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Deity Installation Procedure

Activity-1 - Ghata Sthapana (Installing the pot)

1.Install Varuna in a Managala Ghata and place in front of the deity. (Perform installation mudras while installing).

2.Perform nyasa mudra`s while chanting the Gopala mantra and proceed to perform the nyasa mudras on the pot.

3.Worship Varuna with flowers and sandalwood paste while chanting Gandha and flowers upcara mantra.

4.Ingredeints required:-

  • 10 litre Pot
  • Thread of 2 bundles to nicely decorate by wrapping the pot.
  • 2 Hari naam chaddars
  • Clean Fresh water
  • Ganges water (20 ml to add to it)
  • Green Coconut – 1
  • Flower Garland -2
  • String of flower – 2 mts
  • Kumkum and Turmeric powder
  • Sandal Paste
  • Loose flowers – few.

Activity – 2- Silpi Dosa Snanam (Purificatory Bath)

  1. In order to cleanse the deity of any impurities, both subtle and gross, from the silpi (carver) or the touch of other people – a special bath is given called –“Silpi Dosa Snanam”.
  2. Draw the Chakrabja mandala of 6 petals.  
  3. Place an empty copper pot  in the centre of the mandala.   
  4. In each of the petal, keep each copper pot/vessel  with each individual pots of 
    • Milk
    • Yoghurt
    • Ghee
    • Cowdung
    • Cow Urine
    • Kusa water ( without using the nails, break the tips of Kusa grass and place in a pot of pure water)
  5. In the reverse order  (going from Kusa to milk) take small portions from the pots on each petal of the mandala and pour into the middle pot. 
  6. Purify the middle pot with “samanya arghya and chant the deities mula mantra”.
  7.  Proksana:- 
    1. Wipe the deities body with a damp cloth. 
    2. Then sprinkle/bath  the deities with “sodita panca-gravya”  while chanting the “panca gavya proksana-mantra”.  We can nicely bath the deities using the mixture of 6 items. 
    3. Wipe the deities with a damp cloth again with clean dry cloth. 
    4. The deities are then worshipped with 5 upacaras. 
      • Gandha (Chant deity mula mantra)
      • Puspa
      • Dhupah
      • Dipah
      • Naivedyam . (For all upacaras chant deities mula mantras.) Fruits and Sweets
  8. Ingredeints:- 
    • Cow Milk
    • Yoghurt
    • Ghee
    • Cow dung
    • Cow Urine
    • Kusa grass
    • Sandalwood paste
    • Flowers
    • Insence
    • Panca deepa
    • Bhoga.  (minimum 11 items)
    • 4 towels
    • 6 small size copper pots
    • 1 big size copper pot
    • Fresh clean water
    • 1 Arati plate (to keep all the Arati paraphernalia on this plate)
    • Ghee wigs
    • Light.

Activity-3 -- Netronmilinam

  1. Netronmilinam:- 

a.As most of the deities in ISKCON come already painted and carved then we shall only concentrate the second aspect , namely “Subha drsti”. In a private ceremony, the priest waves 

      • Ghee, 
      • Kusa tips,
      •  Durva tips, 
      • Mustard seeds
      • White flowers 

Above the head of the deity for His protection, and then requests the Deity to open his eyes for the first time. 

b.Offer on a Silver Plate, 

    • Ghee,
    • Kusa tips,
    • White flowers
    • Durva tips
    • Yogurt,
    • White mustard seeds

Above the head of the deity, while chanting the raksohanam mantra. 

  1. Now, Netronmilinam is performed using a the below on a Silver plate:-
    • Gold stick or Tulasi stick (3-4 inches long)
    • Ghee
    • Honey
    • Kajal or Collyrium.

Touching the deity`s Right eye with Gold stick dipped in honey and chant the mantra as given in Prathista viddhi (PV) book. Repeat the same for the Left eye. 

  1. Apply the Kajal on the edge of the lower eyelids for both the eyes.
  2. Offer Arghya (honorific offering) consisting of 
    • Yogurt
    • Rice
    • Honey
    • Milk
    • Kusa tips
    • White mustard seeds
    • Durva grass

By showing it above the lords head and chant the mantras as per book PV. 

  1. Touch the deity`s eyes  with golden stick and chant the mantra as per PV. 
  2. At this time, along with Kirtana, and blowing conch shells, auspicious items should be shown to the Lord, such as cow (the back side should be shown to the deity), tulasi tree, Srimad Bhagavatam,  etc….
  3. The Priest should offer the dhupa arotika consisting of 
    • Incense
    • Lamp
    • Flowers
    • Camara.

By chanting the Upacara mantra and Deity Mula mantra`s.

 Activity -3 Netronmilinam  — Ingredeints required:- 

  1. Ghee, 
  2. Kusa tips,
  3.  Durva tips, 
  4. Mustard seeds
  5. White flowers 
  6. Yoghurt
  7. Gold or Tulasi Stick
  8. Honey
  9. Kajal
  10. Silver plates – 2
  11. Rice
  12. Incense
  13. Lamp
  14. Flowers
  15. Camara
  16. Arati Plate.

