Temple worship and Rituals as per Shaiva Agamas

by Gayathri Balasubramanian | 2009 | 130,529 words

Hinduism Shaivism

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Summary: This essay studies Temple worship and Rituals as per Shaiva Agamas.—ancient scriptures governing the worship of Lord Shiva. Through a detailed study of these Saiva Agamas, the study examines the origins, purpose, methods, techniques and import of temple rituals, highlighting their significant roles in spiritual and social contexts. The thesis further traces the historical roots of Shaivism, discussing various cults and the philosophical aspects of these practices.

Source 1: exoticindiaart.com
Source 2: shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in

Contents of this online book ( + / - )

The full text of the Temple worship and Rituals as per Shaiva Agamas in English is available here and publically accesible (free to read online). Of course, I would always recommend buying the book so you get the latest edition. You can see all this book’s content by visiting the pages in the below index:

Warning! This document has not been proofread. However, for each page you can (and should) verify the text with the original source PDF file.

Acknowledgement

List of Figures

+ Chapter 1 - Introduction

. Part 1 - Introduction to Shaivism

. Part 2 - Shaivism in Indus Valley Civilization

. Part 3 - Concept of Rudra in Vedic period

. Part 4 - Description of Shiva in Epics

. Part 5.1 - The Kapala and Kalamukha schools of Shaivism

. Part 5.2 - The Pashupata schools of Shaivism

. Part 5.3.1 - The Kashmir school of Shaivism

. Part 5.3.2 - The Virashaivism school of Shaivism

. Part 5.3.3 - The Shaiva Siddhanta school of Shaivism

. Part 6 - Agama—Its meaning and philosophy

. Part 7 - Meaning and scope of Rituals

. Part 8 - Shaiva practices in general

. Part 9 - Antiquity of Temples and Shaiva rituals

. Part 10 - Rituals in Vedas—Introduction

. Part 11.1 - Temples rituals metioned in the Dharma-shastras

. Part 11.2 - The ritual of Punah-Pratishtha (Reconsecration)

. Part 11.3 - The ritual of Jirnoddhara (Rehabilitating old or dilapidated temples)

. Part 11.4 - Devapuja (Shiva worship mentioned in Dharmasastra)

. Part 11.5 - The ritual of Pancamrita-snana (bathing with five ambrosial things)

. Part 11.6 - Rules for Anulepana and Gandha

. Part 11.7 - Tambula after Naivedya as per Dharmasutras

. Part 12 - Role of Shaivagama (literary and archaelogical evidence)

. Part 13 - Rituals versus Development of Shaiva temple art and architecture

+ Chapter 2 - Temple and its Components

. Part 1 - Introduction—The various Temple components

. Part 2 - The Gopura (temple town gate)

. Part 3 - The Dhavajastambha (temple deity flag or symbol)

+ Chapter 3 - Temple Rituals

. Part 1.1 - The ritual of Ankurarpana (Sprouting of seeds)

. Part 1.2 - The ritual of Mrit-sangrahana (Sprouting of seeds)

. Part 1.3 - The ritual of Agnikarya (Fire-Ritual)

. Part 2.1 - The ritual of Desha-Nirdesha (Description of sites)

. Part 2.2 - The ritual of Bhu-pariksha (Examination of sites)

. Part 2.3 - The ritual of Praveshabali (offering to the deity)

. Part 2.4 - Karshana-vidhi (the rite of ploughing)

. Part 2.5 - Vastupuja-vidhi (worship of the site)

. Part 2.6 - The ritual of Adhyeshtaka-sthapana (placing of the first bricks)

. Part 2.7 - The ritual of Murdheshtaka-sthapana (placing of top stones)

. Part 3.1 - The Consecration ritual (Pratishtha-vidhi)—Introduction

. Part 3.2 - The Linga-pratishtha-vidhi (installation of Linga)

. Part 3.3 - The Laksna-uddhara-vidhi (drawing the marks)

. Part 3.4 - The Retreat ritual (Adhivasa)

. Part 3.5 - The ritual of Pavilion decoration (Mandapa-alankara)

. Part 3.6 - Preparation of the Sthandila and the couch

. Part 3.7 - Worship in the fire pits (Agni-kunda)

. Part 3.8 - Installation of water pots (Kumbha-sthapana)

. Part 3.9 - Oblation with touch (Sparsha-huti)

. Part 3.10 - Plenary oblation (Purna-huti)

. Part 3.11 - Placing gems in the Brahmashila

. Part 3.12 - Ashta-bandhana-vidhi

. Part 3.13 - Ablution with Water of the pots

. Part 4 - Daily rituals (Nitya-puja)

. Part 5.1 - The festival of Krittika Dipa

. Part 5.2 - The Dolotsava or swing festival

. Part 5.3 - Arudra in Marghasirsa, Tiruvadirai festival

. Part 5.4 - Spring festival (Vasanta-Ustava)

. Part 5.5 - Margashirsha Ghritakambala offering

. Part 5.6 - The Shivratri Puja festival

. Part 5.7 - Uttaraphalguni in Phalguni

. Part 5.8 - Damanotsva in Chaitra

. Part 5.9 - Mula in Jyeshtha month

. Part 5.10 - Ashada in Purva Phalguni

. Part 5.11 - Vaishakha month Shita-kumbha (cool ablution)

. Part 5.12 - Shravan month Pavitrotsavam

. Part 5.13 - The Grand Festival (mahotsavam)

. Part 5.14 - The Dhvajarohana Festival (hoisting of flag)

. Part 6 - Expiatory Rituals (Prayashcitta)

. Part 7 - Description of Renovation Rituals (Jirnoddhara)

+ Chapter 4 - Domestic and Personal rituals

. Part 1 - Introduction

. Part 2.1 - Punyavacana Vidhi, Ankurarpana and Agnikarya

. Part 2.2 - Snana Vidhi (ritual bathing)—Introduction

. Part 2.3 - Varioush Shuddhis (purification) and Nyasas (placements)

. Part 3.1 - Diksha Vidhi (initiation rituals)—Introduction

. Part 3.2 - Diksha in philosophical aspects

. Part 3.3 - Types of Diksha (initiation ceremonies)

. Part 3.4 - Nadi Sandhana

. Part 3.5 - Acarya Abhiseka

. Part 3.6 - Significance of Diksha (initiation)

. Part 4 - Personal Prayashcitta Vidhi

. Part 6 - Antyesti Vidhi (funeral sacrifice)

. Part 7 - Shaiva Shraddha Vidhi

Appendix 1 - Glossary of Words in Sanskrit

Appendix 2 - Description of Mudras and Mantras

Appendix 3 - Records of gifts for the Temple Rituals

Appendix 4 - Records of gifts of land for the Temple Rituals and architecture

Appendix 5 - Records of gifts for the performance of Temples Rituals

Appendix 6 - Gifts for the Art and Architecture of Temples

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Last Updated: 16 May, 2025

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