Flowers for the Gods
The last of the Mahakumbhabhishaigam photos - for the remaining days I was too intent on the ceremonies to be taking photos and carrying a camera around.
Every Hindu Temple is reconsecrated every 12 years. It is called a Maha Kumbhabhishaigam. The rituals and activities continue for days.
Leading up to the Mahakumbhabhishaigam, repairs are conducted, renovations, repainting and re-beautifying all seen to. During these activities, the deities are removed to another room temporarily and pujas continue as normal using this room until the renovations are complete and it is time to reinstall the deities and renew the spiritual energy in the temple.
At the Adelaide Ganesha Temple major renovations were carried out. Then commenced five days of intense rites and rituals, fire ceremonies and chanting. It is a loud affair, with the Nagaswaram (Temple Band) playing at full volume, and the chanting's continuous. There were 10 priests in attendance from India, Malaysia and Adelaide. It was a truly amazing event with thousands attending. The energy was palpable.
I took a few pics on the first two days then got caught up in the rituals and didn't take any more. But if you are interested, the last day, the blessing of the temple with holy water, rose petals and other substances, can be seen on YouTube. The first of four videos is here.
Comments and faves
navejo, Buffalo Fawn, Rumbo181, carliewired, and Mark Talbott added this photo to their favorites.
Pomegranate : ) (14 months ago | reply)
woooooOOOOOoooooWW......!!!!!!awesome......!! !!! beautiful capture......!!!!! great work as always......!!!!! BRAVO.....!!!!!
salsol - Sneaking back in -;) (14 months ago | reply)
Didn't know we are allowed to comment on this. Nice one, amiga. :)
sedge808 (14 months ago | reply)
From the thumbnail i thort they were sweets.
matt.harding (14 months ago | reply)
Those flowers look so good that I could eat them. ;-)
I feel a little guilty about not telling you about my India trip - after all, it was you who first put the seed in my mind. Suffice it to say, it was eye opening experience to another way of living. I hope you are doing well.
Colors True added this photo to her favorites. (13 months ago)
Colors True (13 months ago | reply)
Beautiful:)
NamWizard (12 months ago | reply)
Great series, thanks for sharing all the pictures and info! Lovely shot... OM shanti :-)
NamWizard and learning.photography (off to Calcutta for 15 days) added this photo to their favorites.
learning.photography (off to Calcutta for 15 days) (11 months ago | reply)
Lovely shot !