Mumbai: The 102 year old Matunga temple the Asthika Samaj celebrated Maha Kumbhabishekam, after 12 years, as per the Shastras for Lord Ganapathi, Lord Shiva, Lord Subramania (Karthik) and Navagraha Devatas. This was performed by Sivasri R.Selvam Bhattar Kalyanasundarasivacharyar along with his 50 disciples from Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, from January 27 to February 2, 2025.

The primary event for this involves the pouring of holy water from copper pots onto the Gopuram and also for the temple deities. “This holy water is imbued with divine energy invoked through continuous Vedic chanting and performing Homams,” said the temple secretary P.V.Ramaswamy. The ritual is performed to re-energise the temple and restore sanctity of the divine space, marking a powerful spiritual rejuvenation of the temple and its deities, he added. All the idols are kept in water for 24 hours before they are taken out for re-installation.

Various homams were performed for seven days prior to the ceremony, each invoking specific deities and cosmic energies. These homams include Ganapathi homams, Rudra homam, Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswathi homam ,Sri Shatru Samhara Trishati and Navagraha homams. These fire rituals ensure the spiritual purification of the entire temple complex. Along with this continuous Vedic chanting and poojas by learned scholars and priests resonate throughout the event, said Ramaswamy. The vibrations created by these sacred sounds are believed to bring positive energy, peace and blessings to all attendees, he said.