The Sweet Nectar of Madurai
From the grand Meenakshi citadel to hundreds of roadside shrines, explore the historic streets of this deeply devout South Indian […]
Hindu Priesthood
Embers of Devotion
A Rishi’s Reflections about One of History’s Oldest Forms of Worship The following is a selection of verses from Rishi
The Ancient Agamas Have Solutions for Modern Issues in Temple Administration
These detailed manuals cover everything from how to build temples to the worship rituals and every aspect of practical management
Our 2020 Hindus of the Year
Chidambaram’s Dikshitar priests have faithfully served the temple for over two millennia By Choodie Shivaram, Bengaluru The magnificent chidambaram siva
Training Priests for Our 21st-Century Hindu World
SPEACIAL FEATURE An unusual school dedicated to training new generations of Saivite Hindu priests is situated in a sheltered corner
Kerala: Facing and Fixing a Shortage of Priests
MADHURAJ Adopting the vocation: Students of the Thantravidhya Gurukulam at Paravur, under the leadership of Rakesh Thantri (second from left).
Opinion: Adi Saiva Priests and Funeral Rites
There are two classes of brahmins–adi saivas (siva vipras or Sivabrahmins) and the common brahmins (samanya vipras). Only the Sivabrahmins
Priesthood: Meet Kerala’s 13-Year-Old Priestess
BY G.K. NAIR Ever since Jyothsna can remember, she’s been hearing verses from the Thantra scriptures of Kerala. This divine
Priestly Patriarch
The priestly profession has been greatly reduced in stature in the last two hundred years by the forces of secularization
ANCIENT INITIATION
By Chantal Boulanger When visiting the great Saiva temples of Tamil Nadu, pilgrims cannot enter the sanctum sanctorum. They must