• V. Suganya
• Dr. V. Raju

Temples formed the nucleus of social life in the country. They integrated the various segments of the society from diversity. Temple is a place of worship. The worshipping gods in temples not only infuses divinity and purity to the heart of the devotees but also it is natural outlet of their religious impulses and sentiments. The temples are also sacred. It is a general belief among the Hindus, that temples are the abodes of gods and goddesses. The temples are considered as the backbone of Hinduism. So the heavenly beings were pleased with offerings of abhishekhas (sacred bath) oblations, rituals and festivals. The first and foremost feature of India is its divine affinity. The Hindu temple pujas fall under three categories, namely, Nitya Pujas which are done daily, Masa visesham which are performed once a month and thirdly, Aandu visesham or festivals which are celebrated once a year. The expenses for these were borne by the temple itself from the income of lands owned by it or from the many endowments and grants made to it by the rulers or the public. Daily pujas are offered according to the agamic sastras and practically the same as they are in many Siva temples. The ritual today is practically what it has been for hundreds of years.

abhishekhas, pujas, agamic sastras, Naimittika puja, sandhi Puja, Kalasandhi, Ucchikalam, Sayaratchai, Arthajamam

"RITES AND RITUALS OF ABHIRAMESWARAR TEMPLE - A STUDY ", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.5, Issue 12, page no.1067-1074, December-2018, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR1812D52.pdf

"RITES AND RITUALS OF ABHIRAMESWARAR TEMPLE - A STUDY ", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.5, Issue 12, page no. pp1067-1074, December-2018, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR1812D52.pdf