Worshiping murtis in the evening

[Sirona]

Namaste,

I‘d like to know your view(s) on whether it is recommendable or inauspicious to worship murtis (especially Vishnu and Krishna) after sundown, given the fact that in some places the sun sets very early in winter. I do know that it is better to get up from bed before sunrise and worship early in the morning, but to be honest, I’m more of a “night owl” kind of person. As I understood their teachings, the Hare Krishnas disapprove of worshiping murtis (late) in the evening, because they believe this time is ruled by Shiva. I also read it was good to worship Kali at midnight, which made some “sense” to me, but is not an option to me in terms of spirituality and practicability.

Looking forward to your comments.

 

[Vinayaka]

Namaste,

I‘d like to know your view(s) on whether it is recommendable or inauspicious to worship murtis (especially Vishnu and Krishna) after sundown, given the fact that in some places the sun sets very early in winter. I do know that it is better to get up from bed before sunrise and worship early in the morning, but to be honest, I’m more of a “night owl” kind of person. As I understood their teachings, the Hare Krishnas disapprove of worshiping murtis (late) in the evening, because they believe this time is ruled by Shiva. I also read it was good to worship Kali at midnight, which made some “sense” to me, but is not an option to me in terms of spirituality and practicability.

Looking forward to your comments.

I know of no Hindu temple that closes at dusk. This is the first I've heard of such a thing, but then I don't get out much.

 

[Jainarayan]

My temple chants the Sri Vishnu Sahasranama at 6 pm. At 6:30 is Sri Guruvāyūrappan aarti and seeveli. At 7 pm is the Mangala Aarti at the Satyanarayana Swami sanctum, followed by the Satyanarayana Swami abhishekam on Thursday. So yeah, lots of Vishnu stuff going on in the evening.

 

[Aupmanyav]

I know of no Hindu temple that closes at dusk. This is the first I've heard of such a thing, but then I don't get out much.

Many Vaishnava temples close the door of (what I should call) 'Darshan Pedhi' at dusk after the 'Shayana Aarti' (worship before the deities (Vishnu/Krishna, Lakshmi/Radha) are supposed to have retired for the night). Shiva temples close late at night, when the priest retires for the night. IMHO, there must be some ritual associated with that too, some last 'archana'.

 

[Vinayaka]

Many Vaishnava temples close the door of (what I should call) 'Darshan Pedhi' at dusk after the 'Shayana Aarti' (worship before the deities (Vishnu/Krishna, Lakshmi/Radha) are supposed to have retired for the night). Shiva temples close late at night, when the priest retires for the night. IMHO, there must be some ritual associated with that too, some last 'archana'.

Yes, there is 'closing of doors', (moolasthanam door) and often a return of the key to Bhairava, who stands guard inside the temple door.

 

[Aupmanyav]

Amusing, no? Handing over the responsibility to Bhairava. Yeah, no one will triffle with him.

Indian Bhairava and the Tibetan Bhairava.

At a Delhi Bhairava temple, it is customary to offer wine, which the poor people drink as prasada. It is an old temple supposed to have existed since the time of Pandavas.

 

[Jainarayan]

At closing time the priests go to each sanctum, ring their hand bell and make some offering(s). I think it's just incense and the flame, and some mantras and mudras. They do this earlier in the evening also, but at the last one they close the sanctums' or shrines' curtains and doors. I've never seen what happens with the keys, There is a small Kalabhairava murti on the same (east) wall as the doors but not really near the doors.

Btw, I forgot to add... the temple daily schedule shows 08:15 pm Ratri Puja (Attazha Puja). I'm going to guess that Attazha is Tamil for evening/night, as Ratri is Sanskrit and Hindi for evening/night. The temple closes at 8:30 pm.

 

[Vinayaka]

At closing time the priests go to each sanctum, ring their hand bell and make some offering(s). I think it's just incense and the flame, and some mantras and mudras. They do this earlier in the evening also, but at the last one they close the sanctums' or shrines' curtains and doors. I've never seen what happens with the keys, There is a small Kalabhairava murti on the same (east) wall as the doors but not really near the doors.

Bhairava's position is so he can see the devotees and watch most of the temple activities. He's often just to the right of the door, as you enter.

It reminds me of my youth when I worked in a tavern. The main door was to the east as well, and there was a bar table just inside to the right. The regular who inhabited the closest chair to the door most of the day and part of the night was a small withered man named Charlie, who would drink about 3 beers in 8 hours, and brought a flask full of whiskey on special days just to share with friends. The owner tolerated the illegality of that cause he was such a regular. But because of his position at the door he knew everything there was to know about the place. So if somebody in town was looking for somebody who was known to frequent the place, they'd just ask Charlie, and he'd tell them. He was in his late 80s if I remember right, and he got a cab down there from the old folks home.
One day he rented a room in the hotel, which was unusual, saying, "I'd like to stay here a bit." On the third night there he passed.

 

[Jainarayan]

Bhairava's position is so he can see the devotees and watch most of the temple activities. He's often just to the right of the door, as you enter.

In "our" case, he's to the left as you walk in. It's not even a shrine, just a small niche, but instead of a recessed niche, it juts from the wall. When I read about his placement and function in a temple I was surprised that ours deviates so much.

On the third night there he passed.

 

[Vinayaka]

In "our" case, he's to the left as you walk in. It's not even a shrine, just a small niche, but instead of a recessed niche, it juts from the wall. When I read about his placement and function in a temple I was surprised that ours deviates so much.

Could be a Sri Vaishnava difference, I wouldn't know.

 

[Jainarayan]

Could be a Sri Vaishnava difference, I wouldn't know.

True! It's a Vishnu temple after all.

 

[Vinayaka]

True! It's a Vishnu temple after all.

Bhairava, in Saivism, is considered an aspect of Siva, so yeah, I can see Sri Vaishnava temples giving it less prominence.

 

[Aupmanyav]

One day he rented a room in the hotel, which was unusual, saying, "I'd like to stay here a bit." On the third night there he passed.

Perhaps he is still around. Good old Charlie with his beer.
Yes, Bhairava is an aspect of Lord Shiva.
In a Vaishnava temple, the prominence will be given to Lord Garuda.

 

[Jainarayan]

In a Vaishnava temple, the prominence will be given to Lord Garuda.

Funny you mention that, because in our temple, there is a shrine for Lord Garuda on the right side of the wall with the main doors. The shrine faces Sri Venkateshwara in the same way Nandishwara faces Sri Shiva, but not as close. I was told that if you turn your back to Garuda, he will never forgive that slight. Lord Vishnu will forgive anything, but Garuda will not. Given that they're actually separated by the entire temple floor, it's hard to not have your back to him when facing Sri Venkateshwara. Being a superstitious man, I try to angle myself in a way my back is not towards Garuda; even then I turn my head to acknowledge him. I don't need any deities pissed off at me, my life is difficult enough.