Abhideyaka Abhishekam
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/b/b9/Abhideyaka_Abhishekam_%28Diamond%29.jpg/150px-Abhideyaka_Abhishekam_%28Diamond%29.jpg)
Abhideyaka Abhishekam is a festival conducted in the Tirumala Venkateswara Temple, Andhra Pradesh in India. 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[]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/9/92/Abhideyaka_Abhishekam.jpg/150px-Abhideyaka_Abhishekam.jpg)
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[1] and on each of these days, after the , 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.[2]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/f/f8/Abhideyaka_Abhishekam_%28Gold%29.jpg/150px-Abhideyaka_Abhishekam_%28Gold%29.jpg)
- 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.[3]
References[]
- ^ "Temple ritual". The Hindu. 10 June 2006. Archived from the original on 3 April 2007. Retrieved 17 May 2007.
- ^ "Abhideyaka Abhishekam". TTD. Archived from the original on 16 May 2007. Retrieved 17 May 2007.
- ^ "Periodic Sevas". TTD. Archived from the original on 14 May 2007. Retrieved 17 May 2007.
- Tirumala Venkateswara Temple
- Tirumala festivals