =)

 

[Jainarayan]

PS. I'm Shatabisha too! High Five! =)

Do you fit the description? I mentioned that I actually do fit mine. The odd thing is that the Indian zodiac puts me in Shatabisha and Kumbha, based on the lat./long. of my birth place. The Western zodiac puts me in Pisces, but I was born in July (Cancer). Or so my mother and family always told me (I do have a birth certificate, unless that was forged... I said my family lineage leaves something to be desired ). I do know that the Indian zodiac is actually more accurate than the Western, due to precession of the equinoxes.

 

[Vinayaka]

The nakshatra changes once every 24 hours or so, whereas the zodiac is once a month. Nakshatras will vary by no more than one when using a nakshatra calculator. I have no idea why although the panchangs must vary slightly, I would presume.

 

[Fireside_Hindu]

Do you fit the description? I mentioned that I actually do fit mine. The odd thing is that the Indian zodiac puts me in Shatabisha and Kumbha, based on the lat./long. of my birth place. The Western zodiac puts me in Pisces, but I was born in July (Cancer). Or so my mother and family always told me (I do have a birth certificate, unless that was forged... I said my family lineage leaves something to be desired ). I do know that the Indian zodiac is actually more accurate than the Western, due to precession of the equinoxes.

I've never really read the descriptions - but the western Zodiac puts me a Capricorn - with a description that is mostly accurate =)

 

[Vinayaka]

What people bring to the temple in general is quite interesting. Right now, because of landscaping, I see many people come and go. Lots of out of province plates too. I just pick a few flowers from the temple garden beds. You have to deadhead roses anyway, what's a day ahead of time for the Gods?

 

[Aupmanyav]

On other occasions I've seen people purchase an archana ticket, no offerings at all.

It is 'archana ticket' which amuses me, not the 'no offering' (one surely offers his/her devotion). South Indian tradition.

.. but my family lineage would probably get my Hindu Card® revoked and cancelled.

No one can revoke your Hindu Card unless you desire it to be so.

 

[Jainarayan]

It is 'archana ticket' which amuses me, not the 'no offering' (one surely offers his/her devotion). South Indian tradition. No one can revoke your Hindu Card unless you desire it to be so.

Oh I know, that was just my weird sense of humor.

 

[Vinayaka]

I fail to see what's amusing about an archana ticket. Maybe Aup can explain.

 

[Aupmanyav]

Why not worship the God and Goddess yourself at your own place? Deities are omnipresent. Yes, we used to ask our people in Jodhpur to conduct 'abhishekam' at our temple on our behalf but that did not involve purchasing a ticket. 'Ticket' is a bit too commercial.

 

[Vinayaka]

Whether its commercial or not is irrelevant. It's the practice in South India, and South Indian style temples in west. I don't know the origins, but since its so standard I just accept it. Archana is done for free in many places too. But the ticket, for busy priests, is also an indicator that an archana is wished to be done. Same with the term 'Hindu'. It has an origin of some sort, and various people don't like that. But since it is common practice, why not just accept it? Of the millions of worshipers, only a few would regularly purchase an archana. I view it very much like an introduction to another person. If Modi came to your house, and you had something to say to him, wouldn't you like to be introduced first? But then for an atheist, an introduction to God wouldn't really make any sense.

 

[Fireside_Hindu]

My understanding of the "ticket" system was just that is made things easier for the priest. He can keep track of who is having an archana done during busy days and who is not. It's not like a ticket you take at a deli. Also, it helps temple managment track the size of the devotee population, which is important in the US for small/growing communities so they can plan for large celebrations

 

[Aupmanyav]

I never said it was wrong, I said it was amusing, because we do not have this system in North India (perhaps we will have it sooner or later with more and more things going on web. Don't we have astrology on the web?). South (or the diaspora) is welcome to do things in the way they like and find convenient.

What we had in North India was the 'pandā system', I am sure it is there in south India also. Pandās are brahmins at places of pilgrimage.They were/are generational travel, religious agents and service providers. Every family or community had its own 'pandā'. They would provide religious services (Shrāddha or other rituals), arrange or provide accommodation, arrange or provide food; and would be compensated by gifts or money.

If someone wanted a ritual to be performed in Mārtand (Mattan in case of Kashmiris, famous for its sun temple), Haridwar, Garh Mukteshwar, Prayāg, Vārānasi or Gayā (that is where North Indians generally went), they could write to their pandā there and he would perform it for the family. A pandā will not provide services to individuals or communities to which he is not contracted (because that led to turf-wars), but will direct the person to his family pandā. They were custodians of the free community accommodation (Dharmashalas) which were got constructed by the moneyed for their community. The books of pandās will have entry for many generations of their clients (Yajaman).

Pandās were smart people. If the family did not make a religious visit any year, they would come once a year to bless the family, stay at their Yajaman's place, be feted and gifted (as a retainer and for spreading favorable bytes for the family in the community).

Mārtand temple, Kāshmir; Pandās and their books, a woman making an entry in the pandā's book. They use long lasting Indian black ink. Pandā records have been accepted by Indian court as evidence in case of property disputes.

 

[Vinayaka]

Beautiful temple, Aup. Was it destroyed by the invaders?

 

[Aupmanyav]

The temple was completely destroyed on the orders of Muslim ruler Sikandar Butshikan in the early 15th century, with demolition lasting a year.

Ruins of the Surya Temple at Martand, was taken by John Burke in 1868 (Information from Wikipedia)

Avantiswamy temple, Avantipora, Kashmir. Wikipedia says it was destroyed by an earthquake, but all sculptures are defaced.

 

[Vinayaka]

One of about 100 000, sadly. Looks like it was once a strikingly beautiful temple. It's pretty clear they didn't get to conquer and destroy all the way down to Kanyakumari.

 

[Jainarayan]

My understanding of the "ticket" system was just that is made things easier for the priest. He can keep track of who is having an archana done during busy days and who is not. It's not like a ticket you take at a deli. Also, it helps temple managment track the size of the devotee population, which is important in the US for small/growing communities so they can plan for large celebrations

From what I've observed, the priest will call out "archana?" before a puja. A family will approach him with fruits and a yellow ticket. I think I've only seen a tray or basket once... usually the fruits are brought in plastic shopping bags. I'll have to pay closer attention to what is done, when and how.