Annabhishekam performed

Tambaram 30 October 2012 For Down Town : Photo Caption : Annaabiseham to Lord Siva at Kandhasashramam , Selaiyur Photo : A.Muralitharan Story : Madhavan

A large number of devotees offered worship to Lord Siva at Sri Skanadashramam located in Selaiyur near Tambaram on October 29. A huge quantity of rice was cooked in a massive kitchen for the Maha Annabhishekam. Special poojas were performed in the evening to Lord Siva and other deities.

The devotees contributed materials and money towards the expenses of this grand fest.

Annabhishekam is held on full moon day in the seventh month of every year

Aippasi (Tamil calendar) Asvina (Hindu calendar) (October/ November), for Siva Lingam, the presiding deity of all Siva temples in South India. Devotees believe that performing Annabhishekam to the lord on this day would rid them of all their problems.

Annabhishekam (bathing the image of the deity with cooked raw rice), is one of the rituals devotees look forward to. There is a belief that there will be sumptuous rain in the land if annabhishekam is performed.