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The first Upachara is avahan, invoking or inviting the particular deity to be worshipped. Suitable
mantras are recited. Next an asana i,e. a seat is offered, Then comes padya or water for washing thefeet.After this is arghya water for washing the mouth. This water is scented with sandal and flowers. Except in the case of Shiva and Surya worship, this arghya is offered from a conch. The fifth rite is the offer of achamari, not unlike the offer of a drink of water, This water is sweetened by the addition of madhuparka, that is milk, curds, honey, ghee and sugar. Then comes the bath, which is mostly an elaborate affair. In the morning worship the bath is with plain water but in the afternoon (twelve o'clock) worship it is a 'panchamrit' snana.
The image is bathed with milk, ghee, curds, honey and sugar. Perfumed water is used for this bath. The seventh upachara is draping the image with garments and ornaments. Specialty offered sadis are put on the image after the afternoon worship. On festival days rich costumes and ornaments decorate the idol. Offering of perfume is the next rite. The most commonly used substance is sandal-paste. Other perfumes used are khus, saffron, camphor and musk. Next, flowers and leaves i.e. pushpapatra are offered, then dhupa or incense and dip or light. Fruits, sweets and other edibles constitute the naivedya then proffered to the goddess. Pan or tambula rounds off the naivedya. Presentation of gifts or dakshina follows tambuladan. Circumambulation is the last but one upachara. Arati or prayers bring to an end the session. This shodashopachari worship is performed in the Mahalakshmi temple with slight alterations here and there according to the time of the worship. While the morning worship is going on music is played or sung in the mandap. Singers eome here of their own accord as service to the goddess.
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