Jyeshta Abhishekam is an important ritual at the world famous Srirangam Ranganathar Temple dedicated to Bhagwan Vishnu in Srirangam, Tamil Nadu. Jyeshta Abhishekam 2024 at Srirangam is on June 20 and June 21 (before sunrise).
In some temples, it is a very rare opportunity to have darshan of the main deity without any ornaments.
The ritual is observed on the ‘kettai’ nakshatra (Triketta or Jyeshta birth star) in the Tamil month of Aani (June – July). The ritual marks the holy anointment of herbal oil to the presiding deity of Sri Ranganathar. The murti of Bhagavan will be cleared of all kinds of damages.
Water is carried in golden and silver pots from Cauvery River in procession to the temple.
There will be no public darshan of the sanctum sanctorum of Lord Ranganathar during the two days of Jyeshta Abhishekam.
Second day morning, the ‘Anna prasada uthsavam’ marking the present of holy food to Lord Ranganathar will be performed in front of the sanctum sanctorum.
Fruits, coconut, and ghee would be among the holy articles to be presented to the deity.
The ritual is performed in couple of important temples dedicated to Lord Vishnu like the Tirupati Balaji Temple.
The belief is that the anointment, abhishekams and other puja rituals on the main murti of Vishnu worshipped in these temples undergo wear and tear. During the ritual, the repairs are done on the murti and it is brought back to the original condition.
In some temples, it is a very rare opportunity to have darshan of the main deity without any ornaments.