About Udayasthamana pooja
Udaya” literally means “rise” or “rising,” but here it refers to the sunrise early in the morning. Similarly, “asthamana” means “sunset in the evening.” Together, the word “Udayasthamana” stands for the period from morning to evening. Various worships are conducted in temples right through the day, from morning to night (that is, during the period referred to as Udayasthamana), and these are termed commonly as the Udayasthamana Pooja.
Offering Udayasthamana Pooja is one the most popular and favorite offering to Lord Guruvayurappan. The temple conducts this pooja only on certain days during the year because of the elaborate arrangements needed. You can contact temple to book this Pooja. If you already booked this Pooja, temple will contact you and offer you potential dates for you to pick your convenient date.
Pooja rituals
The day before
The rituals commence from the previous evening itself, after Deeparadhana, with Ganapathy Pooja followed by Ari Alakkal (measuring of rice) for Nivedyam in presence of the Thanthri, Temple Representative/Yajaman, and the Udayasthamana Pooja sponsor.
On the day of pooja - morning to evening
The Garbhagriha (Sreekovil) will open at 6 am for Nirmalya darshanam, Usha Pooja followed by 18 poojas & homams, Udayasthamana Pooja is considered as a mini Utsavam – on a limited scale. The 18 poojas are for Lord Vishnu for his blessings to bring wealth and related benefits, and particularly for fulfilling one’s desires. 18th pooja is Navaka Pooja with Panchagavyam followed by Abhishekam with Navakam (nine kalashams). These rituals will take about 6 to 6½ hours – until the Ucha Pooja is completed.
The reason for performing 18 poojas is that 18 is considered a very auspicious number – though the exact significance of 18 is not known. It could be because there are 18 Puranas; Mahabharatha War having been fought in 18 days for the victory of dharma; Bhagavat Gita having 18 chapters; our body, the “Sookshma Sareeram” constituting 18 aspects (5 Jnanendriyas; 5 Karmendriyas; 5 Pranas; Manassu; Budhi; and Deham); Lord Krishna having fought Jarasandha 18 times and defeated him; Lord Krishna having 18 children, and many more such instances of 18 being an auspicious number.
The next session will start after Ucha Pooja with Sreebhootha Bali which is a ritual performed during festival days. During Sreebhootha Bali, the Utsava Vigraha of the Lord (a miniature of Guruvayurappan idol) is taken around within the four outer walls of the temple (the Chuttambalam). Thereafter, with Dakshina, the rituals of Udayasthamana Pooja are completed.
Sreebhootha Bali: There are Bali Kallus representing the Lord’s Council (Parivarams). The Lord Himself (in the form of Utsava Vigraham) stands by as offerings are made to the Parivarams. The offerings include that to Big Balikallu (which represents Hari Senan, who is the chief of Lord’s entourage).
Offering rate is: $3,500.00 (includes dakshinas)
Seeveli, Ezhunallippu with Melam - Udayasthamana Pooja Day.
This is an additional offering that devotees can book for the evening of the day of their Udayasthamana Pooja. The Seeveli will be conducted in the evening after Athazhapooja (8:00PM). Starting with balikkal thooval and purathekku ezhunallikkal, a set of percussionist will perform Melam for the Seeveli/Ezhunallippu.
Offering rate is: $301.00