Tharabhishekham from 4th May at Arunachaleswarar Temple : Thiruvannamalai!

With the onset of the peak summer period, Agni Nakshatram, the festival of ‘Tharabhishekham’ is scheduled to be performed from 4th May to 28th May at the Lord Arunachaleswarar Temple at Thiruvannamalai.

The peak of the summer season, known locally by the terms ‘Kathiri Veyyil’ or ‘Agni Nakshatram’, is set to commence this year (2020) on 4th May and conclude on 26th May.

During this peak impact period of the summer, in order that the main deity of the temple is kept in cool conditions and thereby protecting all other living things, and praying that there should be sufficient rains during the summer, the event of ‘Tharabhishekam’ is performed daily at the Lorad Aruncahaleswarar temple.

Ingredients including cardamom, nutmeg, Javvadhu (a fragrance made by a mix of Sandalwood with picked collection of flowers, herbs and spices), and sandal are added in ‘Panneer’ (rose water) and poured on the vessel called ‘Thara’ and an arrangement will be made for this liquid mixture to fall in small drops over the main deity – the Lingam. This event is called ‘Tharabhishekham’.

During the ‘Tharabhishekham’, the main deity must not be adorned with any shield!