Archa-Vigraha or Deity: Deity Worship

Q. You have explained that the Supreme Lord Himself personally descends in the archa-murti at the request of the acharyas, and invests all His spiritual potencies within the Deity.

The use of the word "descends" creates the impression in my mind that the murti is like a residence, with the Lord being free to leave anytime if He is not well taken care of. I've also heard from a senior vaishnava that Srila Prabhupada had once stated that the deity form is Krishna.

Q. I am from Southern part of India and it is true that the deities in South Indian style temples are different from our ISKCON deities. I have heard some people making comments about this and also the way deities are dressed/decorated. One person even asked me if I believe in north Indian Gods and their kind of worship. How should one answer such questions?

Q. When we do arati why do we offer incense, lamp, water, kerchief, flowers, chamara, and peacock fan.  What do these offerings signify?

Arati is an offering of respect, welcome to an exalted personality, such as a king or a brahmana.  Since the greatest exalted person is the Supreme Lord, it is most appropriate to offer arati to Him.

Q. I believe Krishna never sleeps and I am not good at doing Deity worship. But I like to chant and sing all day and night. Can I sing to Krishna after 9 PM (bedtime for Deities)?

Your desire to chant and sing for Krishna is nice. This is a proper devotional sentiment that must be carefully nurtured by following the directions of the scriptures and Krishna's pure devotees.