Annabishekam was performed to Lord Brihadeeswarar at Big Temple here on Friday.
Annabishekam is performed on Pournami day (full moon day) of Tamil month “Aipasi”. Friday being the first day of Aipasi month and being a full moon day, annabishekam was performed to the Lord.
About 800 kg of rice was used to prepare the “annam” and applied on the Lord. About 350 kg of vegetables were used.
Ariyalur: A large number of devotees offered worship to Sri Brahadeeswarar at Gangaikondacholapuram in Ariyalur district, on the occasion of Annabhishekam on Friday.
The presiding deity at this Chola temple was covered with the holy cooked rice and decorated with garlands. Maha deeparadanai was performed in the evening marking the completion of the ritual.
The Annabhishekam committee from the Sri Kanchi Mutt has been making arrangements for the ritual for the past 27 years and about 100 bags of rice was used for the occasion.
The process of cooking rice commenced at 10 a.m. and was completed at about 3 p.m.
Elaborate arrangements were made for regulating the queues.
The Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation operated special buses from Kumbakonam, Ariyalur, and other major towns.
On Thursday, mahaabhishekam was performed to the presiding deity which is about 60 feet in diameter and about 13.5 metres in height.
