Velichappads of Shabarimala Temple - Part 1

Velichappad is a term used in kerala - especially with Bhagawati temples. This actually denotes the traditional upasakas of the respective deities who are inspired and get the supereme power invoked within them.

During religious ceremonies and poojas these Velichappad(or Sthanika - as they are called in Brahmana Samoohams) gets himself into a trance and these Sthanikas are offered respect by the devotees and upacharas are done to them. They bless the devotees with prasadam and convey the deity's satisfaction and certain prophecies.

These words which come from their mouth are the words of the deity itself. The person who is seated as the Velichapad is considered as the God himself (during that time) and he can tell the past, present and future.

Even today many people - comment on this “Swami Thullal” and have a hesitation to believe this. This is beacuse most of us fail to undertand the real trance and the emotional outburst. I have seen 90% of the pujas people mistake an emotional person to be in trance and offer him respects and all other things -which is totally wrong. When really the Lord's arrival happens-the man gets himself immersed in trance, and the very sight is divine - he issues orders, gives blessings and prasadam to the devotees present. The total atmosphere is filled with divinity.

The Velichappad is a common phenominea in most of the Devi temples, but in case of Sastha- it was a very very rare incident - except only for the Kambankudi family who had the previlege of getting the trance of Dharma Sastha. Later on when the concept of Sastha Preethi started spreading to all Brahmana Samoohams, Swami chose few upasakas to be his representatives.

Paravoor Shankaralinga Iyer, Kambankudi Veeramani Iyer, Tharakad Rama Iyer, Kalpathy (Chaami Anna) CV Srinivasa Iyer(my grandfather), Sucheendram Meenakshi Sundaram Iyer, Trivandrum Anantharama Iyer, Parvathipuram Venkateeswra Iyer, were few stalwars and Veteren Stanikas of yester years.

Our records show the Dharma Sastha temple at Sabarimalai - had Velichappads or Sthanikas since 1874. Let me try to present the details or atleat a brief outline about the Velichappad of Sabarimala.

Kalarkad Appu Iyer:

"Even a Nasthika will become an Asthika after seeing Appu Iyer in trance" - was a famous quote during the years 1905/06. Even now, people at Kalarkode believe that Appu Iyer was the incarnation of the Lord Sastha Himself and even today, there are many stories told about his achievements. He is perhaps (recordically) the first and famous Velichappad of Sabarimalai. (This offical post on Sabarimala was usually termed as the “Valia Velichappad”.)

Appu Iyer was a dynamic and pleasing personality, backed with strict upasana and Bhakthi towards Lord Dharma Saastha. It is said that people from far off places come to see the Sastha Preethi at Kalarkode(near Alleppy) Brhamana Samooham to get the blessings of the Lord through Appu Iyer.

Appu Iyer's thejas and upasana earned him respect from all corners. Even the Maharaja of Travancore had a great regard for Appu Iyer and specially felicitated him. He tracked to Sabarimalai every year, and During the Sabarimalai season at Erumeli temple and at Sabarimalai Sannidhanam, Appu Iyer used to get into trance and would answer the queries of the devotees.

This was not taken in the right sense by few devotees there. A very sincere Nair devotee from Alangad had his own reservation in accepting Appu Iyer. He felt this scenario is disturbing the sacredness of the pilgrimage itself. He came to a conclusion and decided to test Appu Iyer's trance by an unique method. H used to receive Dakshina and donations from devotees - which he very secretly and saved the amount; this he did for three years. Then he very secretly employed a goldsmith and made a gold chain with bells for seven sovereigns. Nobody knew about it and the purpose for which it is made.

The next year's mandala kaalam started and he carried the chain in a velvet bag and went to sabarimala. His idea was - If Appu Iyer really had the powers, during his trance, should ask him about the chain. Since it so secretly made, if Appu Iyer could know this he will garland Appu Iyer or else throw him out of Sabarimalai immediately.

As usual everyone was at Sabarimalai and during the Deeparadhana, Appu Iyer, who was sitting on the Mandapam at Sannidhanam, got into a trance. He called for the Alangad devotee and casually explained all the details about the chain, including the amount the collected, thes ource of the money, the gold smith who made it, actual cost of the chain, number of bells it had and the exact weight of the chain and theplace where the devotee had safely kept the chain. The Nair was spellbound.

