Help

What is Mytheertha?

A working reference for South Indian Hindu temples, deities, rituals, and festivals, alongside a service that arranges rituals at those temples on behalf of diaspora families.

Who built Mytheertha?

Mytheertha is intentionally a quiet brand. The content is reviewed by a South Indian scholar on retainer. The site itself is built and operated by a small team that prefers to remain in the background. The work, not the people, is the point.

Is this an AI product?

Acharya is an AI-powered advisor designed to speak with the knowledge and patience of a respected family elder. The content of the site is human-sourced and reviewed by a scholar. We do not describe ourselves as an AI company because that is not the point of Mytheertha.

Do I need an account to talk with Acharya?

No, the free tier is open without an account. The premium tier requires an account so that the conversation can continue across sessions.

Will Acharya remember what I told it last time?

On the free tier, no. On the premium tier, yes. The premium tier remembers your lineage, your kuladevata, and the life events you are working with.

Can Acharya book a ritual for me?

No. Acharya advises. Sevaka books. If your question turns to arranging something, Acharya will hand the request to Sevaka.

Is the ritual really performed?

Yes. The ritual is performed by the priest who serves at the temple, on the date you choose, in your name. You receive video proof. The prasad is sent to your address.

How long does it take to receive the video and prasad?

Usually within ten days. Some temples and some prasad items can take a little longer.

Can I sponsor a ritual for someone else?

Yes. Many families sponsor rituals in the name of parents, children, or ancestors. You provide the names, gotra, and nakshatra of those in whose name the ritual is performed.

Which temples are available for remote rituals at launch?

Tirumala, Madurai Meenakshi, Rameshwaram, Srirangam, and Tiruchendur. More temples are added regularly. If your home temple is not yet listed, write to us and we will tell you whether we can add it.

Do you have guides on the ground in India yet?

Not in Phase 1. The current service is a digital concierge: itineraries, bookings, coordination. Full ground operations with dedicated cultural guides are being built and will be announced when ready.

Can you help with Sabarimala protocols?

Yes. The 41-day observance, the irumudi preparation, the trek, and the protocol around women's eligibility are all matters Sevaka can guide you through with proper respect for the temple's tradition.

Why does Acharya ask about my sampradaya?

Lineage shapes practice. The rituals proper to an Iyengar family differ from those proper to an Iyer family, which differ again from a Smartha family or a Madhva family. Asking about lineage is so the guidance is correct for your tradition, not to categorise you.

What if I do not know my lineage?

Many diaspora families do not. Acharya can help you trace it from the family deity, the home village, the temples your grandparents observed, and the rituals you remember from childhood.

The page on my home temple has an error. What do I do?

Write to editorial@mytheertha.com. Tell us what is wrong and, if you can, point us to the source. Corrections are made promptly and the page footer notes the date of the most recent revision. For other matters, reach us at support@mytheertha.com.

Why do you sometimes show contradictory traditions on the same temple page?

Because the tradition itself is plural. Different sampradayas disagree on small and large matters. Mytheertha shows the disagreement rather than picking the winner.

Which countries do you serve?

Fifty-two countries through the Stripe-supported payments network. If your country is not on the list at checkout, write to us.

What currencies are shown?

Local currency for your country at the display level, with the USD equivalent shown alongside.

Can I cancel the Acharya premium tier?

Any month. There is no commitment beyond the current month.