avahana

Avahana is a Sanskrit term used in Hindu ritual contexts to denote the invocation or calling of a deity to descend and reside in a sacred image, idol, altar, or ritual space for the duration of a ceremony. The practice signifies inviting the divine presence to participate in the rite and to accept offerings and prayers performed within the consecrated setting.

In temple worship and Vedic rites, avahana is the formal act of inviting the deity to inhabit the murti or sanctified space. It is often performed after or as part of the consecration (prana-pratishtha) of an image and precedes the main offerings and procedures of the ritual. The invocation is typically accompanied by mantras drawn from the Vedas or temple scriptures (such as the Agamas in some traditions) and may be followed by standard worship procedures, including offerings, recitations, and arati.

The precise form and wording of avahana vary across Hindu traditions, including Vaishnava, Shaiva, and Shakta practices, reflecting different scriptural authorities and regional customs. In ritual manuals and liturgical literature, avahana is presented as a bridging act that makes the divine presence accessible to worshipers, enabling a reciprocal relationship between the deity and the devotee.

In contemporary practice, avahana remains a standard aspect of formal puja and temple ceremonies, as well as more elaborate vedic rites. It underscores the belief that a deity can be invited to dwell within a sacred image or space, thereby sanctifying the ritual act.