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Ashtabandham in Hinduism – Astabandam during Idol installation Ceremony in Hindu Religion

Ashtabandham is the mixture of eight materials that are used to fix the Murti (image or idol) of a Hindu deity in the sanctum sanctorum of a temple or at sacred place. Astabandam is performed to the main murti in a temple or to those idols of Hindu deities that are fixed permanently. Eight different items form part of the mortar that is used in Ashtabhandam.

Astabandam during Idol installation Ceremony in Hindu Religion

The eight items that are part of Ashtabandham are:
  1. Powdered conch
  2. Powdered Terminalia Anjana (Kadukka)
  3. Powdered Chenchalyam or gum secreted from country pine
  4. Powdered gravel rock
  5. Powdered river sand
  6. Powdered dry phyllanthus Emblica – Amla or gooseberry tree
  7. Powdered kolarakku or country lac
  8. Cotton used for making sacred thread
These eight items are mixed to make a thick solution that is used to fix the murti.

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