GREETINGS

Swamiji:

Dear Shinod,

Kerala temples are based on Tantric rituals and in other places it based on Vedic rituals.

In Kerala, the Poojaris do not recite the Mantras verbally.

In other places, they recite the Mantras aloud while performing the Poojas.

In Kerala, each Mantra is expressed through Mudras.

We follow Tantra Samuchaya which means every temple should consist of five aspects – Compound wall, Pradakshina Veethi, Chuttambalam, Nama Japa Mandapam, and Sreekovil.

When a devotee enters the compound wall of the temple, he should remove the shirt because the wall represents the Gross body. That means he should leave the thoughts about the body, thoughts about the people and objects related to the body.

When he enters the temple he should do Pradakshinam; that is, engaging the the mind which is free from all other worldly thoughts.
Then he should do Pradakshinam along with Pranayam and recitation of Nama Japam or Mantras.
Once his mind is completely focused he can enter into the temple.
While entering through the Chuttambalam, he should be able to visualize the Deity.
Then fixing his mind on the feet the Lord, when he reaches Namakara Mandapam, he should do the Prostration
There he should feel that he is surrendering and dissolving into the Lord.There he should experience the Principle of Thathwamasi.
When he gets up, look at the Idol take an oath that :

“I am your Dasa, whatever work I am doing now, is an opportunity given by you. Any events that come in my life, I will take as your Prasad”.