Appu Iyer also asked the devotee to come and garland him - since he had decided in his mind to garland him if his doubts are cleared. Alangad Nair stood speechless and astonished; he respectfully came forward abd prostrated before Appu Iyer. He was totally impressed with Appu Iyer that instead of presenting a floral Garland he garlanded Appu Iyer with the very same neck chain and seeked his blessings and felt sorrt for doubting him. All the devotees who stood there were were really amused and astonished to see this and jointly called aloud “Swamiye Sharanam Ayyappa”.

There are many such anecdotes told even today about the powers and achievements of Appu Iyer the great. Similar incidents made Appu Iyer’s fame rise to the top, and he became very famous as the “Valia Velichappad of Sabarimalai”. Appu Iyer weared the chain gifted by the Alangad devotee till his end.

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TO BE CONTINUED.................

Dikshitar Kriti - Harihara Putram

Dikshitar Kriti - Harihara Putram
rAgaM : vasanta
tALaM : khaNDa Ekam

pallavi
hari hara putraM SAstAraM sadA bhajE(a)haM
mAyA kAryaM tyajE(a)ham

anupallavi
mura harAdi mOhita Sauri giri vihAraM
muraLI bhErI vAdyAdi priya-karaM
(madhyama kAla sAhityam)
prArthita putra pradaM vasanta nata bRndaM
dIrghAyuHpradaM dIna jana phala pradam

caraNam
phAlguna mAsa paurNimAvatAraM
pANDya kEraLAdi dESa prabhA-karaM
pushpa SarEkshu kArmuka dharaM
phulla kalhAra daNDa dhara karaM
(madhyama kAla sAhityam)
kali yuga pratyakshaM garvita daksha SikshaM
vara guru guhAntarangaM ratha gaja turangam

Meaning
Pallavi :
I always worship Shastaa, the son of Hari and shiva.I renounce theactivities associated with mAya or illusion

Anupallavi:
The dweller in shauri giri who pleases Vishnu - the killer of Mura.The one fond of instruments like the flute, beri .The one who bestows sons.He is worshipped in Spring by crowds of people.He grants longevity.He bestows happiness to destitutes.4

Charanam :
He incarnated on the full moon day in the phAlguna month.He brings glory to the kingdoms of the Pandyas and kerala.He bears the floral arrows, sugarcane bow and and a floral staff made of kalharaa (senkazhuneer in Tamil ) flowers. He manifests in Kaliyuga.He punishes instantly.He resides in the minds of guha , who is hara’s guru.The one who has an army with chariots, elephants and horses.


ஹரி ஹர புத்ரம் - ராக₃ம் வஸந்த - தாளம் க₂ண்ட₃ ஏகம்
பல்லவி
ஹரி ஹர புத்ரம் ஸா₁ஸ்தாரம் ஸதா₃ ப₄ஜேऽஹம்
மாயா கார்யம் த்யஜேऽஹம்

அனுபல்லவி
முர ஹராதி₃ மோஹித ஸௌ₁ரி கி₃ரி விஹாரம்
முரளீ பே₄ரீ வாத்₃யாதி₃ ப்ரிய-கரம்
(மத்₄யம கால ஸாஹித்யம்)
ப்ரார்தி₂த புத்ர ப்ரத₃ம் வஸந்த நத ப்₃ரு₂ந்த₃ம்
தீ₃ர்கா₄யு:ப்ரத₃ம் தீ₃ன ஜன ப₂ல ப்ரத₃ம் 

சரணம்
பா₂ல்கு₃ன மாஸ பௌர்ணிமாவதாரம்
பாண்ட்₃ய கேரளாதி₃ தே₃ஸ₁ ப்ரபா₄-கரம்
புஷ்ப ஸ₁ரேக்ஷு கார்முக த₄ரம்
பு₂ல்ல கல்ஹார த₃ண்ட₃ த₄ர கரம்
(மத்₄யம கால ஸாஹித்யம்)
கலி யுக₃ ப்ரத்யக்ஷம் க₃ர்வித த₃க்ஷ ஸி₁க்ஷம்
வர கு₃ரு கு₃ஹாந்தரங்க₃ம் ரத₂ க₃ஜ துரங்க₃ம்

Guru Dakshina during Sabari Yatra

Dear Gurugaru,

We read about the Guru dhakshina in your article.
What is the procedure for Gurudakshina in sabarimala ?

