The Sati Anusuya Temple follows the daily ritual schedule typical of a Vaishnava-Shaiva ashram, with particular emphasis on rituals honouring Sati Anusuya herself alongside the presiding deities.
Mangal Aarti (dawn): The day begins before sunrise with the Mangal Aarti — the awakening ceremony for the deities. The main idols of Sati Anusuya and Sage Atri are ritually woken with offerings of fragrant flowers, incense, and the ringing of bells. Accompanying deities (including the three infant forms of Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesh, which Anusuya is said to have nursed) also receive their morning prayers.
Abhishekam (ritual bath): The idols receive a ritual bathing with Panchamrit — a mixture of milk, curd, honey, ghee, and sugar — followed by water from the sacred springs in the ashram forest. This is performed once daily, typically in the morning after the Mangal Aarti. Devotees present during abhishekam are given a drop of the sacred water as prasad.
Puja and bhog (offering): At midday, the bhog (food offering) is prepared and presented to the deities. The standard bhog includes cooked rice, dal, seasonal vegetables, and sweets. After the offering, the food is distributed as maha-prasad to devotees and residents of the ashram.
Sandhya Aarti (evening prayer): At dusk, the evening aarti is conducted with lamps and incense. This is the more publicly attended of the two aartis — it is shorter and more accessible for day visitors who arrive in the afternoon.
Special rituals on festival days: Navaratri sees special Devi puja with flower offerings, Havan, and chanting of the Durga Saptashati. On Shivaratri, the Shiva lingam in the adjacent Shiva temple within the ashram complex receives special abhishekam. During Kartik Purnima, a lamp floating ceremony is conducted at the nearby river.
Related: Sati Anusuya Temple — Complete Guide
