Welcome to Adiyen Sri Ramanuja Dasan !
" Srimathe Ramanujaya Namaha !"
(Q. 104 Contd...) (3) what rituals are performed after the grahanam ?
Ans .: As soon as the Grahanam is over the temple is opened and cleaned fully with water (Maha Suddhi) then inside the sanctum the purifying ritual 'Punyaahavaachanam' is performed and the auspicious water is sprinkled in the first enclosure(Vimana Prakaram) fully. Then the usual rituals of the day which stopped at the time of closing will continue.
(4) after lunar eclipse(after 5.30 this yr ) will the ritulas start off with suprabhatam ?
Ans .: After this purification process then the regular rituals whatever Suprabhatham will go on usually.
5) what is the reason behind closing the temple itself during grahanam,as HE HIMSELF controls these phenomenon ?
Ans .: According to Vaikhanasa Scriptures, Sage Bhrigu from 'Prakeernadhikaram' prescribes that instead of closing the temple, during Grahanams several Shanti Pujas and Abhishekams are prescibed that has to be performed to Lord and Archakas has to pray the Lord to protect people from the evil effects of Grahanams. But why it is closed in Tirumala or any other place, the reason in my view is as follows.
According to one's Sutra, Every person must undergo several Vedic Samskaras like Namakaranam, Seemantham, Vivaham, etc. Our's is Vaikhanasa Sutra. So accordingly the Archaka has to perform several rites which are bound on him on several occasions from time to time. During Grahanams, we've to perform Tarpanam(Respectful Water oblations to Pithru Devathas) and due to performing this they will get their thirst fulfilled while they reside in Pithru lokam. Apart from this the Archaka after the Grahanam is over has to purify his own house with the same Punyaahavaachanam and also offer rituals to his home god (Griha Devatharchana). So if the temple is open and if he performs the prescribed pujas, he will fail to do the Ashtadasa Sutra vidhis which is not a good thing.
Also in the olden days (Some 100 yrs back), the Archakas in Tirumala were used to reside down the hills in Tirupati and they've to go by walk to Tirumala amidst thick forest with several wild animals wandering in the Forest, So if they open the temple at Tirumala during grahanams, it was difficult for them to perform the prescribed rituals in their homes at Tirupati. So they adapted the practice of closing the temple after performing usual rituals, then will go down and do their vidhis, will then return back to Tirumala and resume worship there. Later gradually it has established as a well accepted practice at Tirumala. This might be one of the reason for closure of the temple doors during grahanams.
But this doesn't mean that the Archakas are not performing the prescribed rituals according to texts. Sometimes a difficult choice has to be made in these scenarios, which in this case, was adapted by our ancestors, who were well versed with Veda and Dharma Shastras. In Vaikhanasa Samhithas, it is also prescibed that it is good to follow the usage and practice in certain things rather than sticking to the Samhithas. And it is not an expiation at all according to Scriptures.
Jai Srimannaryana !
Thanks for your valuable time. Visit our web site again for more information and latest updates.