Question 1: What constitutes the Paithrumedika Karma / Apara Karma?
Question 2: What are the materials or items provided in Brahmatheertham to perform rituals?
Question 3: Can we have cooks of our choice to cook for the rituals?
Question 4: What if our family cook is not registered in Brahmatheertham?
Question 5: Our Vadhyar / Acharya / Vaideeka is not registered with Brahmatheertham, How can we book?
Question 6: Who will arrange for Brahmanas ( Sadhu Brahmanas) to receive Dhanams? How?
Question 7: What is contribution for Vrushotsarjanam and Pratyaksha Go Dhanam?
Question 8: Can we get additional entry passes? How?
Question 9: Is outside catering food allowed within Brahmatheertham premises?
Question 10: Is there a place to dry wet clothes after performing ritual?

Question 1: What constitutes the Paithrumedika Karma / Apara Karma?
The details below are indicative. However, it is suggested to have clear understanding with Gruha Acharya / Vadhyar or one's family elders.
The sequence of rituals that is been done from the day of demise are:

Rituals to do in Cremation  Ground Day 1: Dhahanam Day 2: Sanchayanam

Rituals to do at Home / Brahmatheertham
Day1 or Day 2 or Day 9

• Nagna Shradham ( First Day)
• Paashana Sthapanam ( Kal Oondral) (First Day)

 Two Paashanas (Stones) are installed at two different places via

• Gruha Dwara Kundam
• Nadhi Theera / Thadaga Theera Kundam

respectively. The Atma ( Preta) of the deceased is embodied in the stone and subsequent rituals are done.

• Nithya Vidhi (Day 1- 9 / Day 9)
• Vaasodhakam
• Thilodhakam
• Pindapradhanam
• Ekoththara Vrudhi Shrardham
• Nava Shrardham

*As per shastras the Nithyavidhi from Pashana sthapanam should be done on Day 1 itself.
**However, in general it is done from Day 2 through Day 9
***In case of unavoidable circumstances the same can be done from Day 9 which should be avoided to the maximum possible.
Day 10
Dasaham / Dassasthu

• Dhayathi Tharpanam
• Kshavaram
• Prabhootha Bali
• Paashana Uthaapanam
• Kartha Kshavaram
• Shanthi , Aanandha Homam

Day 11
Ekothishtam

• Punyaham
• Navashrardham
• Vrushaba Utsarjanam
• Aadhya Maasikam
• Aavrudhaya Masikam

Day 12

• Punyaham
• Oupaasanam
• Shodasam
• Sapindeekaranam
• Dhanams
• Sodhakumbam

Day 13
SubhaSweekaram

Question 2: What are the materials or items provided in Brahmatheertham to perform rituals?
On making a booking in Brahmatheertham the Gruhastha is provided all the necessary items / materials needed to perform the Nithyavidhi, Dasaham, Ekothistam and Sapindeekaranam.
Maximum care is taken to provide the materials  required in a well packed, easily usable packs.
The materials are provided in Kits. Please Click here to know the various kits provided by Brahmatheertham.
Perishable items required will be provided on a day-to-day basis at the appropriate rooms itself.
Materials from outside is not permitted within Brahmatheertham.
Click Here to know about the Materials that are not provided in the Kits that the Gruhastha should bring or arrange.
1) Vasthram for Kalasam and Brahmanas
2) Dhanam Materials
3) Materials for 10th day Ishta Panthi Bhojana ( Food for relatives)
3) Shodasa Brahmana Rice Dhanam Container
Note:

• Various Dhanams are prescribed in Shastras that are to be given.
• Dhanams can be given by Gruhasthas as per their wish and to maximum possible limits
• Please consult your Gruha Acharya / Vadhyar / Vaideeka while deciding the dhanams, vasthrams etc..
• It is nowdays an accepted practice that a standard set of Dhanams are given and all the Icha Dhanams and others are given in form of Dhakshina ( Money)
• The above arrangement is in practice because, there are no Brahmanas available to receive all the Dhanas and the limited set of available Brahmanas receive the same Dhana items again and again which is not practically usable for them and hence they dispose it for scrap.
• Hence the consultation of Gruha Acharya is suggested.

Click Here to know more on Dhanas

Question 3: Can we have cooks of our choice to cook for the rituals?
There are cooks who are registered with Brahmatheertham. During the booking process you can opt for booking as a package with the cook. During such bookings the registered cooks are allocated  on a rotational basis.  However, the list of registered cooks are available in the site. You can book cooks separately by directly contacting them.
Please Click Here to view the list of registered cooks.
Note:             
1. Cooks who are not registered at Brahmatheertham are not generally encouraged to cook for the rituals.
2. If an unregistered cook needs to be allowed to cook for the rituals, the responsibility of the cook's conduct within Brahmatheertham premises lies with the Gruhastha. The cook needs to be notified to the Brahmatheertham office for registration on the spot and needs to be authorised by the registered Vaideega / Vathyar.

Question 4: What if our family cook is not registered in Brahmatheertham?
If an unregistered cook needs to be allowed to cook for the rituals, the responsibility of the cooks conduct within Brahmatheertham premises lies with the Gruhastha. The cook needs to be notified to the Brahmatheertham office for registration on the spot and authorised by the registered Vaideega / Vathyar.

Question 5: Our Vadhyar / Acharya / Vaideeka is not registered with Brahmatheertham, How can we book?
Booking of facilities in Brahmatheertham shall be done with reference to any of the registered Vaidheekas / Vathyars at all time.
However, post booking the unregistered vathyar can be allowed to perform vaidheeka karyam with the suggestion of the registered vathyar and with appropriate Entry passes.
Click Here to view the list of Registered Vaideekas at Brahmatheertham.

Question 6: Who will arrange for Brahmanas ( Sadhu Brahmanas) to receive Dhanams? How?

• There are list of registered Sadhu Brahmanas who recieve Dhanams.
• However, Sadhu Brahmanas can be arranged by Gruhasthas or Vadhyars.
• A separate room is available for Sadhu Brahmanas to be seated comfortably.
• Gruhasthas can use separate entry passes to let Sadhu Brahmanas in to their place of performing ritual only during the time of giving Dhanams.
  
  

Question 7: What is contribution for Vrushotsarjanam and Pratyaksha Go Dhanam?
A separate Go Shala is maintained within the premises of Brahmatheertham that has a cow and a male calf.
During the Eleventh day Ritual of Vrushotsarjanam the ritual can be done with the calf and a contribution is received for the performance of the same.
A separate contribution is received for Gho Dhanam.
These contributions are utilised for the maintenance and for the feeds of Go Shala

Question 8: Can we get additional entry passes? How?
At the time of booking  Brahmatheertham issues 6 entry passes to be used for every day.
However, Gruhastha / Kartha shall request the Office for issuance of additional passes.
A maximum of 50 passes shall be given, particularly for Day 10.
Gruhasthas are suggested to avoid receiving more Entry Passes, which shall ensure less crowding of the premises and facilitating other Gruhasthas / Karthas who perform rituals to feel comfortable.

Question 9: Is outside catering food allowed within Brahmatheertham premises?
Brahamatheertham is built and maintained to provide a serene and comfortable ambience to perform Pitru karmas.

Question 10:  Is there a place to dry wet clothes after performing ritual?
Drying or hanging wet clothes within Brahmatheertham is strictly prohibited. Gruhasthas and their relatives shall make necessary arrangements to pack wet clothes and dry them outside Brahmatheertham premises. Gruhasthas are responsible for the conduct of their relatives and should ensure the serenity of the place is not disturbed by any means respecting others who perform rituals.