Jyeshthabhishekam 2027: Nathdwara, Rajasthan

Jyeshthabhishekam (ज्येष्ठाभिषेक), also called Snana-yatra, is the ceremonial bath (abhisheka) of the deity, observed in the month of Jyeshtha, on Jyeshtha Purnima or on the day of Jyeshtha Nakshatra.

In most temples of North and South India the abhisheka is performed early in the morning, around sunrise. In Tamil Nadu it is observed in the Tamil month of Aani.

Rituals

Tirumala (TTD)

At Tirumala, Jyeshthabhishekam is a three-day annual festival for Sri Malayappa Swami with Sridevi and Bhudevi, observed in Jyeshtha masa and concluding on the day of Jyeshtha Nakshatra. The utsava-murtis are taken to the Kalyana Mandapa in the Sampangi Prakara, where homa and Snapana Tirumanjanam are performed with Vedic chanting.

On the first day the annual golden armour is removed, the ceremonial bath is performed, and Malayappa Swami is adorned with the Vajra Kavacha (diamond armour). On the second day the deities are adorned with the Muthyala (Muttangi) Kavacha (pearl armour). On the third and concluding day they are again adorned with the Swarna Kavacha (golden armour), which remains on the utsava deities until the following year's Jyeshthabhishekam. A Shata-kalasha Tirumanjanam, the sacred bath with water from 100 kalashas following the Mahashanti Homa, is also recorded as part of the observance.

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Pushtimarga (Shrinathji and Pushtimargiya temples)

Jyeshthabhisheka is observed as Snana-yatra, traditionally on the appropriate Jyeshtha Nakshatra in the Jyeshtha Shukla Purnima season. On the previous night, after Shayana-bhoga, sacred water is brought from the place from which water is ordinarily obtained for Shri Thakurji and is ceremonially prepared for the abhisheka.

Before sunrise, Shri Thakurji is seated for the ceremonial bath wearing a white dhoti and uparana, with light pearl ornaments and without elaborate head adornment. The abhisheka is performed with the prepared sacred water while Vedic mantras, especially the Purusha-sukta, are recited; shankha, ghanta, mridanga and kirtana accompany the celebration.

After the snana, Shri Thakurji is dressed in white summer attire, traditionally with kesar or chandana 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 sathva, rice, curd, buttermilk, fruits and mangoes.

The utsava is understood in Pushtimarga as a rajyabhisheka-bhava: Nanda Baba arranges Shri Krishna's ceremonial royal consecration, with Gargacharya performing the abhisheka with sacred waters. From this festival onward, Shri Yamunaji kirtanas and various jala-manorathas become prominent in the seasonal seva.

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Srirangam

Namperumal (Aani Jyeshthabhishekam). Kaveri water is brought to the temple in gold and silver pots, traditionally including a principal golden pot. Namperumal's golden kavacham (angi) is removed and cleaned, and the special tirumanjanam is performed with Kaveri water. This observance follows the Aani and Kettai (Jyeshtha Nakshatra) tradition, the Tamil Nadu date shown above.

Sri Ranganachiyar (Thayar). Thayar has a separate Jyeshthabhishekam on a different day, by her own temple tradition, with her own golden-pot procession bringing Kaveri water for her tirumanjanam.

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