Activity – 4 – Vandapana
An offering of Auspicious items

  1. The Head priest presents auspicious articles with mantras. 
  2. Ingredeints required:- 
    1. Earth
    2. Gandha
    3. Stone
    4. Rice paddy
    5. Durva Grass
    6. Flowers
    7. Fruit
    8. Yoghurt
    9. Ghee
    10. Svastika
    11. Sindhura (Kum-Kum)
    12. Conch
    13. Kajjala
    14. Rocana
    15. Boiled Rice
    16. Gold
    17. Silver
    18. Copper
    19. White mustard seed
    20. Mirror
    21. Lamp

These items can be kept in a plate each item in a Steel / clay/ copper bowls.

Activity – 5 – Kautuka Bandhanam
Tying of auspicious threads

  1. The Chief priest tying a woollen  thread with 
    • Neem Leaves
    • Durva Grass
    • White woolen thread 

To the deities – to the right hand of the Govinda  and left hand  to his consort. 

2.After this one should tie kautukas on the wrists of Chief Priest, other priests and Yajamana. 



Activity – 6 – Sayanadhivasa
Placing the deities in an auspicious bed.

Brief about this Seva:-

This is a Purificatory process (Adhivasas ) that may be performed to the deities, for purifying the eight gross and subtle material elements.  Sayanadhivasa – resting in the bed, invokes the spirit of sleep into the Deity for invoking presence of the Lord as well as the ability to bestow auspiciousness on the devotees. 

  1. First spread Kusa grass with their tips pointing East
  2. Spread 4 bharas of Paddy.  (1 Bhara equal to 21 pounds)
  3. 2 bharas of White Rice
  4. 1 Bhara of Black Sesame
  5. On top of this White cloth
  6. Spread Kusa grass again
  7. Over this Woollen blanket
  8. Nicely colored cloth put on the top of the blanket
  9. Cover with another white cloth
  10. Place pillows as head rests, 
  11. Place Scent on the bed 
  12. Nicely decorate with flowers. 
  13. Bring the deities on Palanquin with Chanting and to be placed on bed. 
  14. After chanting  few mantras
  15. Lightly smear candana on the body of the deities with a flower. 
  16. Place a bowl containing 
    • Honey
    • Ghee
    • White mustard seeds 

Mixed together  and place on the right side of the Deity. 

17.Tie a white thread on the deities wrist, and to consort on the left side. 

18.Cover the deities with cloth according to the season while chanting few mantras given….

19.Lamps lit around the outside of the bed in four directions

20.Place the below items next to the bed while chanting….

    • Camara
    • Fan
    • Umbrella
    • Mirror
    • Jewels
    • Herbs

21.One should offer 6 types of  Eatables

22.One should offer 6 types of Juices

23.Sweet rice

24.Milk

25.Honey

26.Ghee

27.Fruit

28.Cooked rice 

29.Cakes  and few other preparations  to be place them around the bed. 

30.Once we bring everything near to the bed

31.Chief Priest should offer…… while chanting deity mula mantras

  • Flowers
  • Padyam
  • Arghyam
  • Acamaniyam
  • Madhuparkah
  • Punar – acamaniyam
  • Gandha
  • Puspani – flowers
  • Dhupah—Insence
  • Dipah – lamp
  • Naivedyam.
  • Camphor..

32.After that Chief priest should install various Deities in the 10 directions while chanting various mantras. 

33.Perform Bali Dana

  1. Make balls of 
      • Dry fruits
      • Popper rice (Koi)
      • Yoghurt
      • Boiled barley gruel (boiled in milk or water)

Offer these balls to the entities in the 4 directions…….. by chanting various mantras given in PV. 

34.All the priests and devotees should chant Sri Suktam in a low voice while circumbulating the deities. 

35.Every one should leave the Sayana mandapa. 

36.There should be a soft and pleasant kirtana or recitation of sastras all night until the next morning.

Day - 2
Activity – 1 – Svasti - Vacana
Invoking Auspiciousness.

  1. All the Brahamana`s Chant the Svasti-Vacana  with having Aksata in the hand.
  2. Ingredients required:-
    • Akasta.

Activity – 2 – Sakalpa
Taking the Vow.

1.The Priest should take the Vow with Yajamani.

Activity – 3 – Digpala Puja
Worshipping the directions.

  1. Standing in the middle of the temple room, worship the 10 dig palas with Mahaprasada flowers. 

Activity – 4 – Dvara Puja
Worshipping the doors.

  1. Worship of Garuda-stambha, doorkeepers, Lakshmi devi, Ganga devi, Yamuna devi, Vaastu purusa and various other direction controllers for the protection of our temple. 

Ingredeints required:-

  1. Gandha –Sandal wood
  2. Flowers 

Activity – 5 – Jagarana Seva
Waking the deities.

