Abhideyaka Abhishekam

Abhideyaka Abhishekam is a festival conducted in the Tirumala Venkateswara Temple, Andhra Pradesh. The purpose of the festival is to conduct special "Abhishekam" to protect the Utsava deities - Lord Malayappa swami and his consorts "Sridevi" and "Bhudevi" from damage that might occur while conducting processions and "Tirumanjanam" (holy baths).

Festival details

The festival is performed in the Hindu calendar month of Jyesta. In the Gregorian Calendar, this falls in June/July. Because of the association with the "Jyesta" month, the festival is also called as "Jyestabhishekam".

The festival lasts three days [cite web|url=http://www.hindu.com/2006/06/10/stories/2006061013820400.htm|title=Temple ritual |publisher=The Hindu|date=2006-06-10|accessdate=2007-05-17] and on each of these days, after the second bell, the lord and his consorts are taken to the "Kalyanotsava mantapa" (Hall used for celestial wedding) and "Snapana Tirumanjanam" is conducted amidst vedic chants. Snapana Tirumanjanam involves performing a bath to the deities involving holy and consecrated water mixed with spices including turmeric. The lord and his consorts are attired in different "kavacham" (armours) on each of these days. [cite web|url=http://www.tirumala.org/sevas_perdes.htm#aa|title=Abhideyaka Abhishekam|publisher=TTD|accessdate=2007-05-17]
* First Day: "Vajrakavacham" (armour studded with diamonds)
* Second Day: "Muthyala kavcham" (armour studded with pearls)
* Third Day: "Svarna kavacham" (armour of gold) on the third day.

The Svarna kavacham is adorned to the Lord and his consorts throughout the year as well.

Festival history

There is no record on the history of the festival and the start dates.

Pilgrim access

The festival is considered as "Arjitha Seva" (paid service) and hence devotees can pay to view the performance of the "Abhishekam". The purchase of a ticket allows access five people to the "Kalyanotsava mantapa" and the primary ticket holder is gifted "Vastram (One Upper Cloth and a blouse), One laddu and one vada. [cite web|url=http://www.tirumala.org/sevas_per.htm|title=Periodic Sevas|publisher=TTD|accessdate=2007-05-17]

References

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