What is Maha Kumbhabhishekam 

Temples are profoundly vital in the everyday life of Hindus and Hindu Temple of Atlanta, the beacon of divinity, is the abode of sanctity wherein we, as Devotees, derive spiritual indemnity and soulful enrichment. At the time of original consecration (Prathishta), through immaculate adherence to vedic prescription and Agama protocols, the eternal omnipotence of the supreme being is manifested into the Idols whereby the most munificent deities incarnate. To be analogous, if the presiding deity is the bountiful soul, then the structure of the temple is the pervasive body. 

Kumbhabhishekam (Samprokshanam) is a ritual reverentially performed to re-energize the spiritual powers into the consecrated vigrahas. This process also nullifies any diminishment in Saanidhyam (power) due to unintended apacharas (errors). The scriptures ordain that the renewal process should occur every 12-years from the original day of consecration. This is performed through a religious process called Maha Kumbhabhishekam. 

Large scale repair work by way of renovations and upgrades to the temple structure (Sanctums, Sanctorums, Gopurams, Vimanams, Dwaja Sthambams, Deities, Nava Grahas, etc.) and where necessary replacements must be undertaken, leading to the sacrosanct Maha Kumbhabhishekam. 

A major part of the Maha Kumbhabhishekam is replacing the Ashta Bandhana (glue), which holds the Idols to pedestals (peetams). Ashtabandhanam is the process of affixing an icon to its pedestal (peetham) with a clay-like paste made of 8 specific herbs mixed with wood lac, limestone powder, resin, red ochre, beeswax and butter. The Astha Bandhana has an average lifespan of 12-years. The combination of Astha Bandana replacement, along with holy water abhisheka of kumbhas on Temple Vimanams and Gopurams is called Ashta Bandhana Jeernodharana Maha Samprokshana - this means replacement of worn out Ashta Bandhana and Abhisheka of the Kumbhas. 

How is Maha Kumbhabhishekam performed

 As a first step of Maha Kumbhabhishekam, the Godly powers of main Deities (Moola Vigrahas) are intrinsically transferred by the priests, following stringent Agama protocols, into sanctified theertham (Mantra Jalam) gathered in Kalashas (Pots). These Kalashas serve as power centers at the makeshift temple called Balalayam. 

Up until Maha Kumbhabhishekam, the sanctified Kalashas are worshipped along with Utsava Vigrahams where applicable. Upon completion of Temple renovations and replacement of Ashta Bandhana (to secure Idols to peetams), the divine powers in the Kalashas are transferred back to the Moola Vigrahas by pouring the Mantra Jalam (holy water preserved in Kalashas) on Temple Vimanams and Gopurams, while chanting elaborate mantras. This process is called Maha Samprokshana and Ashtabandhana Jeernodharana.

What is Bala Alayam 

Balayalam is a miniature temporary structure erected during the renovation and Kumbhabhishekam ceremony in a Hindu Temple. The divine presence of the main deity in temple is transferred from the murti worshipped to a Kalasha. This Kalasha is place atop the Balalayam. ‘Baala’ means mini and ‘Aalaya’ means temple or structure in Sanskrit.

During the Jeernodharana (renovation period) of a temple, the divine presence of the Murtis is transferred to the holy waters contained in the Kalasha (pot). Pooja is done to these Kalashas and Ustava deities (the small murtis of the main murti of the temple that are used during processions).

The Kalashas remain in a miniature structure known as Balalayam. During this time the devotees will not be able to see or do poojas to the moola vigrahas or murtis worshipped in a temple. The scheduled poojas will be done only to Utsava deities.

The divine presence of the temple deity will in the Kalashas atop Balalayam until it is transferred back to the Moola vigrahas or the main murti. Scheduled Poojas to Moola vigrahas will start only on the Kumbhabhishekam day.

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