  1. Wake the deities by touching their Lotus feet and ringing a bell while chanting mantras given in PV. 
  2. Open the Kautuka on the deities while chanting mantras. 
  3. Open the Kautuka on the Yajamana and Priests.
  4. Worship the deities with the following Upacaras….
    • Padya
    • Arghya
    • Acamaniya
    • Madhuparka
    • Punar-Acamaniya
    • Durva tips / Aksata
    • Dipa
    • Gandha
    • Yajnopavita
    • Vastra
    • Uttariya
    • Puspa
    • Dhupa/ Insence
    • Kajjala
    • Rocana-Tilaka
    • Garlands for the deities. 

One should be chanting the mantras given in the PV book with their Upacara mantras and Deity Mula mantras. 

Activity – 6 – Mandapa Sthapana
Establishing the mandapa.

  1. It is a bathing place for the Deities.
  2. Decorated with Banana trees, Festoons, bells, colored flags, garlands etc…
  3. Vedhi Sodhana – Purifying the snana vedhi with Panca gravya.
    • Milk
    • Yoghurt
    • Cow Urine
    • Cow dung
    • Ghee

And after this Purify the snana vedhi with Kusa water by chanting the mantras. 

4.Need to decorate the Lords Abhishek place nicely with flowers/creepers, flags & festoons. 

5.Make the Cakrabja Mandala with Klim mantra on it with Sandal Paste. 

6.Perform the worship to the Klim mantra which represents the Goloka Dhaam with Flowers and Sandal paste with Upacara mantras. 

Activity – 7 – Abhishek
Performing Bathing Ceremony.

  1. Take the Lord in procession to the Snana Vedhi  on a palanquin, The priest should chant the following mantras….. 
  2. Start worshipping the Lord with Sodasopacara  Puja – worship with 16 items….
    • The priest should purvanga Karma (such as worship of Spiritual master, Bhuta suddhi, worship of Ghanta, Shanka, flowers and Paraphernila, Gauranga Puja before.)
    • After Punar-Acamaniya…..  Offer Pista Pradipa—- removing dristi  to the Lord by waving the deepa made with flour balls in front of the deities by chanting Hiranyagarbha Suktam…
    • Then Snana – bathing starts…..
      1. Offer Sesame paste.
      2. Offer water mixed with Sesame paste.
      3. One should change the Lords cloths and bath again with Pure water.
      4. Panca gavya snana…..
        • Milk
        • Yoghurt
        • Ghee
        • Cow Urine
        • Cow Dung
        • Kusa Water
      5. Pancamrta Snana….
        • Milk
        • Yoghurt
        • Ghee
        • Honey
        • Sugar
      6. Usnodaka Snana – warm water bath
      7. Sarvausadhi Snana
      8. Mahausadhi Snana
      9. Mangala Snana —- with Padmakam, rocana, durva, Kusa, Jati puspa and Kunda puspa. 
      10. Bijastaka Snana — Barley, wheat, wild rice, sesame, millet, rice paddy and panic seed and rice which grows in 60 days…
      11. Ratnodaka Snana – Jewel water
      12. Puspodaka Snana – Flower water
      13. Phalodaka Snana  — fruit water
      14. Gandhodaka Snana – scent water bath (musk, aguru )
      15. Gandha – Sandal wood should be smeared to Lords body
      16. Candanodaka – Snana – water mixed with Sandal wood paste.
      17. Sahasra Dhara Snana (Shower with 
        • pure water, 
        • then Sarvausadhi 
        •  Mahaausadhi,
        •  Gandha water
        • Astaka bija water 
        • Water mixed with flowers
        • Fruit water – place a peeled banana in sahasra dhara tray
        • Jeweled water  — keep navaratna jewel in sahasra dhara tray)
      18. Kalasa Snana —
        •  8 kalasa snana of pure water—
        • 16 kalasa snana of Sandal wood paste, tulasi leaves…
        • Chant Purusa suktam…..
      19. Slight rub the Ghee to Lords body while chanting mantra
      20. Bathe again with Pure water
      21. Dry the Lord fully 
      22. Offer flower shower to the Lord
      23. Dry the Lord and take the Lord`s behind the curtains
  3. Vastra — 
    • Anga vastram
    • Uttariya 
  4. Yajnopavita
  5. Abharana
  6. Gandha – with Tulasi
  7. Puspa 
    • First offer Tulasi flowers or manjaris with Sandal paste to Krishna only and only Flowers to Radharani
    • Then offer Flowers with Sandal wood paste to Krishna. 
  8. Dhupa 
  9. Dipa
  10. Naivedya — short bhogha (sweets, fruits, fresh fruit juices and water. )
  11. Tambula…..

Activity – 8 – Prana Pratistha
Invoking the deity.

  1. Enter into the Lords Deity room and perform the Prana Pratistha…
    • Durva Grass
    • White Rice
  2. Raj Bhoga offering
  3. Open Curtains for Darsana
  4. Aratika. 

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