Temples AND CEREMONIES

 Currently, our ceremonies take place in four privately run Vaishnava temples located in Möhlin (AG), Cudrefin (VD), Oberbütschel (BE), and Stäfa (ZH). In Cudrefin, a swamini initiated into the Sampradaya lineage presides over the temple. Services are held every day.

The three classic forms of worship in Hinduism, in which God is worshipped in the form of a murti, are: puja, yagna, and abhishekam.

 Murtis are representations of God, which can be made of marble, metal, or wood. The murti embodies God.

 Puja is the simplest form of devotion to God. Whatever is offered to God in the form of the revered murti, He gives back to us as blessed food (prasad). God lives in the murti as the highest form. Everything that is offered to the murti in this type of worship is thus offered to Narayana (God). This awakens love for Him. The offerings (prasad) are presented together with specific prayers (mantras).

 A yagna is an ancient Vedic fire ceremony. The offerings are placed in the fire, which represents the mouth of Narayana. In this type of worship, they go directly to Him. This ceremony for God is often performed as a group. Through this, the worshippers receive the blessings of God, who is awakened in the fire by the prayers recited in Sanskrit. Rice and ghee are usually offered, together with the mantras (prayers). At the end of the yagna, arati is offered to the gods and all the deities who were present during the ceremony and offered help and support are asked to return to heaven.

 Abhishekam is the sacred bathing ritual in which the five substances (panchamrita) are offered to the respective form of God. These are milk, yogurt, butter (ghee), honey, and sugar. After the image of the god (murti) has been poured over with the five “elements,” it is cleansed with water, dressed, and adorned. The consecrated ingredients can be consumed after the ceremony.

The three ceremonies/prayers are links to God (Narayana), who can be reached through rituals and religious services in heaven (Vaikunta).