Significance of Kumbabishekam
Sri Sita, Sri. Rama, Sri Lakshamana and Six Feet Sri Bhaktha Hanuman Shrine
Consecrated for the first time in Arizona.

Sarvaroga Nivrityartham, Sarva Yaga Phalapradham  Sarva Sampathkaramnreenam putrapoutrabhi vardhanam

The ceremonies surrounding the Kumbahbhiskekam of a temple are steeped in tradition going back to the Agama Shastras. These centuries’ old scriptures describe the detailed process of constructing and upkeep of a temple along with the religious rites associated with it. Kumbhabhishekam (Kumbha-Shikhara or crown of the temple, Abhishekam-sanctification with spiritually charged water) is performed to consecrate new shrines, re-consecrate existing shrines after a renovation or every twelve years. Priests trained in the shastras perform various ceremonies over three days culminating in the Kumbhabhishekam. 

We invite you to partake in this spiritual event and receive divine energy that will permeate the temple. There are many opportunities where the devotee can touch the vigrahas and perform some of the pujas throughout the three day event. Through the participation of the community, the powers of the chanted mantras are multiplied thereby benefitting the devotee and their community.

 Prathama (First) Sri Sita Rama Kalyana Utsav 
Performed by One Thousand Devotees on Sunday May 10th, 2015.

Lord Rama is considered the embodiment and personification of all the great sixteen virtues and a role model as a son, brother, husband, ruler etc. The companionship of Rama and Sita depicts how to lead an ideal wedded life. They stayed together in the adversity and happiness alike and lived inseparable like the word from its meaning and the water from wave. The style of their marriage (or "kalyanam") as described in ancient Hindu writings is used as the baseline for Hindu marriages today.
Sita Rama Kalyanam is performed to sustain the life on the earth with the belief that Lord Rama brings spring rains and the mother Sita who is born to mother earth gives us the fertile land to cultivate for the best crops to feed the world. It is widely believed that the offering of clothes to the divine couple during the wedding ceremony represents surrendering our mortal bodies (the clothes) to the lord seeking the Moksha or the release from the cycle of life and death. Lord’s Kalyanam is performed to bring the happiness and peace around the world.

Sri Maha Ganapati Puja & Sri Viswakshena Puja and Swasti Punyaha Vachanam

Lord Ganesha as Maha Ganapati and Viswakshena are propitiated to remove any and all obstacles for the ceremonies following which Punyaha Vachanam is performed to purify the temple and the Yaga Shala.

Homam/Havan/Yajna

Homams are performed by offering ghee, grains and spices to the fire accompanied by the chanting of mantras. Ganapati Homam (to remove all obstacles), Sudarsana Homam (for peace and victory over negative energies), Navagraha Homam (to alleviate malefic effect of Navagrahas and to appease the Navagrahas), Vaastu Shanti Homam (for the worship of the elements of nature and balance the forces that control the flow of energies), Moola Mantra Homam (oblations to the deities residing in the temple by chanting the Moola Mantra of each deity). 

On Friday May 8th Special Sri Shuktam Samputikarana Homam is performed this homam ushers prosperity and wealth for the entire community. In addition, Pranapratishtanga and  Jeevadi Thatvanyasa Homams are performed for Sri Sita, Sri Rama and Sri Lakshamana shrine and Bhaktha Hanuman shrine.

Adhivasam

The immersion ceremony performed to cleanse the vigrahas. It is believed that when the shilpis sculpt the vigrahas, a great deal of pain is inflicted on the granite and sparks emanate when the chisel meets the stone. By immersing the vigraha in water and paddy, the vigraha is cleansed and cooled.  Sri Sita, Sri Rama and Sri Lakshamana and Bhaktha Hanuman are currently in Dhanyaadhivasam (immersion of deities in paddy). Jalaadhivasam (immersion in water) will be performed on Friday May 8th. 

Netronmeelanam

The ceremony where the Shilpi (sculptor of the Vigraha) opens the eye of the vigraha using gold and silver needles.

Go (cow) Puja

According to the scriptures, all the 330 million devas reside in a cow. Cows are also considered an embodiment of Maha Lakshmi. The cow, after the puja will be led into the temple in a ceremonial procession.
Yantra and Navaratna Sthapana: Yantras are geometric representations of the power of the deity etched on gold, silver or copper plates. These along with the navaratnas (9 gems) are offered where the deities will be placed. These elements are said to glow in the inner worlds and are prominently visible to the Gods and Devas.

Ashtabandhana

A special mixture containing eight special ingredients are prepared to adhere the vigraha to the peetam (pedestal). This paste is made by the shilpis in a special ceremony. This paste ensures a watertight seal between the vigraha and the peetam.

Samphada Aadhya Lepanam

This involves the transfer of energy into the vigraha. Through the chanting of spiritually charged mantras, the vigraha is imbued with all attributes associated with the deity.