Kambalapalem Village, Alluri Sitarama Raju District: The five-day Archaka training program for Scheduled Tribe (ST) youth, organized by the Global Hindu Heritage Foundation (GHHF) in Kambalapadu village, Alluri Sitarama Raju district, has successfully completed its second day. While the first day concluded with introductions and basic understanding, the second day's training focused on providing deeper knowledge of the crucial Shodashopacharas (sixteen services) in Puja rituals.

The participants, who began their day by waking up before sunrise and meditating, attended the training sessions after tiffin. The trainer, Shri Krishnareddy Garu, elaborated on the Shodashopacharas, which are of utmost importance in temple worship. He explained that these sixteen services, performed with devotion and reverence, treating the deity as an honored guest, infuse life into the Puja and strengthen the bond between the devotee and the divine.

Shodashopacharas and Their Significance:

Shodashopacharas refer to the sixteen types of services or offerings made to the deity. These are not merely mechanical actions but are ways of expressing devotion, respect, and love towards the divine. These services reflect the sentiment that one should honor the deity just as one would honor a revered guest. They include:

• Dhyanam (Meditation): Meditating on the deity in one's mind, recalling their form.
• Avahanam (Invocation): Inviting the deity to the place of worship.
• Asanam (Seating): Offering a seat to the deity.
• Padyam (Washing Feet): Offering water to wash the deity's feet.
• Arghyam (Washing Hands): Offering water to wash the deity's hands.
• Achamaniyam (Sipping Water): Offering water for the deity to sip.
• Snanam (Bathing): Performing a sacred bath for the deity (e.g., Panchamrita Snanam, Shuddhodaka Snanam).
• Vastram (Clothing): Offering garments to the deity.
• Yagnopaveetam (Sacred Thread): Offering the sacred thread (for male deities).
• Gandham (Sandalwood Paste): Offering fragrant sandalwood paste.
• Pushpam (Flowers): Offering flowers.
• Dhoopam (Incense): Lighting fragrant incense.
• Deepam (Lamp): Waving a lighted lamp before the deity.
• Naivedyam (Food Offering): Offering food to the deity.
• Tamboolam (Betel Nut and Leaf): Offering betel nut and leaf.
• Pradakshina-Namaskaram (Circumambulation and Prostration): Circumambulating the deity and offering prostrations.

Through these services, devotees establish a closer relationship with the divine, enhance their concentration, and derive the spiritual benefits of the Puja.

In addition to explaining the Shodashopacharas, the second day's training also included teaching some important prayer slokas. These slokas are used during Puja to praise the deity and seek their blessings. This session, which took place after lunch, helped in developing the oral skills necessary for priesthood.

The second day of training concluded in the evening with a devotional Bhajan session. This GHHF-sponsored training, which includes free accommodation, meals, and travel expenses, is providing a strong foundation in Archakatvam (priesthood) for these young individuals from agency areas. 

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