The Livermore Shiva Vishnu Temple will be celebrating its Maha Kumbhabhishekam between June 16-20, 2010.
Significance of Mahakumbhabhishekam
Though temples are built in the best traditional design with good materials, there may be portions of the temple which need renovation or repair after some time. Such renovations are usually done once in twelve years when Mahakumbhaabhishekams are performed by the devotees to renew their dedication to the temple and to re-vitalize their connection to the divine.
During such Mahakumbhabhishekams, the power of the temple deities is temporarily transferred by the priests to the kumbhas. These kumbhas are placed in the hall of ritualistic worship (Yagashala), where daily worship and rituals as well as special rituals are performed. During this period, the main sanctums and shrines are cleaned and renovated.
This is also the occasion for installing new vigrahas, brass kalashas on the gopuras, and any other special items in the temple. The new vigrahas are sanctified by purificatory rituals with water, milk Venkateshwara have separate Dhwajasthambhas , as laid down in the Agamas (religious texts). As an integral part of the Dhwajasthambha complex, the vehicles for each deity (Nandi for Shiva and Garuda for Vishnu) are situated facing the respective deity.
The three entities stand in line facing the and other ingredients, followed by netronmelana (eye-opening ceremony) for the new vigrahas, homas, and the ritual offering of cooked food. After the installation is completed, the divine energy is transferred back to the moola vigrahas of the temple as well as to the new vigrahas and kalashas by performing the Mahakumbhaabhishekam with the water from the kumbhas accompanied by the chanting of special mantras.
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