Pray for answers to the list of queries related to Paduka Aradhanam: I perform Paduka Aradhanam during every Dwadasi before paranai. On days when Acharya Thirunakshatram occurs, I have also been advised only to offer fruits or kalkaNDu (Rock Sugar). Kindly explain why must we not offer Kesari, Paaysam, etc. for Paduka. My preceptor is the current 46th Srimad Azhagiya Singar; but I am performing aradhanam for the Paduka-s of the 45th Srimad Azhagiya Singar; should I also possess the Paduka-s of Prakrutam Srimad Azhagiya Singar? I am using separate lamps, plates, and vessels for Paduka aradhanam which are not used for Perumal Tiruvaradhanam. (I possess only one divine bell which I use for both Perumal and Paduka Tiruvaradhanam-s. Is this correct? Or must I buy a second divine bell for Paduka aradhanam?). Why do we sprinkle (prokshanam) of Paduka teertham before partaking? And why do we first partake Perumal teertham and sprinkle later? I have been told to perform Paduka aradhanam at a distance from the Perumal sanctum; but when is it said that one’s Acharya is supreme than even Perumal, why is Paduka aradhanam not performed along with Perumal Tiruvaradhanam? And why must Tulasi not be offered to the Paduka-s? A solar eclipse is set to occur in the Americas this October; will be performing Perumal Tiruvaradhanam during the solar eclipse (along with chanting of Sri Vishnu Sahasranam, performance of tharpanam). Should the Paduka thirumanjanam be performed during the eclipse or after the eclipse?

The substances offered to Paduka must not be mixed with other substances; we maintain separate sets of vessels for cooking, vessels for Perumal aradhanam, etc. Similarly, we need to have a separate set of vessels for Paduka aradhanam. Offerings such as flowers, fruits, etc. that were offered to Paduka-s must not be mixed with substances offered to Perumal. Hence if substances such as Kesari, etc. are offered to Paduka-s, they cannot be mixed with offerings for Perumal. Plus, as they’re also mentioned in the tradition that Paduka aradhanam is to be performed in a simple manner. It is said it is enough to perform Paduka aradhanam with simple offerings and special substances such as Kesari are not needed. Performing Paduka aradhanam that conforms to the ordains of tradition is special.
If possible, do include the Paduka-s of the 46th Srimad Azhagiya Singar. Though it is not a must, it is superior to perform all of these with devotion.
It is not appropriate to use the divine bell used for Perumal Tiruvaradhanam for Paduka aradhanam. One must have a separate unconsecrated divine bell for Paduka aradhanam. It is not a must to offer a divine bell to Paduka-s, but doing so is considered special.
Though both Perumal and Paduka teertham-s are sacred, to differentiate them both, we sprinkle Paduka teertham first before partaking and sprinkle Perumal teertham after we partake in it.
Because an Acharya unites us with Perumal, it is said that the Acharya is superior. It does not mean he is superior to Perumal since he is also a servant of Perumal. It is only the Perumal who is the supreme Lord of all and there is no one greater than him. Acharya is considered superior not because he is greater than Perumal, but because he unites us with Perumal. An Acharya is always a servant of Emperuman, hence we must place his Paduka-s at a level lower than that of Perumal.
Tulasi is dedicated solely to Perumal and must not be offered to anyone else. Since it must not come into contact with legs, it is not offered to the Paduka-s. Tulasi is a Nityasuri serving Perumal. We are servants of such Nityasuri-s. So, even if it is one’s Acharyan, Tulasi must not come into contact with his legs.
There is no need to perform thirumanjanam for Paduka-s during the solar eclipse and instead, it can be done after the eclipse.