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Home > Temples of Kerala > Temple rites Temple ritesThe Daivanja (astrologer) has a key role in all aspects of the temple ie for determining the auspicious time for building a temple, installation of idol and expiatory rites etc. All these are done by an astrologer, who is well-versed in the subject, by conducting a deva-prasna. Prasna means answer to any question or problem and when it relates to a deity it is called Deva-prasna and it is invariably conducted to ascertain the approval or disapproval of the deity in respect of all important points. Whenever there is a nimittham (omen and event) of considerable gravity or if the temple is polluted due to theft, birth or death of animals, birds, etc within the temple complex, decay of peetha, breakage of idol, sweating of vigraha, fire in praakaaras etc then a Deva-prasna has to be held and expiatory rites done. Deva-prasna commences when the Yajamaana or Kaaraka (builder of the temple) or the Administrative, Manager of the temple or his representative approaches the astrologer (Daivanja) for the prasna. The person who approaches the Daivanja is called Prchhaka. Prasna-maargga asserts that the prchhaka is sent to the astrologer at the will of the deity. This implies added responsibility to the astrologer and he has to carefully observe and note down during prchhaka's visit some of the important points like the time of his visit, the place from where prchhaka has come, the breath of the astrologer at that moment, the avasthha (which indicates the activities) of the prchhaka, the articles touched or kept by him, raasi in which he stands or sits, the number of alphabets in his prccha (question) put to the astrologer besides Prchhaka's pose, actions (especially by his limbs, hands, legs, finger etc), facial expression (happiness, sorrow etc), direction in which he looks, colour of his dress and mode of wearing dress and ornaments and above all omens seen or sounds heard at the moment. The week day, asterisk, thithhi, karana etc as per the almanac at the time of the vsit of the prchhaka are also noted.
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