Each and everytime we put down our Iramudi we need to pay Guru dakshina to guruswami. Is this right?

Rammohan Swami
Guntur
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The whole concept of Sabarimala revolves round Guru - without him no yatra gets fulfilled.

Here talking about the qualifications of a Guruswamy will lead to a spearate topic; so Iam just giving the details regarding Guru dakshina.

The Guruswamy takes you to the Lord; He is leading you towards the Lord. So in order to show your graditude towards him we need to pay Guru Dakshina to the Swami and do namaskaram to him.

Now we see many so called Guruswamys threatening the sishyas not to remove the Irumudi from the head wihtout him(Guruswamy) and demand dakshina for each time. This is not right.

This is what Iam taught by the elders. A sishya has to pay respects to his Guruswamy and pay him Guru dakshina 8 times during the sabarimala yatra.

1. The first time when the Guru formally accepts him for the sabarimala yatra
2. While wearing the Maala
3. While taking the irumudi - Kettu Nerai
4. At Erumeli after the darshanam while starting the yatra
5. At Azhudha river
6. At Pampa after the snanam and while starting
7. At sannidhanam after the abhishekam
8. While removing the maala

It is the duty of every Ayyappa bhaktha to follow all these rules strictly and earn the grace of Guruswamy and thereby get the blessings of Guruswamy's Guruswamy(Lord Ayyappa)

Swamiye Sharanam Ayyappa

Guru - Sishya Relationship - Part 2

In continuaton with our previous post on Guru Sishya relationship, we received the followed comment.

Excellent guidelines, but general query with every one is how to select Guru. what is the qualification to get Deeksha.

After seeing media, people are very sacred of selecting guru and some people argue why to have middle man to speak to god and will try to reach god directly with our own prayers etc.,

Also some people accepted there guru as Maha periava, Ramana maharishi, Rama krishna, Arabindo, Seshathri swamigal (Even the person never met him).

Also give some information regarding Thruvannamalai Giri vallam. some people says they could able to see SITHAR SWAMIGAL LIKE PAPMPATTI SITHAR etc., is it true. I never get opportunity to visit that temple and attend Giri vallam.

Can you clarify.
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Let me try to answer this one by one
General query with every one is how to select Guru. What is the qualification to get Deeksha.
How can one select a Guru?
Did we select our father or mother ?

The Guru Thatwa is an embodiment of karunya and it is he who select us as a sishya and not vice versa.

We may think that we are choosing a Guru. But in no way its going to happen.  Whoever may be the Guru, Guru is "Sakshat Parabrahma"

The Guru Sishya relationship doesnot happen by appointment or designation. It emerges automatically.
The first and foremost quality for a sishya is vinaya ie humbleness and 0% Ego.

When a person thinks of  choosing his Guru, definitely he may compare him with others (please read my previous post - which is a very great sin) And also this  shows he is egoistic and If one thinks that he is choosing his guru, Iam sure he is fooling himself.

When the sadhaka is ready and ripe - God sends the Guru in the right time.
"Thottu Kaatta Guru Thane Varuvaar"

Guru is not a post or position - its an eternal commitment and phenomena.

The qualification for deeksha is decided by the Guru alone. Right or wrong he takes up the responsibilities of the sishya (including his karma)

After seeing media, people are very sacred of selecting guru and some people argue why to have middle man to speak to god and will try to reach god directly with our own prayers etc.,
Again the question of selecting a Guru does not arise

I would like to quote from  my previous post - "Mostly we will try to judge and always make a wrong judgement."

This is what is happening today. Only a Guru has to select a sishya.
If you think you are selecting your Guru then you are not on the right track.  Your faith and Viswasa with the Guru is also not that strong. This ultimately leads to disaster.

Most of the people have a feeling that there is not need for a Middle Man to show God.
Each and every living being has to rise gradually in each janma after janma and only then reach a level of Jeevan Mukthi and only then attain moksha.  This can happen only with Guru's grace.


