Significance of Jyeshtabhishekam
Jyeshtabhishekam ( or Abhideyaka abhishekam) is an annual ritual performed to Sri Malayappa Swami along with Sridevi and Bhudevi at Tirumala (Google Maps location) in the Jyeshta masam (May / June). The main purpose of this ritual is, to protect the icons/idols with utmost care. Hence, this ritual is conducted.
In this ritual, Sri Malayappa Swami along with His Consorts can be seen in the truest form, without any ornaments. First, all the ornaments/armours are removed from the deities. Then the deities are carefully anointed with specially made herbal preparations called ‘Visesha Sugandha Tailam’.
An important Vaikhanasa text, ‘Prakeernadhikara’ prescribes a sacred ritual, Abhideyaka abhisheka for preserving the deities is done. During the ritual, all three deities are brought to the special platform. A sacred Abhishekam with auspicious contents is offered amidst chantings of divine mantras. Then the armours are also being worshipped in a sacred manner.
Three-day Event
In all three days, the ritual starts with a sacred bath (Abhishekam).
- On the first day, the deities are adorned with a most exquisite and dazzling armour called ‘Vajra Kavacha’ (cover) entirely in diamonds. Then the deities are taken out in a procession along the four mada streets around the temple.
- On the second day, the deities were adorned with a charming ‘Muthangi’ (an armour of pearls) and Kavacham (shield).
- On the third day, the ‘Golden armour’ is adorned to the Lord.
Significance
Jyeshtabhishekam is essentially an annual ritual performed on the holy processional deities at Tirumala. It is held on the full moon day of the month of “Jyeshta”, in the GreeshmaRitu, the hottest period of the year.
It is at the time when the moon is nearest to the constellation of the Jyeshta star and it is when Sri Maha Vishnu is worshipped in the form of Trivikrama, the conqueror of all the worlds.
Jyeshtabhisheka is also called Abhideyaka abhisheka since Abhideyaka (Sanskrit) means “protective shield” for Malayappa.
The holy deity of Malayappa and His Consorts were found, about 800 years ago in a deep valley called Malayappa Kona, a valley in the dense forests of Seshachala Hills, also part of the seven hills of Tirumala.
Since the icons are so ancient, they need to be preserved with utmost care. Hence, for this reason, every year “Jyeshtabhishekam” is conducted.
Tirumanjanam / Thirumanjanam – Ashtottara Sata Kalasha Snapana Tirumanjanam
The protective golden armour that always adorns Malayappa, Sridevi and Bhudevi deities are ceremoniously extracted a fortnight before the actual ritual. During the ceremony, all three deities are brought onto the special dais called the ‘Kalyana Mandapam’, which lies within the Sampangi prakaram (the second circumambulatory path) of the ancient temple.
A holy bath, comprising 108 silver pots filled with holy contents (Kushodakam, Ratnodakam, Haridrodakam, Ksheerodakam, etc, 9 sets of 12 different dravyams) are offered amidst divine chantings of the Panchasuktas.
The divine event is rightly termed as ‘Ashtottara Sata Kalasha Snapana Tirumanjanam’. In the evening, the deities are adorned with a most exquisite and dazzling armour called ‘Vajra Kavacha’ covered entirely in priceless diamonds.
Thus bedecked in one of His most precious and beautiful jewels, Malayappa, along with His divine Consorts are taken out in a procession along the four streets around the temple. Thousands of devotees throng the streets to witness the Lord in His most dazzling attire.
Similarly, on the evening of the second day, devotees can feast their eyes on the Lord bedecked with a charming “Muthangi” or an armour of pearls. The third day begins with a special ritual for sanctifying the redone golden armour. It is then adorned to the Lord in an elaborate ceremony.
Once the armour is fixated, all holy ablutions are offered only to the feet of the deity. This practice ensures minimal wearing of the divine icons. Thus the ancient practices not only protect the sanctity of the temple and the deities but also play a significant role in preserving the 5000-year-old shrine.
Procession
In the evening, the deities are adorned with a most exquisite and dazzling armour called ‘Vajra Kavacha’ covered entirely in priceless diamonds. Thus bedecked in one of His most precious and beautiful jewels, Malayappa, along with His divine Consorts are taken out in a procession along the four streets around the temple.
Thousands of devotees throng the streets to witness the Lord in His most dazzling attire.
- Similarly, on the evening of the second day, devotees can feast their eyes on the Lord bedecked with a charming “Muthangi” or an armour of pearls.
- The third day begins with a special ritual for sanctifying the redone golden armour. It is then adorned to the Lord in an elaborate ceremony.
Once the armour is fixated, all holy ablutions are offered only to the feet of the deity. This practice ensures minimal wearing of the divine icons. Thus the ancient practices not only protect the sanctity of the temple and the deities but also play a significant role in preserving the 5000-year-old shrine.
It usually begins on the 13th day of the month of Jyeshta and concludes on the Purnima, the full moon day.
Even to this day!
It is of some significance that a mention can be made of a statement that can be found in, AhanAnUru, a Tamil literary work of the latter half of 1st century A.D. It speaks of the glorious festivals and celebrations that were held at the Hillshrine then known as Thiruvengadam, the name that lives on even to this day.
Thus it can be easily concluded that though the management of the temple changed several times in history, each of the administrators contributed significantly to the ever-increasing glory of Sri Venkateswara Swamy temple at Tirumala.
Also, the Vaikhanasa Archakas (priests), along with the Ekangis under the aegis of Jeeyangar of Tirumala, the acharyapurushas have carefully protected the sanctum and the decorum of the temple through centuries of dedicated service, practised to the last word, as dictated by ancient texts even to this day!
