As orthodox Brahmins are obliged to perform regular periodic śrāddhas (memorial rituals) that are performed over the period of one year. Śrāddha is performed on the 30th, 45th, 60th, 75th, 90th, 120th, 175th, 190th , 210th , 240th , 270th, 300th, and 330th days. The 1st year anniversary ceremonies last for 4 days and several Brahmins are fed and much donations and gifts distributed in the name of the deceased. The original prescription was to perform the final farewell ceremony to the deceased at the anniversary – this is known as the sapiṇḍi-karaṇa ritual.

So while these ceremonies were going on in their homes. bhramins would avoid celebrating marriages and happy occasions but would still attend temple services and festivals. These ceremonies are now only performed by orthodox Brahmins – the majority of Brahmins have given them up and they have the Sapiṇḍikaraṇa ritual done on the 12th day – thus cutting it short.

For non-Brahmins there is no rule about not attending a temple or abstaining from performing puja for a year.

Priests & monastics (monks and nuns)

The Monastics – sanyāsis – have renounced the world as well as all ritual activities and should strictly speaking have nothing to do with rituals – other than those they perform for themselves. They are celibate and do not have anything to do with their families.

The priests are divided into two major groups:—

Temple priests (archakas) and domestic priests (purohits)

Domestic priests are again divided into two groups:-

Those who perform all the sacraments before death (pūrva-prayogis) and those who deal with all the death, cremation and obsequial and memorial rites (apara-prayogis).

In western countries there are only a few priests who conduct both types of ceremonies.

Hindu Clergy

1. Temple Priests (archakas) – are supposed to only serve in the temple but often do side-jobs in their spare time. They have an obligation to marry and have families.
2. Domestic Priests (purohits) – are those priests who come to one’s home to perform sacraments and rituals. They are not employed by all Hindus and some castes do not use their services at all. Domestic priests are usually married with families.

Functions

Since the Hindu tradition is highly decentralized, the occupation of the priest is not certified by any central authority. The religious practices and the capabilities required for the various roles of the priest are verified and affirmed in the context of the community where the priest traditionally receives training, engages in the occupation, and is recognized as competent based on the quality of his work.

Hindu Priests are actually ritual technicians. There are a vast number of rituals which are performed, among them 16 sacraments and hundreds of other rituals – there is a ritual for every imaginable occasion. Unlike Christian, Jewish and Islamic clergy — Hindu clergy do not deliver sermons. Some may give teachings or discourses on specific topics to select audiences but sermons and lectures are not part of their duties.

Hindu monks and nuns on the other hand do not engage in rituals but spend most of their time meditating and teaching.

Temple Priests (Archakas)

Hindu temples function differently to churches, synagogues and mosques.

The temple is literally the home of the deity. The deity is an image which is consecrated according to elaborate rites and ceremonies which take 3 to 10 days to accomplish. Once a temple is consecrated, there are a series of daily rituals which are to be performed from early morning till late at night. These rituals are performed independent of the presence of a ‘congregation’. Attendance at a temple is an individual affair and people come whenever they desire to make offerings to the deity. On festival days large numbers of people will attend the ceremonies.

Dharma is not only changeable as already conveyed by previous responders, Dharma subject to democratic consensus

According to the Mahabharata, actions opposed by the people (loka-viruddha) are as sinful as those condemned by the Veda (veda-viruddha).

Other law-givers have this to say:–

karmaṇā manasā vācā yatnād dharmaṃ samācaret | asvargyaṃ loka-vidviṣṭaṃ dharmyam apy ācaren na tu ||

One should strive hard through body mind and speech to practice Dharma, but, a (so-called) dharma which will not result in happiness and is disapproved of by the people (loka-vidvista) must not be practiced”. (Yajñavalkya 1:156)

parityajed artha kāmau yau syātāṁ dharma-varjitau | dharmaṁ ca-apy asukha udarkaṁ loka-saṅkruṣṭam eva ca ||

One should renounce artha (prosperity) and kama (pleasure) if they conflict with dharma (morality) and even dharma must be renounced if it results in future unhappiness or arouses people’s indignation. (Manu 4:176)

So in other words, if something is considered a Dharma even by the Vedas, if it offends the people among whom you settle then you are obliged to relinquish it.

So for example, the caste system is considered a Dharma (varṇāśrama-dharma) but since it is deeply offensive in all liberal democracies – it can be totally abandoned by Hindu migrants – in fact they are advised to do so by the scriptures themselves!

Another example would be child marriage – approved of by some Shastras but condemned by all sensible people — out it goes! With the blessings of the Law-givers.

No other religion has this most salubrious, sensible and beneficial injunction inbuilt into it’s very core!

Rami Sivan