Durmukhi Aani Sravanam corresponding with 24th June 2016 was the day of ‘Jyestabhishekam’ at Kanchi Sri Devarajaperumal koil. What is ‘Jyestabhishekam’? In the month of Aani when the nakshatram Jyesta(Kettai) is in ascendance, Tirumanjanam(ceremonial bath) is done for the divyamangalamurthis in temples. It is otherwise known as Aani Tirumanjanam or Abhideyayaka abhishekam. The kavachas adorning the divyamangala vigrahams are removed and the deities are bathed in milk, curds, honey, raw coconut water, turmeric, sandal-paste etc. Jyesta may refer to the month also as jyestabhishekam is not always performed on Kettai in all temples.
At Varadarjaperumal koil temple Kanchi, ‘Jyestabhishekam’ is performed on Aani Sravanam day. Early in the morning water was bought for the Tirumanjanam to the accompaniment of drum beats along with ‘chhatra-chamaras’ that is accompanied by two white umbrellas and the waving of chamarams. The kudams were taken uphill to Perumal Sannidhi and placed on a wooden stool in the mandapam facing the sanctum. Devotees came with offerings of cow’s milk and other dravyams like honey etc and added them to the dravyams provided by the temple authorities. Only once a year the utsavar deity and His Ubhayanachimars have their kavachams(protective shield) removed and Tirumanjanam is done to Them with different dravyams. This is not for public viewing and is known as ‘Ekantha Tirumanjanam’. Access to Perumal sannidhi was not available between 10.00 am and 3.30 p.m. After this devotees had darsan of Varadan and His Consorts covered in shawls and Moolavar decked in flowers. Thayar’s ‘Jyestabhishekam ‘ is scheduled for Friday the first of July.
More photos will be updated shortly…
Write up: Smt Vyjayanthi Rajan
