ISKCON Sri Radha Krishna temple performed a unique and splendid Mantra Kalasha Abhisheka to Their Lordships Sri Sri Radha Krishnachandra on 21 April 2024.
The Abhisheka was the first of its kind in ISKCON Bangalore’s history, and it marked the beginning of the Silver Jubilee celebrations on a special note.
The Utsava Deities of Sri Radha Krishnachandra were bathed with items such as milk, curds, honey, cow urine, and holy water, an essential part of elaborate worship performed in the temples on special occasions. It is said that we cannot offer anything to the Lord which is not as pure as Himself. Hence, to purify the items used in the kalashas and thus make them offerable to the Lord, all the kalashas were infused with different Vishnu mantras to invoke His presence. Hence, the name Mantra Kalasha Abhisheka.
The Lord was invoked in the kalashas with a Havan just prior to the Abhisheka ceremony, held at the newly built open-air theatre. There were multiple sets of kalashas, each containing some specific items, and a specific form of Lord Vishnu such as Madhusudana, Trivikrama, Vamana, Sridhara, Damodara and so on was invoked in each set of kalashas.
The ceremony started with Maha Sankalpa and a special bath to Sri Sri Radha Krishnachandra with til (sesame seed) oil.
After bathing Their Lordships with items in each set of kalashas, a small puja was performed for Them, which consisted of turmeric, chandan, dhupa, deepa, and food offerings.
Some of the unique items used for the abhisheka included:
Panchamrita rasayana (mixed cut fruits), banana rasayana, mango rasayana, Kanaka pushpa (gold-plated flowers), Mauktika (pearls), Lohodaka (water containing gold and coins made of silver, copper, iron, zinc and brass) and aromatic items like chandan, rakta chandan and ashwagandha.
During the final stage of the ceremony, the kalashas, sponsored by seva kartas, were offered to Theri Lordships. The entire ceremony was performed amidst grand Harinama Sankirtan, and various Veda mantras were recited. The event concluded with a floral shower and a grand arati.
On this occasion, temple honours were presented to Sri Prasannachar Venkatesha Dikshithar, the chief priest of Mannargudi Rajagopala temple, under whose supervision this unique abhisheka ceremony was conducted, and to Sri Vasudev Bhattacharya, who assisted the chief priest.
The event was a grand success and was an unforgettable and enthralling experience for those fortunate to partake in its splendour.
To relive the complete celebrations, visit: