Showing posts with label Mahakumbhabhishekam. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mahakumbhabhishekam. Show all posts

9 March 2016

Renovations at Arunachaleswarar Temple 2016


Renovations and restorations continue at Arunachaleswarar Temple in preparation for the Mahakumbhabishkem which is scheduled for June, 2016. 



The Vimanas on top of Shrine, and attendant Nandis are all being painted

Progress can be seen at the Temple by the rate the scaffolding is coming down around the Shrines and Gopurams

Lord Ganesha Shrine in the 4th Prakaram

Very handsome Nandi on wall of the Brahma Theertham, 4th Prakaram

On top of the Brahma Lingam (five-faced Lingam) at the 4th Prakaram

Painting of Vimana and statues on top of Brahma Lingam completed

Restoration work on some Gopurams has already been completed and scaffolding removed

View of Brahma Teertham and the Bhairavi Shrine

27 August 2013

Pictures from Ramana Ashram 25 August 2013 Mahakumbhabhishekam



The below are photographs I took yesterday at the Mahakumbhabhishekam Function at Ramana Ashram, August 25, 2013. I arrived at the Ashram after the Mahakumbhabhishekam had just completed on the roof of the Ashram, and the crowds on the roof were beginning to file down. And be replaced by other pilgrims wanting to go onto the roof to pranam at the Kumbhas of the Gopuram and two Vimanas. 

There seemed to be so much going on simultaneously. Puja to the various Gods in the Mother Shrine had already been completed. The outside temporary dining area was just about to be prepared with leaves and tumblers for the first lunch sitting. Young workers were carrying out large pots of food to various outside eating areas. Artisans were completing the flower work to enshrine the Sri Ramana Mahaharshi Mahalingam. 

Large crowds were waiting outside the old and new dining-halls in order to make the first sitting in those places. Some other devotees were trying to squeeze into the already congested Samadhi Hall and Mother Shrine, in order to watch the Maha Abhishekams. Even though there was quite a crush, most remained patient and good natured throughout what was a very beautiful and well organised 3-day function at Sri Ramana Maharshi Ashram. 



Sri Ganesha Mother Shrine

Lingodbhavamurti outside Mother Shrine

Goddess Durga outside Mother Shrine

Flower artisans crafting flower arrangements for Sri Ramana Shrine

Ready to lay leaves and tumblers inside temporary dining structure

Young workers beginning to carry out heavy food pots

Crowds coming down from roof and milling around


Kumbhabhishekam is a Hindu Temple ritual that is believed to homogenize, synergize and unite the mystic powers of the deity. Kumbha means the Head and denotes the Shikhara or Crown of the Temple (usually in the Gopuram) and Abhishekam is ritual bathing, (hence the term Kumbha + Abhishekam). 

During this elaborate event, homams conducted according to the agamas, are performed by priests in the Yagasala outside the Temple over the preceding days. These homams infuse divinity and spiritual power into kalasas (sanctified pots) filled with consecrated water. 

Divine Power is transferred back to the deities by performing an abhishekam (salutary bathing) to the Vigrahas and Vimanas (pinnacles) on the roof with the sanctified holy waters from the kalasas accompanied by Vedic chanting and special rites. On that day at the designated auspicious time the Kumbha is bathed with the charged and sanctified holy waters contained in the sacrificial pots. 



Kumbhas on top of the Ramana Ashram Gopuram

Young priest trying to escape from the burning hot roof



After completion of the Function, devotees climb the scaffolding

Kumbha on top of Mother Shrine Vimana

Climbing down from Ramana Maharshi Vimana

Kumbha on top of Sri Ramana Maharshi Vimana

Devotees waiting for lunch, first sitting in New Dining Hall

Crowds milling around at front of Ramana Ashram

Maha Deeparadhanai, Sri Ramana Maharshi Samadhi

Maha Deeparadhanai

Maha Deeparadhanai at Matrubhuteswara Shrine

A serene looking little girl at Ashram Function

A little 'un playing in the trees at back of Ashram


25 August 2013

Mahakumbhabhishekam -- Ramana Ashram -- August 25, 2013


For two days (August 23rd and 24th) Homams were performed in the specially constructed Yagasala outside the Shrines at Ramana Ashram in order to infuse divinity and spiritual power into sanctified pots (kalasas) filled with consecrated water. 

Today during the Mahabhishekham programme Divine Power was transferred back by performing a salutary bathing (abhishekam) to the Gopuram and two Vimanas on the roof with the sanctified waters from the Kalasas. This ritual was performed while being accompanied by Vedic chanting and special rites. 

After the consecration on the roof of the Ashram, worship was then performed inside the Sanctum Sanctorums of the Ramana Maharshi Samadhi and Mother Shrine (Matrubhuteswara Shrine), in which further powers/energy were transferred to the Shrines. 



Left to Right: Gopuram, Mother Vimana, Sri Ramana Vimana


Left Mother Vimana, right Sri Ramana Vimana

Vimana over Matrubhuteswara (Mother) Shrine

Vimana over Sri Ramana Maharshi Shrine

Devotees watching Maha Abhishekam, Sri Ramana Shrine


Pouring the sanctified water over Mahalingam

[Thanks to Sethu, an officially accredited photographer for these remarkable photographs]. 

22 August 2013

Kumbhabhishekam event at Sri Ramana Ashram, August 2013


Tomorrow, August 23rd, 2013 at 7.00 a.m. Vigneshwara Puja will be performed marking the beginning of official functions at Sri Ramana Maharshi Ashram leading to Mahakumbhabhishekam and Deeparadhanai of Sri Matrubhuteswara and Sri Ramana mahalingams on August 25. 

The three day function marks completion of the renovation to the shrines and repair to the Gopuram and Vimana above the Matrubhuteswara and Sri Ramana Shrines. 

For the official schedule of functions, please check out this earlier link






The foundation of the Matrubhuteswara Shrine, in commemoration of Sri Ramana’s Mother, was laid by him in September 1939. The construction of that Shrine then proceeded under his supervision in accordance with agama rules and was completed in 1949.

13 August 2013

2013 Mahakumbhabhishekam Sriramanasharam



A Mahakumbhabhishekam at Sri Ramanashram is scheduled between August 23rd, 2013 and August 25, 2013. 

The below programme lists the full schedule over the three day function. 



Right click to view enlargements