Annabhishekam at Mumbai Shankara Mattham

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Annabhishekam is a unique ritual that invokes the blessings of Lord Shiva. On this day, Shiva Lingam, the symbol of Lord Shiva’s energy, is hydrated with the traditional Abhishekam items such as holy water, turmeric powder, sandalwood paste, milk, sugarcane juice, honey, coconut water, curd and sacred ash. On completion, the idol is entirely covered with cooked rice, with an assortment of vegetables decorating the top of the Lingam. At the end of the ritual, after deeparadhana the covered rice is distributed as Prasad to everyone, not letting a single grain go waste. This year the festival falls on October 31.

This festival falls in the month of Aippasi on Purnima day and is  dedicated to Lord Shiva to thank him for prosperity of the farmland and increase in farm produce. With priests decorating the temple, devotees offer rice which is cooked. In Mumbai Sri Shankara Mattam at Matunga conducts this festival for more than 60 years.

Ganesha Sastrigal, chief priest of the temple, said the decoration takes nearly five hours. “We use 15 kilogram of cooked rice mixed with milk and butter to apply on the Shiva Linga and add fruits to make it colorful “.In the evening Rudram is chanted by Vedic scholars.” Devotees believe that performing Annabhishekam to the Lord on this day would rid them of all their problems.

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