Kumbha Abhishekam of the Hindu Temple of Delaware
Rituals

Priest from India conducting Havan (auspicious invocation of fire) for Goddess Lakshmi A Havan is a purifying ritual that involves a fire ceremony. It is an elaborate ritual in which offerings of various items, such as, wood, incense, flowers, fruits, grains, ghee (clarified butter) honey, milk, etc. are made to the sacred fire. The ceremony is accompanied by chanting and singing.

Musicians leading the community around the temple during Kumbha Abhishekam

Community circling the temple grounds.

Priests from India and America leading the community during Kumbha Abhishekam.

Community members on the way to enter the temple.

Priests and artisans get ready to lift and install God Bala Ji (the first god in the trinity, knows as the Creator) inside the temple sanctum.

Priests and artisans are installing Bala Ji (the first god in the trinity, knows as the Creator).

Priests and artisans are installing Bala Ji (the first god in the trinity, knows as the Creator).

Priest chanting and praying during installation.

Priests from Brindhavan supervising artisans installing Radha and Krishna.

Priests from Brindhavan supervising artisans installing Radha and Krishna.

Priests leading the Kumbha Abhishekam.

Trustees and community members following priests.

Ladies are performing Lakshmi pooja (Prayer to the Godess of Wealth).

Community members performing Lakshmi pooja

Ladies are performing Lakshmi aarti (Prayer to the Godess of Wealth).

Intergenerational participation during the ceremonies.

Intergenerational participation during the ceremonies.

Ladies are tying Raksha Bandhan thread (a symbolic affirmation and establishment of family and social relationship) around their wrists.

Items used for offerings in the Lakshmi pooja include flowers, fruits, water, lamp, kum-kum (red powder) and turmeric (yellow powder).

Priests conducting Lakshmi pooja.

Curtain covering the deity before the "eye-opening" ceremony.

Priests collectively performing havan (auspicious invocation of fire) prior to Kumbha Abhishekam. A Havan is a purifying ritual that involves a fire ceremony. It is an elaborate ritual in which offerings of various items, such as, wood, incense, flowers, fruits, grains, ghee (clarified butter) honey, milk, etc. are made to the sacred fire. The ceremony is accompanied by chanting and singing.

Priests collectively performing havan (auspicious invocation of fire) prior to Kumbha Abhishekam. A Havan is a purifying ritual that involves a fire ceremony. It is an elaborate ritual in which offerings of various items, such as, wood, incense, flowers, fruits, grains, ghee (clarified butter) honey, milk, etc. are made to the sacred fire. The ceremony is accompanied by chanting and singing.

Priests collectively performing havan (auspicious invocation of fire) prior to Kumbha Abhishekam. A Havan is a purifying ritual that involves a fire ceremony. It is an elaborate ritual in which offerings of various items, such as, wood, incense, flowers, fruits, grains, ghee (clarified butter) honey, milk, etc. are made to the sacred fire. The ceremony is accompanied by chanting and singing.

Priests pouring ghee (clarified butter) in the sacred fire.

Priests offering water during Havan (auspicious invocation of fire). A Havan is a purifying ritual that involves a fire ceremony. It is an elaborate ritual in which offerings of various items, such as, wood, incense, flowers, fruits, grains, ghee (clarified butter) honey, milk, etc. are made to the sacred fire. The ceremony is accompanied by chanting and singing.

Volunteers preparing for prayers.

President showing the community the gold offering to be permanently placed between one of the moortis and the yantram.

Priest circulating giving blessings.

Installing Radha and Krishna before the eye opening ceremony.

Priest blowing on the sacred conch to mark the conclusion of the havan (auspicious invocation of fire).

"Shanti Priya" (the calf adopted by the temple).

Community members touching the feet of the priest for blessings.

Shanti-Priya participating in Gowdaan (Sponsoring a Cow). Cows are sacred in Hinduism and are revered for their contributions and gentle nature. Cows are symbolic of motherhood. Just like a mother, the cow takes so little and gives so much. Since they represent pure energy, patience, and non-violence, cows are revered by Hindus. The temple has adopted Shanti-Priya (name means: Lover of Peace) pays for its upkeep at a local farm.

Shanti-Priya participating in Gowdaan. (Sponsoring a Cow). Cows are sacred in Hinduism and are revered for their contributions and gentle nature. Cows are symbolic of motherhood. Just like a mother, the cow takes so little and gives so much. Since cows represent pure energy, patience, and non-violence, they are revered by Hindus. The temple has adopted Shanti-Priya (name means: Lover of Peace) pays for its upkeep at a local farm.

The temple calf, "Shanti-Priya" inside the temple. When the deities open their eye, the first image is the sacred cow.

Priests performing collective havan (auspicious invocation of fire).

Priests chanting and making offering to the sacred fire.

Community members carrying Kalash (container of water) on their head as they circumambulate the temple.

Priests leading the procession.

Priests lighting the sacred fire using ancient methods.

Priests preparing to light the fire.

Priests lighting the sacred fire.

Priests blowing to light the fire.

Priests proceeding with the sacred fire ceremony.

Priests chanting during the havan (auspicious invocation of fire).

Rituals performed by the priests outside the temple.

Ceremonial breaking of the coconut outside the temple.

The temple bell is hung from the temple and is sounded during rituals.

Members ringing the bell during the aarti (concluding prayer and offering for peace).

Members circulating the temple ground.

Community members awaiting ritual instructions from the priest and carrying water from the different sacred rivers in India.

Performing the Abhishekam (pouring sacred water) on top of the Gopuram (elaborate spire located above the main sanctuary).

Performing the Abhishekam (pouring sacred water) on top of the Gopuram (elaborate spire located above the main sanctuary).

Performing the Abhishekam (pouring sacred water) on top of the Gopuram (elaborate spire located above the main sanctuary).

Priests showering sacred water on the Gopuram on top of the temple.

The helicopter showering the temple ground with flower petals.

Flowers covered the temple grounds and tents.

Beautiful flower decorations in the temple tent.

Beautiful flower decorations in the temple tent.

The coconuts used during the rituals.