Panchayathana puja during bereavement times

[srisridhar]

Namaskarams

I would like to know if one has to stop doing Panchayathana puja during time of bereavement of family member. My periamma (father's brother's wife) attained HIS lotus feet yesterday. When should I resume doing the puja? What about doing jabam (panchkchara jabam not gayathri jabam)
If I can't do it until 13th day can I do nivethiyam?
Thanks a lot for your reply.
Sridhar

[Kanchi Periva]

Dear Sri srisridhar

In the given situation, you would have the 13 day theettu, because of the relationship from your father side. Considering this, only Sandhyavandanam is allowed and no other Pooja or Japam is to be performed till the Greakyam (13th day) is completed. Neivedyam also must stay on hold until then.

Generally in such situations, if you suspect a situation of asowcam coming in (before you receive the news of death etc), you can move the deity over to a neighbor or relative's home and request them to do neivedyam on your behalf until you take it back - this is in practice by many families, but must not be done after the news of death is received.

Note that 13 days would be applicable only in the home where the death occurred. Otherwise, the asowcam might be limited to 10 days, or even shorter, depending on the various rules available in the Dharma Sastras.

Hope this helps.

[srisridhar]

Thanks much for clearing my doubts, I will ask my mother in law to do nivethiyam everyday until I can resume puja.