The deity of Lord Balaji got a celestial bath (‘Snapana Tirumanjanam’ or more commonly known as ‘Abhishekam’) at Ram Ghat in Ayodhya on Sunday, as part of the ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela 2013.
It may be recalled that the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) management has built a replica of Tirumala temple at Sector-6 on the banks of the River Ganga in Allahabad, coinciding with the grand festival. The processional deity was taken to the Ram Ghat in Ayodhya, where the TTD priests led by Agama exponent Sri Sundara Varada Bhattacharya gave the celestial bath with aromatic substances such as turmeric, camphor, sandalwood paste and scented water.
The priests recited hymns from ‘Divya Prabhat Vachana’ and ‘Panchasukta’. Decorated with sacred garlands made of Tulasi, the deities made a dazzling presence later to which the teeming crowd offered prayers.
Deputy Executive Officer Umapathy Reddy explained that the ritual was held for seeking peace, harmony and prosperity of the mankind.
