The next item is the Tarpana ceremony, or offering of water to the Devatas, Rishis, and Pitris. The sacred thread is placed over the left shoulder and under the right arm (upavita), and water is taken in the right hand, and poured as an offering to the Devatas. Then, with the sacred thread round the neck like a necklace (niviti), the worshipper pours water for the Rishis. Lastly, the sacred thread is placed over the right shoulder (prachina vithi) and water is poured for the Pitris (ancestors).
The various ceremonies described so far should be performed by all the male members of a family, whereas the daily Devatarchana or Devata puja is generally done by any one member of a family. The gods worshipped by pious Brahmans are Siva and Vishnu, and their consorts Parvati and Lakshmi. Homage is paid thereto through images, salagrama stones, or stone lingams. In the house of a Brahman, a corner or special room is set apart for the worship of the god. Some families keep their gods in a small almirah (chest).
Smarthas use in their domestic worship five stones, viz.:--
1. Salagrama, representing Vishnu. 2. Bana linga, a white stone representing the essence of Siva. 3. A red stone (jasper), representing Ganesha. 4. A bit of metallic ore, representing Parvathi, or a lingam representing Siva and Parvathi. 5. A piece of pebble or crystal, to represent the sun.