One has to make one point clear - the purpose of human birth is to attain moksha and for this guru is must. If one thinks the purpose is to get the blessings of God for a comfortable livelihood, luxurious life, wealth etc then Guru is surely a middle man.

The path to our destination called moksha is a forest  full of animals and we need a guide to cross the place. Guru is the only guide who can take you along with him safely and help you reach your goal.

Instant moksha and instant gnana is not at all possible. If a person says I doent need a middle man - its again sheer Ego and you cant expect anything more from that sort of a person.  (I know a person who has all the "Good Qualities"  including consuming alcohol but claims that he doesnt need a Guru and he is going to get moksha because his astrologer has said so)
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Next qery
Also some people accepted there guru as Maha periava, Ramana maharishi, Rama krishna, Arabindo, Seshathri swamigal (Even the person never met him).

Also give some information regarding Thruvannamalai Giri vallam. some people says they could able to see SITHAR SWAMIGAL LIKE PAPMPATTI SITHAR etc., is it true. I never get opportunity to visit that temple and attend Giri vallam.

Some people consider Maha Purushas like Seshadri Swamigal, Ramana or Mahaperiyava as their Guru. This is a very great oppurtunity. But these Maha purushas bless us as a divine force and guide our life. But in case of upadesha or mantra deeksha what will be the case?

To a very rare and lucky few, they themselves manifest before them and give their blessing. YES !!!this is true and happens even today.  But its said vindavar kandilar - many people who claim this get carried away in the waves called publicity, self and benefits of the ocean called Ego. There are still few pure souls who are blessed with such rare opportunity.

But in most other cases the Mahapurushas again send some physical Gurus in order to guide the souls. One has to accept that fact. A physical Guru's presence is the most necessary thing and a guiding force for any normal aspirant.

So for a true sadhaka, the need of a Guru is inevitable.

Naasti Thathwam Param Gurum
There is no thathwam other than Guru

Guru - Sishya Relationship

Is it true that a person should always be under his guru and should not go beyond him? Will this not affect his 

individuality?  

Some people say one must learn from his guru and vacate the place and not be too close to his guru. 

Also is Guru Dakshina a must?

V.R. Rajaraman

Senkottai

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First let me make it clear that Iam talking only about Guru - who is for your Atma sadhana. ie who gives you mantra deeksha or upadesham and guide you towards the Lord. Iam not talking about your Music teacher or bhajan Guru.

Guror anugruhenaiva puman purna prashantaye

Only by the grace of guru can a person become a self realised soul

Any sadhaka when his devotion to his favorite god is ripe, its pulls the Guru towards the sishya. 

And please remember there is no lakshanam for a guru. He is not limited by age, education or relatioship. Mostly we will try to judge and always make a wrong judgement.

The significance of Guru and Guru Bhakthi is immesurable.

"Gurur Sakshat Parabrahma" - Guru is the Lord Himself. Generally people confuse among themselves with an acharya and guru. 

The person who teaches a subject or something like music etc is an acharya. But the person who gives the mantra of a diety is Guru - he is God. He may not be a person jumping from the sky; he may look very ordinary and move along with us; But please understand - unless you have a feeling that He is God himself,one can never get salvation. Even he is an ordinary person, once if you accept him as your guru - please dont forget He is God to you.

Today the mantra siddhi is very rare phenominon to see. This is because of lack of Guru bhakthi. 

Guru Santhushta Matrena sidyathi

One gets mantra siddhi - once the guru is pleased.

By giving you a mantra upadesham - the Guru takes you along with him to the divinity and actually is shouldering your responsibilty. Please understand - until the sishya get proper gnana - the Guru doesnot get moksha. For this debt - even if you serve him for the entire janma, it cannot be equated. 

Dos and Donts with a Guru

I dont want to give any more of my personal opinion. But i'l quote only one single paragraph from Lalithopakhyana - which shows the greatness of Guru

• A sishya must dedicate one's body, wealth and life to the service of Guru and always live according to his instructions. He must never try to supercede him.

• The most difficult thing in the entire world is getting a proper Guru.Once this Guru is happy with the sishya - Moksha Lakshmi comes to him within half a second.

• Even if he scolds - understand that it is a blessing.

