Annabhishekam at Arunachaleswarar Temple

Annabhishekam is held only once a year on the Full Moon day in the seventh month of the Tamil year i.e. Aippasi (October/November). This year Annabhishekam was performed during the full moon which fell on October 29th, 2012. 

Annabhishekam which is performed at Shiva Temples, is connected to the rice harvesting time. It is performed at the time of the Full Moon as it is considered to have the enegies of bounty, abundance and expansion. This festival gives an opportunity to people, who believe that God is the creator of food and life, to show gratitude for the bounty they have received. 

The following photographs of the recently performed annabhishekam at Arunachaleswarar Temple were taken of the annabhishekam performed upon the Shiva Lingam at the Kalyana Sundareswarar Sannathi. This Sannathi is located opposite the Periyar Nandi Statue and stands at the southern side of the broad flight of stone stairs leading up to the Vallala Maharaja Gopuram.