Guest guest Posted December 22, 2002 Report Share Posted December 22, 2002 Tirupathi Temple Priests : The Archakas here are Vaikhanasas who alone have the right to touch the main idol and offer worship directly. There are 4 families of hereditary priests, Paidipalli, Gollapalli, Chiguruvada and Vemuru. They operate in rotation, each family taking charge of the arrangement for worship for a year. The responsibility is tranfered at the commencement of the Brahmotsvam. An archaka is eligible to lead a life of a house holder, but is expected to remain celibate during the period of service on the hill. It is usual for him to work for about 20days in a month and spend the rest of the days with his family. No archaka is a native of the hill and hails from some place in Andhra, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. Most of the archakas are however ,from Kolar district in Karnataka. They speak Telugu at home and their community(Vaikhanasa) is very small. They also speak Kannada and Tamil fluently. The incumbents to hereditary offices incharge of the several details of worship are known as Kainkarya paras: Archakas-priests Jiyangars-supervisors Ekangi- assistant Yamunat turai-makers of flower garlands gamekars-cooks purohitam-astrologers acharya purushas-several minor services talapakam-musicians samaveda vadyar-vedic recitation golla-temple servant. regards Dilip Get Your Private, Free E-mail from Indiatimes at http://email.indiatimes.comBuy the best in Movies at http://www.videos.indiatimes.comNow bid just 7 Days in Advance and get Huge Discounts on Indian Airlines Flights. So log on to http://indianairlines.indiatimes.com and Bid Now ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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