How to make a home Altar ?

Hare Krsna Mataji,

PAMHO.

You could by a book - Beginner's Guide to Krsna Consciousness by HH Bhakti Vikas Maharaj. It will clear all your doubts.

Regarding keeping an altar in the bedroom - it is not advised, unless there is a major space constraint. Secondly, you want to keep deities of Jagannath. It is difficult to maintain Jagannath deities. They need to be offered prasadam every 3-4 hours. Every single day. I know of Indian devotee families, who are not keeping Jagannath deities in their altar only for the amount of service required. If you must keep, then start by keeping photos, they have less maintenance, therefore less aparadhs (offences). If you must keep Jagannath deities, then keep woodden Jagannath deities.

The presiding deity will be in the centre, one level below should be the guru parampara, Srila Prabhupada photo, your guru maharaj's photo.

If you maintain an altar, minimum standard of worship has to be done. There should be minimum one arati a day, bhoga offering atleast once a day. You have to put the deities to sleep by closing the altar lights every night and bidding them goodnight. In the morning, you have to open the altar again, switch on the lights after taking bath. Both times, (good morning and good night), you should offer obeisances.

You need to get an arati plate also - incence sticks, a five wick lamp, a water containing acaman cup with spoon, minimum. You should offer flowers to them everyday. In winters, cover them with miniature shawls or sweaters, basically take care of them like family members. I tell everyone, once you have an altar, you should mentally transfer the property rights of yoru house to The Presiding Deities. It is Their house, you are a servant in that house to serve Them.

If you have any further questions, pls feel free to ask.

Haribol,

Your servant,

Rashmi

Replies

Volunteer

Mohini Madhavi November 29, 2014 at 2:54pm

simple :)
E-Counselor

Radha Rasamayi DD November 4, 2014 at 11:11am

Hare Krsna Mataji,

PAMHO.

You could by a book - Beginner's Guide to Krsna Consciousness by HH Bhakti Vikas Maharaj. It will clear all your doubts.

Regarding keeping an altar in the bedroom - it is not advised, unless there is a major space constraint. Secondly, you want to keep deities of Jagannath. It is difficult to maintain Jagannath deities. They need to be offered prasadam every 3-4 hours. Every single day. I know of Indian devotee families, who are not keeping Jagannath deities in their altar only for the amount of service required. If you must keep, then start by keeping photos, they have less maintenance, therefore less aparadhs (offences). If you must keep Jagannath deities, then keep woodden Jagannath deities.

The presiding deity will be in the centre, one level below should be the guru parampara, Srila Prabhupada photo, your guru maharaj's photo.

If you maintain an altar, minimum standard of worship has to be done. There should be minimum one arati a day, bhoga offering atleast once a day. You have to put the deities to sleep by closing the altar lights every night and bidding them goodnight. In the morning, you have to open the altar again, switch on the lights after taking bath. Both times, (good morning and good night), you should offer obeisances.

You need to get an arati plate also - incence sticks, a five wick lamp, a water containing acaman cup with spoon, minimum. You should offer flowers to them everyday. In winters, cover them with miniature shawls or sweaters, basically take care of them like family members. I tell everyone, once you have an altar, you should mentally transfer the property rights of yoru house to The Presiding Deities. It is Their house, you are a servant in that house to serve Them.

If you have any further questions, pls feel free to ask.

Haribol,

Your servant,

Rashmi

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