Jyeshtabhishekam takes place to Lord of Tirumala every year for three days ending on Jyeshta star in Jyeshta month in the Marriage Pandal of Sampangi Circumambulation.
A Three-day annual traditional festival ‘Jyestabhisekam’ is being performed in the Tirumala Temple in the month of Jyesta (according to Telugu) month. This special Abhishekam is usually performed every year to protect the Utsava deities of Lord Malayappa swami and His Consorts Sridevi and Bhudevi from damage that might occur while conducting processions and Tirumanjanam (holy baths) all throughout the year during different festive occasions.
This festival is also called “Abhidhyeyaka Abhishekam”. “Abhidhyeyakam” means protective shield or armor (that which cannot be destroyed).
The festival aimed at preservation of the age-old and archaic utsava idols of Lord Malayappa Swamy from deficiencies.
On the first day, the golden cover of the idols is removed and abhishekam and homas are performed to the utsava murthis with panchamruta snapana thirumanjanam and taken out in procession after giving it a diamond armor.
On the second day idols are covered in cover made of pearls and on the third-day idols are once again adorned with gold cover. The gold cover is replaced again next year when the Jyestabhisekam is performed.
This year, this festival takes place from 02.06.2023 to 04.06.2023.
Jyeshtabhishekam is an annual ritual performed to Sri Malayappa Swami along with Sridevi and Bhudevi at Tirumala 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/ armors 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 the three deities are brought to the special platform.
A sacred Abhishekam with auspicious contents are offered amidst chantings of divine mantras. Then the armours are also being worshipped in a sacred manner.
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 bedecked with a charming ‘Muthangi’ (an armour of pearls) and Kavacham (shield).
On the third day, the ‘Golden armour’ is adorned to the Lord.
Thus, jyeshtabhishekam is grandly conducted for three days and it is an eye feast to the eyes. Let us participate in this ritual and seek the blessings of the Lord.
is the Abhisheka ceremony performed to the Lord of Tirumala in the month of Jyesta.
This is a three-day ceremony of holy both to Sri Venkateswara which is annually performed to be concluded by the constellation of Jyesta.
Abhidheyaka Abhisheka is another name for this ceremony.
The word ABHIDHEYA means to protect something from being broken. During this annual festival, enough care is taken to protect the three most ancient idols of Sri Malayappa Swami, Sri Devi and Bhu Devi from being broken for any reason.
Hence this is called Abhidheyaka.
Abhisheka is a ceremony of a sacred bath to the Great God with holy material like Pancha Amritas (Five Nectars). So also is Jyesta Abhisheka.
The process of the ceremony
As per the daily ritualistic procedures, Suprabhatham, Tomala Seva, Sahasra Namarchana and Naivedya offerings (of the First Bell) and immediately the second Archana and the Naivedya offerings (of the Second Bell) are all performed.
Then the idols of Sri Malayappa Swami and His Two Divine Spouses, the Mothers of the Universe – Sri Devi and Bhu Devi are brought to the Kalyana Mandapa of Sri Swami Varu.
Santi Homa (Homa for Peace), Sata Kalasa Pratista Avahana (Installation of Hundred Divine Vessels (Kalasas) inviting the Divine beings into it) and Nine Kalasa installation Avahana ceremonies are performed during which all the Gods are worshipped with great devotion having kept them on an elevated dais.
Naivedyam and Harati are also performed. Then the Kankana Pratista ceremony is performed.
The Kankanas thus made ready are bound to the idols of Sri Malayappa Swami, Sri Devi and Bhu Devi while the recitation of the mantras is in progress. The Homa Tilaka is adorned on the foreheads of the three Deities at the beginning of the Snapana Tirumanjana (Holy Sacred Bath event).
Jyestabhishekam
At the outset of the sacred bath, the priests fill the golden conches with the holy pure waters and pour from head to toe Sri Malayappa Swami while the Vedic scholars chant Purusha Sukta and then to the Two Goddesses chanting Sri Sukta, Bhusukta, Nila Sukta and Narayana Sukta.
After the Pure water abhisheka the milk is taken for abhisheka of all three.
Then the priests take the waters from some of the hundred vessels and continue the abhisheka process to them. Then the Abhisheka with Curd and again with waters from some more Kalasas are performed to all the three Deities.
After that in a sequence, the Abhisheka with Honey, Coconut water, Turmeric Water and Pure water from the remaining hundred vessels are offered to the deities. Then in a very systematic and artistic manner, the sandal paste is smeared to the Lord and His Spouses.
All three are adorned with the Garlands of Tulasi leaves after marking their foreheads with holy Tilaka.
Sahasra Dhara Abhishekam
Afterwards, the abhisheka with the waters from the Nine Kalasas is performed through the thousand holes Plate which is called ‘Sahasra Dhara Abhisheka’. The Abhisheka Waters thus poured from the head to the toes of the God and two Goddesses were collected into some vessels.
Puto Bhava
After the completion of the Abhisheka process, the priests sprinkle first the abhisheka waters on their heads and then sprinkle on the heads of all those devotees who participate in this Jyesta Abhisheka Ceremony uttering the words “Puto Bhava” (Become Sacred with these waters sprinkled on your head) in Sanskrit.
Then the three Festive Idols are well dressed and adorned with garlands and other ornaments and sacred offerings (Naivedya) is offered.
Diamond Armour
In the evening Malayappa Swami is decorated with the Diamond Armour, different kinds of other ornaments and garlands and taken around into the holy Mada Streets of the Tirumala Temple.
On the second and third days, the Abhisheka Process is the same. But in the evening Malayappa Swami is adorned with Muthangi Armour (Pearl) on the second day and the third day with Golden Armour.
This is a very grand occasion for the devotees to receive the Divine Blessings of God and the Two Goddesses for all kinds of prosperities, pleasures, happiness and good health.
Jyeshtabhishekam 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.
Jyeshtabhishekam at tirumala
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.
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.
Unjal Seva of deities with Vajra Kavacham
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.
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