| Kumbabisheka
Kumbabisheka literally means the consecration or dedication
of a new temple or that of renovated one by pouring sanctified water over
the kumbams of Garbagraha tower and over the Kumbams of the Rajagopura
tower or Gateway tower. It is done on an auspicious day and it is
a long process with preliminary functions like setting the Yoga
salas and culminating in mandala abishekam.
Hindus believe that cosmos and all living things are
composed of the five elements - earths, water, fire, air and ether.
Water symbolises the life-force. The Kumbabishekam is the ritual relating
to water symbolism. Water from the holy rivers, collected at the
source by pious men in clean containers is kept in Kumbams
or decorated pitchers adorned with flowers and is worshipped
in a specially erected canopy, which is performed in the houses
called Yagasala. Mantras are recited to add to the spiritual power
and to the sanctity of the water. This ceremony signifies
the consummation of the pious endeavour of building the abode
of the almighty.
Kumbabishekam is also an occasion for periodical
conservation of the sanctum sanctorum. To prevent oscillation and
to fix the idols security, the images and the peetas (bases on which they
are placed) are sealed together by means of Ashtabandhanam, a chemical
compound prepared by mixing eight substances viz. kombarakku or
wood loc, cukkann thol or lime stone powder, kunkilium or konakai resin,
karkaavi or red ochre, mezhugu or beeswax and yerummai
vennai or butter prepared out of buffalo's milk. The labourers employed
for mixing these components and preparing the desired compound
are expected to have purificatory baths before they take up the
work and to chant devotional hymns and utter the name of the particular
god to whose temple the Kumbabhishekam is to be performed.
A Kumbabishekam is very popular and people
from immediate neighbourhood go in groups with musical instruments,
alavattoms or multi-coloured flags representing in pictures mythological
scenes, giants-sized umbrellas and other temple paraphernalia.
People travel many miles on foot, on bullock cart or
other conveyance. Some of them carry head loads of cooked food or
cooking utensils, resting a while on river-beads or in choultries
inns for pilgrims. Attendance at Kumbabishekam is considered one
of the significant ways for invoking the blessing of god. |
