The ‘maha kumbhabhishekam’ of Sri Iyappan Temple at Cantonment here will be performed on December 15 and all arrangements are being made for the renovation of various shrines – Sri Ayyappa, Sri Kannimoolai Ganapathy, Sri Nagaraja, Sri Bhagavathy Amman and Navagraham.
A scaffolding has been erected renovating the ‘dwajasthambam’ and acid wash is being given to it. Authorities said that 1008 ‘valampuri sankabhishekam’ will be performed on December 13 followed by special ‘annadhanam’ on December 14. On December 19, a special ‘kalababhishekam’ (sandhanabhishekam) will be performed. Devotees are preparing the sandal paste to be used for the ritual.
New facilitiesThe temple is noted for various periodical ‘puja’ for various shrines. The ‘Ayiliam’ puja for Sri Nagaraja is one among them. Falling in the ‘Ayiliyam’ star in the Tamil almanac every month, women devotees bring turmeric to Lord Nagaraja. The Tiruchi Iyyappa Sangam has set up a couple of stone grinders for facilitating the devotees to grind the turmeric. “They can grind the turmeric on the spot and offer it to the Lord,” said sources.
The temple offers various services to the weaker section. It organises ‘yoga’ classes and blood donation camps. A weekly blood donation camp will be organised for six weeks on Sundays.
Three thantris – Kantaru Maheshwara Thantri, his son Kantaru Mohanru Thantri and his grandson Kantaru Magesh Mohan Thantri will perform the ‘maha kumbabhishekam’. Holy waters from the Ganges, Manasarovar, the Cauvery and other important rivers across the country will be used for the mahakumbabhishekam. This is the fourth ‘maha kumbabhishekam’ at the temple. Earlier, it was consecrated in 1985, 1995 and December 2004.
