Jyeṣṭhābhiṣekam at Nāthdvārā (Śrīnāthjī) 1935

The date on this page is computed for Nāthdvārā.

Jyeṣṭhābhiṣeka is observed as Snāna-yātrā, traditionally on the appropriate Jyeṣṭhā Nakṣatra in Jyeṣṭha Śukla Pūrṇimā season. On the previous night, after Śayana-bhoga, sacred water is brought from the place from which water is ordinarily obtained for Śrī Thākurjī and is ceremonially prepared for the abhiṣeka.

Before sunrise, Śrī Thākurjī is seated for the ceremonial bath wearing a white dhotī and uparanā, with light pearl ornaments and without elaborate head adornment. The abhiṣeka is performed with the prepared sacred water while Vedic mantras, especially the Puruṣa-sūkta, are recited; śaṅkha, ghaṇṭā, mṛdaṅga and kīrtana accompany the celebration.

After the snāna, Śrī Thākurjī is dressed in white summer attire, traditionally with kesar or candana decoration, and adorned principally with pearl and other light ornaments. Special cooling foods and summer offerings are made during the day, including preparations associated with sāthvā, rice, curd, buttermilk, fruits and mangoes.

The utsava is understood in Puṣṭimārga as a rājyābhiṣeka-bhāva: Nanda Bābā arranges for Śrī Kṛṣṇa's ceremonial royal consecration, with Gargācārya performing the abhiṣeka with sacred waters. From this festival onward, Śrī Yamunājī kīrtanas and various jala-manorathas become prominent in the seasonal sevā.