Heritage Of Ashtayam Sewa Of Radhavallabh Sect
"Heritage" as the word suggests refers to the tradition followed by the Goswamis or priests of the temple of offering their service to Sriji ,daily in a systematic order as per their scriptures potray.In the scripts it is penned under the name of "Ashtayam Sewa"."Ashtayam sewa" refers to the daily service offered in the honor of Shri Radha vallabhji.Also regarded as "Nitya Sewa",this refers to "Ashta-Sewa" meaning "Eight services" offered each day. "Ashtayam" literally refer to the eight "pahars" in a day.
According to Hindu calendar
1 day comprises eight "pahars",
1 "pahar"=3 hours
Henceforth 8 "pahars"=24 hours which make a day.
Every time interval is compelled with a service which is carried out dutifully by the "goswamis"-priests of the temple. In a nutshell, these "sewa" or service offered in the honor of lord are carried out in a orderly manner,the daily routine of service to Sriji is performed with minute accuracy; the lord is hence regaled with necessities and luxuries of life in due succession,even to changing of clothes, offering of cooked food, fruits etc. and Sriji's parting to rest.
The eight sewas carried out are divided in time and type of service offered :
Mangala Aarti Harivansh Mangla Aarti
Dhoop Sringaar Aarti Sringaar Aarti
Rajbhog Aarti Dhoop Sandhya Aarti
Sandhya Aarti Shayan Aarti
| HOURS | BHOG | AARTI | SEWA |
| Dawn | "Paan Bida"-Dry
Fruits In Betel Leaf, White Butter,Milk, "Misri"-Sugar. |
MANGALA AARTI | God is awakened in the"Sijja mandir" and
brought |
| Morning Hours | - | SRINGAAR DHOOP AARTI |
Sriji is given bath with scented water of Yamuna, dressed and adorned with jewel, "Nijmandir" door open and aarti is performed. |
| Morning Hours | "Kinka Prasad"-Bhog
Of Sringaar |
SHRINGAAR AARTI | After 15 minutes sringaar aarti is performed, after which Bhog &"Charanamrit"-bathed water of sriji, is distributed to devotees. |
| Noon | " Raj Bhog-Sakhra"- Lentil, Rice, Curry, Chapatti and 'Kheer' -Sweet Rice Porridge Served. |
RAJ BHOG AARTI |
The ornaments and the robe are taken off, and sriji is offered raj bhog in the "Bhog mandir"-dining room. After this curtain is pulled off and aarti is performed. Doors close for the day. |
| Evening hours |
"Utthapan Bhog"-sweets etc. | - | This bhog is offered to sriji as they awaken from the "Madhyanha-Shayan"-noon nap. |
| Evening hours | - | SANDHYA DHOOP AARTI. | Aarti is performed after bhog. During this sriji is bejeweled with flute. |
| Evening hours | "Sandhya
Bhog" -Chopped fruits etc. |
SANDHYA AARTI. | Bhog is offered to sriji,after which aarti is performed. |
| Night Hours | "Shayan
Bhog- Nikhra"- poori, kachauri, saag, raita, sweets etc. |
SHAYAN AARTI | Aarti is performed; sriji gets retired for the day. Flowers, Bhog & charanamrit distributed among devotees. |