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Home > Temples of Kerala > Abhisheka AbhishekaAbhisheka or oblation with a liquid medium is done immediately after removal of nirmaalyam. Firstly the idol is cleaned and washed well. If the idols are either made of stone or of metal (including main idol, arcchana-vigraha or Sree-bali-vigraha), fine vaaka-poti (powdered bark of Kokko or Fry-wood tree) is applied on them and cleaned with the help of nice pieces of eencha (Acacia intsia, a type of creeper) and flooded with pure water. This theerthha-jala, which passes through the pranaala, is considered as the nectar passing over the idol, ie the subtle body of the deity, who has just woken up after samaadhi. Thus taking in theerthha-jala and sprinkling it over one's own head and face is considered significant which may help the saadhaka to have divine grace and enjoyment. Then the idol is bathed with , different articles like bhasma (ashes taken from cow-dung) for Saivite idols, kalabha (sandal in thick liquid consistency), honey, milk, ghee, panchaamrtha (a mixture of five sweet ingredients of milk, curd, ghee, honey and sugar; or plantain, honey, jaggery, ghee and grapes), tender coconut and scented water for all deities. Abhisheka with each one of the above have different benefits. After the abhisheka with the above articles the idol, the peetha etc are again washed well. This is followed by abhisheka of the idol with purified water taken in a conch and by reciting the relevant manthras of purusha-suktha, sree rudram, rudra-suktham, moola-manthra, ishta-suktha etc depending on the deity. Then the idol is wiped well with a fresh cloth and is decorated with new clothes, ornaments, fresh flower-garlands etc. The subsequent rituals are offering of nivedya and prasanna-pooja.
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