kumbhabhishekam

Kumbhabhishekam means the “sprinkling” (abhishekam) of the temple with sacred waters carried in a “water-pot” (kumbha). This consecration rite is the most important ritual in the life of a newly built Hindu temple. The main rites ordinarily take place in a large tent erected adjacent to the new temple. There brick fire altars are constructed so that offerings may be made into the fire by priests as they chant mantras and sacred texts. The Divine is invoked into the fire, into the water, and then the consecrated waters are sprinkled over the temple cupolas and towers, making the entire temple a dwelling of the Divine.