Sri Lakshmi Temple in Ashland invites you to participate in their Maha Kumbhabhishekam celebrations which will be held Aug 29 - Sep 5. Kumbhabhishekam (reconsecration) is the process of infusing divinity and spiritual power into the vigrahas (images of the deities) of a temple. This is a special event that is done once every 12 years.

The Kumbhabhishekam will be performed for all the deities and religious structures of the Sri Lakshmi Temple during this one-week period. The priests will transfer the divine power from the deities into the kalasas (or Kumbhams - metal pots holding water). The priests will perform havans/homams in the Yagasala outside the Temple over the whole week to reinfuse the spiritual power into the vigrahas with Vedic chanting and religious rites, while Shilpis (traditional Indian artisans) renovate the inner sanctums with repairs and strengthening of structures supporting the vigrahas

Prof Arvind Sharma, Professor of religious studies at Mcgill university will give a talk on Hindusim on Sept 3 at 2:00 pm. Smt Bhanumati Narasimhan, sister of His Holiness Sri Sri Ravishankar  will be holding bhajans on the evening of Sept 3rd. There will be cultural programs featuring local dance and music artists. Community groups are coming together to provide free food for everyone during the labor day weekend.

As a grand finale to this 5-day event, during the muhurtham (auspicious time) on Sep. 5th morning at 9:00 am the priests will transfer the divine power back to the deities by performing an abhishekam (salutary bathing) to the vigrahas and vimanas (pinnacles) on the roof (hence the term Kumbha  + Abhishekam ).  For many , it is an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to participate in an event of great spiritual and religious significance. For every practicing Hindu, and minds inquisitive about Hinduism, this is an opportunity to witness and experience first-hand the faith, practice, and process of prayer, worship and celebration during a pinnacle event in the temple's 27 year history.

For more information please check the Sri Lakshmi Temple website at
http://www.srilakshmi.org

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