• And analysing your Guru and comparing him with others is the most sinful act. And accepting one person as your Guru and changing to another Guru - will lead to eternal darkness.

• Before commencing any vaidheeka or Lowkika karmas, you must get his blessings/approval.

• One must never call his Guru in singular terms (like Nee, Vaa etc) and must never argue with his guru 

• The most sadhachara is Guru bhakthi and the maha papam is Guru Droham 

• Even telling a lie in front of your Guru is a great sin - this is more sinful than Brammahathi or Go hathi

• One who ponder overs the feet of Guru (Guru Paduka) gets everything that is good - this is greater that all maha yagas or pujas or temple worship

• Guru Vaakyam pramaanam - Even the mere words from Guru has to be follwed strictly. The mere words are shastras to the sishya

• Once you see you guru , fall like a danda(stick) and do sashtanga namaskara and do a pradakshina

• Worship your favorite God as your Guru's form

Most of the above statements may look "unfit" in today's world. But still there are persons who follow it strictly and are coming up in their life - both spiritually and also in worldly life. Iam seeing, admiring and wondering about the Guru bhakthi of these few persons (even today) and their attachment towards their Guru.

(Iam seeing all the following personally even today) Just imagine

• Not even uttering the name of his Guru
• Considering their puja moorthi as Guru and Guru Patni himself
• An officer and highly placed person falling at his guru's feet in the middle of the road
• A politician sitting on the floor refusing to sit on a sofa along with his Guru

Unfortunately, Ive also seen persons, who hesitate greatly even for doing a namaskaram to his Guru. There are worst cases ie when the sishya is in Guru's place, he keeps quiet while the Guru serve the disciple.  This is  a very great sin.

Once a Guru  named meykaNdAr took one pot of cellulose (kanychi) kept for the cloths and drank it. While he was drinking it, some of it dripped through his elbow. The ardant disciple umApathi chivAchchAriyAr drank that, which was dripping through the master's elbow. This is Guru Bhakthi. 

Today a poor Guru is carrying the tiffin plate of a sishya. ( A guru - out of his sheer kindness or affection may do this to his disciples; but a Sishya should NEVER allow this happen and infact he must grab each and every oppurtunity to serve his Guru).

Proximity to Guru

Now you might have understood the concept of being close to his Guru. Leaving one's Guru must never happen.

Lalitopakhyanam again gives the following list as to how a sishya should be close with his Guru and offer his namaskarams :

If a person lives very next to his Guru he must meet him and do namaskarams thrice a day.

If a person lives near his Guru within a Krosa (the distance at which a man's call could be heard) he must do this daily.

If a person lives near his Guru within half a yojana (6.5 Km) he must meet his Guru atleast during the 5 parvas of a month.

If a person lives more than one yojana (13 kms) to twelve yojans(156 Kms) he must meet him according to the distance( ie 13 kms - Once a month, 26 Kms twice a month to 156 kms atleast once a year)

Apart from this, whenver a person wants he can anytime come to his Guru and offer his pranams

Guru Dakshina

And coming to Guru Dakshina - there is a saying in malayalam

"Kriya Avasanam Dakshina" - each action gets fulfilled only with a dakshina

The Hindu tradition of guru dakshina is a means to show the sishya's gratitude. He is paying his respects to the Lord who has appeared as Guru covered by a human skin. 

In general at the time completing Gurukulam or during Mantra upadesham Guru Dakshina is a must. Only with the Guru Dakshina - he may get the result fulfilled.

Also during important occasions, rituals, poojas and Vijaya Dasami days is the duty of the sishya to submit his offerings to his Guru. 

The dakshina may not not always monetary. At times, the Guru may ask his sishya to execute an important task as his dakshina.

So please remember - No book or mantra can bestow the Knowledge of Self. Only by gurukripa a sadhaka can attain his self or reach his Ishtadevata

Relationship with your Guru

If you're not feeling close to the Guru, it's because of you. Because of your mind, because of your ego concepts. Share with the Guru that which is very important or intimate to you. Share that. Do not feel shame, shy, or judgmental about yourself.


Unless you express to the Master that which is very intimate and important to you, just being on the formal and informal communication levels cannot make you feel close. "How are you, where are you going? How have you been?" Stop formal and superficial conversations with the Master and speak with your heart that which is very important and intimate, very deep to your life. Don't just say how much the squash costs, 30 cents or whatever. 

