Circumambulations in Shiva temples
There is a difference in the worship of Lord Siva between and Kerala Siva temples and most Siva temples in the rest of the county. In most of the Siva temples in rest of India full circumambulations are done. In Kerala temples of Siva, full circumambulations are not done. It is done only in the form of a crescent moon to the extent of 80 to 90% of the sanctum sanctorum where idol of deity of Siva are installed. First in clockwise direction proceed to 3/4th distance (till the drain pipe or provision to remove the water from the sanctum from the abhishek) then return anti clock wise and proceed to the other side of the drain pipe. The idea is not to cross the drain provision from the sanctum, even if the same is concealed underground. This rule is not applicable where the Linga is swayambhoo or at homes. Similarly if there is a shrine of some other deity on the right side, the place where the drain is found usually this rule is not applied as there is no chance of the water from sanctum coming here. There is no proper explanation available for this peculiar circumambulations. On explanation is that the water coming from the drain contains energy and crossing the same will affect our energy. Another one is that by crossing one may step over the water and make it defiled. I am not sure about these explanations as the water coming from the shrines of other deities also may contain energy and are also sacred to be defiled. I hope some knowing about this will make comment.
Another specialty of procedure is that in most places after worshiping in the temple just at outside people sit for a moment and then go out.In Kerala and some other places this practice is not followed. This procedure of sitting is followed under the belief that the Siva ganaas will come upto the main door to see us off.
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