Kumbabishekam performed

Devotees thronged the Jambukeswarar Akilandeswari temple at Thiruvanaikoil here on Wednesday to witness Mahakumbabhishekam.

The second phase of consecration was performed for the main shrines of Sri Jambukeswarar and Sri Akilandeswari with priests pouring holy water on towers atop the shrines and on idols inside.

The first phase of Mahakumbabhishekam of this Siva temple - one of the Panchabootha sthalams representing water - was held on December 9 for all the ‘Parivaaramurthis’ inside the temple .

The event was held in the presence of the Sankaracharya of Kanchi Mutt Sri Vijayendra Saraswathi. Governor Banwari Purohit, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Minister Sevur S. Ramachandran, Backward Classes and Minorities Welfare Minister S. Valarmathi, HR and CE Commissioner T.K. Ramachandran and Collector K. Rajamani were present.

The ‘yaagasala’ pooja and homam connected with the second phase of Mahakumbabhishekam began in the early hours with priests performing the rituals. After ‘Poornahuthi’ and deeparadhana, priests carried pots containing holy water on their head to the main shrines. At around 6.30 a.m. the holy water was poured on the shrine of Sri Jambukeswarar and deeparathana performed thereafter. Holy water was poured on the shrine of Goddess Akilandeswari.

Temple authorities said holy water was poured on nine gopurams including West Raja Gopuram, Mallappa Gopuram, Karthigai Gopuram, Arya Pataal Gopuram, Sundarapandiya Gopuram and Sangameswarar Gopuram. Thousands of devotees watched the event.

The police provided security and regulated movement of devotees and vehicles. They made arrangements for temporary parking lots in the vicinity to enable free movement of devotees.

Source