If you don't feel close to the Master, there's no point in having a Master. It is just another burden to you. You have enough already. Just say "Goodbye," get rid of it. 

Salagrama Puja at Houses

One of my friend visited my house and saw our saligramam we need 

to reconfirm and wish to know what type of saligramam we have in our house. And wish to know the name etc., 

But as below mentioned saligrama is Vishnu's, how Iyers who are generally Shaiva like us having the same. I have seen my grant father, father praying rudram while performing pooja. Do sivalinga will also have holes in it ??? 

Is it necessary we need keep close the saligram and Linka after Pooja and archana?? Iam having close room for my temple so I never closed after pooja. Kindly 

clarify

A Devotee

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Salagrama is a small roundish black stone with a small hole and has some distinctive marking like Chakra or shankha etc. These Salagramas are worshipped as Vishnu himself. 

A home with a Salagramam is regarded as a temple. Nitya Abhisheka and Aradhana is recommended for the Salagrama. The Salagramam when properly worshiped will nullify the evil effects of black magic within a radius of 5 miles from its location.

You can read the origin of Salagramam from my book Shri Maha Sastha Vijayam - the first chapter of Sastha Jananam - ie the river Gandaki originated from Mohini Avatara Vishnu's body - so the sacred stones from this river is considered as vishnu himself. Its actually the shell of the worms in the river Gandaki and its body is covered by a stone cover or shell known as Vajrakita and they came to be called as Salagramas.

gandakyAs cha iva dEsE cha sAlagrAma Stalam mahat

pAshanam tad bhavam yath thath sAlagrAmam iti smrtham

Near the Gandaki River, there is a big place called Shalagram. The stones which appear in that place are called Shalagramam

There is a detailed work called Salagram Kosha - which explains the significance and varieties and methods of worship for a Salagrama.

Each house may a have a different Salagrama as per the family tradition. You may esquire your family elders regarding this. Iam afraid that I cannot judge which salagramam you are having without seeing it personally. From the description you are giving, I think its general Maha Vishnu Salagrama.

The Salagramas used for puja at home generally has a hole. Having the rekhas, marks etc is not a must. Please note that even if it has a crack or split, it is still auspiciousa and can be worshiped. If it is broken into two -  it can be worshipped as two separate Moorthis. And this is directly opposite in the case of Shiva linga - even if there is a small crack in a Shiva Linga it should not be used for worship.

And coming to an important question  - How Iyers are worshipping Salagrama ? 

IYERS ARE NOT SHAIVAITES !!!

Iyers or Smarthas are people who treat every God as a manifestation of one Supreme being. Just because Smarthas adore Bhasma(vibhuti) and associated with Adhi Shankara, most of the people (including Iyers) are of the opinion that we are Shaivaites - which is not at all true.

Smarthas are people who believe in One Supremacy and worshiped it in different forms. We dont differentiate between Shiva and Vishnu. Adhi Shankara taught this principle. And you can see the Stotras of Shankara that he praises Vishnu than a staunch Vaishnavite.

Each Smartha House had a complete Set of Panchayata - which includes -

1.Shiva Linga

2.Vishnu Salagrama

3.Ganapati Sonabadra

4.Surya Spatika

5. Devi Swarnamuki

According to the family tradition one deity may gain primary position and other are placed around it.

Please read my article on Panchayatana Puja 

http://shanmatha.blogspot.com/2009/11/panchayatana-puja.html

We dont differentiate between Shiva and Vishnu and So its no wonder worshipping a Vishnu Salagrama by an Iyer. 

Even the Shringeri Acharyas worship the Nrisimha Salagrama which is handed down in the lineage by Adhi Shankara himself. The Shri Chankr at Kamakoti Peetam, Kanchipuram is engraved on a Salagrama Stone.

Strict Acharas has to be followed regarding Devata Puja. Worshipping framed pictures and doing Yatha Sthanam after the puja is totally a different procedure. 

But these Salagramam, Shivalingam etc has Nitya Sannidyam of the Devatas and even a small Anachara may result in adverse effect. Thats the reason our ancestors were very careful in handling with these and so closed the Puja gruham immediately after the puja