| Daily Worship at Sri Ahobila Matham |
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The daily worship at Sri Ahobila Matham is conducted three times a day. These are called Abhigamana Aradhana, Ijyai Aradhana, and Panaka Aradhana. Abhigamana Aradhana is performed immediately followed by "Viswaroopa." in the morning. Viswaroopa. refers to the vision of the Lord at the time of ceremoniously awakening the Lord in the morning. Abhigamana Aradhanai is important for Sanyasis (monastic). The Jeeyar being a Sanyasi performs the Abhigamana Aradhanai himself. Ijyai Aradhana is performed (around 11.30 a.m. or 12 noon) by a designated priest called Aradhakar. However, the Jeeyar himself will perform certain important courtesies to the Lord. Ijyai is followed by the partaking of the food offered to the Lord called prasadam. Panaka Aradhana is performed at dusk. It is followed by the partaking of evening food offered to the Lord. After the Panaka Aradhanai completed, the Lord is ceremoniously escorted to retire for the night. Each Aradhanai has it is own rules laid down from the time of Vedas. These rules are strictly followed to this very day. Different sets of hymns from Dhivya Prabhandhams, Desika Prabhandhams, Desika Sthothramala, hymns by Sri Ramanuja, Swami Sri Desikan, previous Jeeyars of Sri Ahobilam Matham, and other Sri Vaishnava saints are recited during these worship sessions. Each worship session ends with the recitation of salutations to the Lord and the line of preceptors (Acharyas). This recitation is called Satrumurai. |