Abesh Purkait at 12:10, 13 March 2026

2026-03-13T12:10:50Z

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{{short description|Hindu temple consecration ritual}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2016}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2016}}
'''Kumbhabhishekam''' or '''Samprokshanam''', is a [[Hindu]] ritual that is performed during the consecration of [[Hindu temples|temples]].<ref name="Kumba">{{cite web |url=http://pluralism.org/religions/hinduism/the-hindu-experience/consecration-kumbhabhishekam/ |title=Consecration: Kumbhabhishekam |work=The Pluralism Project |access-date=1 June 2025}}</ref>

== Etymology ==
[[File:Sri Pathirakaali Amman Lord Veerabhadra Swamy temple kumbabishekam 2014.JPG|thumb|Kumbhabhishekham being performed]]

'Kumbhabhishekam' is derived from the combination of two words–'[[kumbha]]' meaning 'pot' and '[[abhishekam]]' meaning 'pouring' or 'sprinkling', which denotes the pouring of sacred waters bought in the kumbha over the [[kalasha]] of the temple during the consecration ceremony.<ref name="Kumba"/> 'Samprokshanam' is used in synonymous with the consecration ceremony, which broadly means purification, and used in [[Vaishnavism|Vaishanva]] temples.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://temple.dinamalar.com/news_detail.php?id=83929|title=Difference between Kumbhabhishekam and Samprokshanam|work=[[Dinamalar]]|language=ta|access-date=1 June 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/samprokshanam|title=Samprokshanam|work=Wisdom library|access-date=1 June 2025}}</ref> Sometimes, the prefix 'maha' is added, which means 'great'.<ref name="Guru">{{cite book|title=Guru's Wisdom|author=Bodhinatha Veylanswami|isbn=978-1-934-14573-9|publisher=Himalayan Academy Publications|pages=76-77}}</ref>

'Astabandhana', a term usually used in association with the consecration of temples, is derived from the [[Sanskrit]] words 'asta' meaning eight and 'bandhana' meaning tying or fixing, and denotes the eight ingredients that form the paste that is used to fix an icon or idol of a Hindu god to the pedestal. These eight ingredients include [[shellac]] (jatu), [[hematite]] (gairika), [[beeswax]] (siktha), [[agarwood]] [[resin]] (guggulu), [[molasses]] (gula), [[sesame oil]] (taila), [[limestone]] powder (sarkaracurṇa), [[Vateria indica|white dammar]] resin (sarja), and [[butter]] (navanita).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/ashtabandhana|title=Ashtabandhana|work=Wisdom library|access-date=1 June 2025}}</ref>

== Rituals ==
[[File:Vishnu Yagna Kunda.jpg|thumb|[[Yagna]] being performed at the yaga sala]]

Kumbhabhishekam is an important ritual in the consecration of a [[Hindu temple]].<ref name="Nair">{{cite book|title=Who is a Hindu?|author=N. T. Nair|year=1991|isbn=978-8-185-45707-9|publisher=Panther Publishers}}</ref> It is usually part of a multi day event which culminates in the ceremony. The rituals are performed by a group of Hindu priests, who chant various [[mantra]]s and perform [[yajna]]s. The yajna, which involves lighting the sacred [[fire]], and offerings to the fire, is conducted in a temporary yaga sala, set up for the ceremony.<ref name="Kumba"/><ref name="Guru"/> The priests often tie a protective thread (raksha bandhana) around their wrists signifying their commitment to the rituals.<ref name="Kumba"/> The ceremony often begins with prayers to [[Ganesha]] to remove any obstacles to the event, and a bhumi puja, performed to invoke the blessings of [[Bhumi (goddess)|Bhuma Devi]] (mother Earth).<ref name="Kumba"/>

In the yaga sala, kumbhas (pots), filled with sacred water and decorated with [[mango]] leaves and [[coconuts]] placed on top, are arranged near the fire pits, and [[puja (Hinduism)|pujas]] are performed. Various offerings such as food grains, flowers, [[ghee]], and [[honey]] are offered to the sacred fire. The rituals at the yaga sala conclude with purnahuati, the final offering and prayer of completion.<ref name="Kumba"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wisdomlib.org/concept/purnahuti|title=Purnahuti|work=Wisdom Library|access-date=1 June 2025}}</ref> The priests then carry the sacred water pots in a procession around the temple. The water is then poured over the kalashas, mounted atop the [[shikhara]] or [[gopuram]]s (towers).<ref name="Kumba"/><ref name="Guru"/> The idols of the gods are also bathed with the water, and special abhisheka and pujas are performed.<ref name="Guru"/> The consecrated water is sprinkled over the temple premises and the gathered devotees.<ref name="Kumba"/>

As per [[Hindu literature]], the ritual is believed to invoke and attract divine energy. The ritual usually attract large crowds as the participants are said to get positive benefits from the sprinkling of the holy water.<ref>{{cite book|title=Journal of Indian History Volume 89, Issues 1-3|year=2010|url=https://books.google.co.in/books?id=zCVoWTgE_G4C|publisher=[[University of California]]|pages=52-53}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Heritage of Bharata Varsha & Sanatana Dharma|url=https://books.google.co.in/books?id=B28AAAAAMAAJ|author=[[Chandrashekharendra Saraswati VIII]]|year=1973|publisher=Oriental Cultural Education Society|pages=73-74}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Worship in Hinduism}}

[[Category:Rituals in Hindu worship]]

Kumbhabhishekham - Revision history

Abesh Purkait at 12:10, 13 March 2026