Not shown on our blog until now, Day Two Afternoon involved preparing for and blessing the shilpis to place ashtabandhanam around the base of Nandi, Balipeetam and Dhvajasthambha. Ashtabandhanam is a clay-like paste made of eight specific herbs mixed with wood lac, limestone powder, resin, red ochre, beeswax and butter. Normally it is used to affix a Deity to its pedestal, but in this instance it was symbolically rubbed on top of red-colored mortar mix applied earlier to protect against our extra wet environment.

A small Ganesha made of turmeric is worshipped first. In the corner of the yagasala with pots of earth, Kumar Gurukkal performed the pancha kavya puja, which honors the widely used substances produced by cows. After that, we moved to another corner for Surya kumbha puja, which is why Gurukkal offered only red flowers, symbolizing the sun's heat.

The first few photos below show some of the preparations in the days before events began.
After that, are photos of the Bhumi Puja under the bilva tree, during which Mother Earth was honored for providing abundance.
The rest of the photos show the process of transferring the shakti from the wood replica of Nandi, Bali Peedam and Dhvajasthambha back into kumbhas and bring the kumbhas to the yagasala for multiple homas to energize them.

Today's ceremony will reintroduce the energies into Kadavul Temple's Kodimaram, Bali Pitam and Nandi, which had been extracted for construction.

Chanting can be heard booming across the monastery today as three particularly powerfully voiced priests chant hundreds of sacred chants to begin the first day of the Kumbhabhishekam ceremony which will reintroduce the energies into Kadavul Temple's kodimaram, bali pitam and Nandi. Last September we performed a very similar ceremony to extract the energy from them into a miniature wood replica so the surrounding stone bases could be upgraded. The new bases look absolutely stunning it's hard to imagine they ever looked any other way! Today's photos just contain a teaser so you'll have to say tuned the next two days to see even more! All that stored energy will soon be reinfused into the three structures and everything will return to normal, but with even more refined power! Enjoy the photos! Aum Namah Sivaya!

December 25, Orange
Nurturing Harmony among All Three Worlds
The family sadhana for the final day of Pancha Ganapati is to bring forth love and harmony within all three worlds. Because of sadhanas well performed during the first four days, the family is now more open and aware of Ganesa’s grace, and their love for Him is overflowing. On this day the entire family experiences an outpouring of affection and tranquility from the great God Himself. His blessings fill the home and the hearts of everyone within it, inspiring them anew for the coming year. This exchange of affection between all members of the family and the Lord is invoked and perpetuated through the day by performing five special pujas. These five pujas to Pancha Ganapati (see sidebar below) solicit help from His devas in the home and establish the patterns for improvement in family life. The overflowing love that is felt today will inspire generosity in the year to come, bringing abundance and good fortune in return. All gifts received during the day are placed unopened before Pancha Ganapati.

Learn all about Lord Ganesha's Holiday celebration here: panchaganapati.com

Please also enjoy this explanatory video from Ganesha Bhaktars at the Shree Ghanapathy Temple in London: Day 5 - Pancha Ganapati Festival (25th Dec)

December 24, Green
Nurturing Harmony through Cultural Arts
The sadhana of day four is to draw forth the vibration of joy and harmony that comes from music, art, drama and the dance. Family, relatives and friends gather for satsanga to share and enjoy their artistic gifts. Children dance and sing. Poems are recited. Plays are presented. When the program is over, all sit together before Pancha Ganapati, Patron of the Arts and Guardian of Culture, discussing Hindu Dharma and making plans to bring more cultural refinements into each household. More gifts are placed before Lord Ganapati.

Learn all about Lord Ganesha's Holiday celebration here: panchaganapati.com

Please also enjoy this explanatory video from fellow Ganesha Bhaktars at the Shree Ghanapathy Temple in London:

Day 4 - Pancha Ganapati Festival (24th Dec)

December 23, Red Nurturing Harmony Among Associates and the Public
The family sadhana for the third day is to create a vibration of love and harmony among business associates, the casual merchant and the public at large. This is the day for presenting gifts to merchants and customers and honoring employers and employees with gifts and appreciation. An important effort on this day is the settling of all debts and disputes. Gifts received are placed unopened before the Deity.

Learn all about Lord Ganesha's Holiday celebration here: panchaganapati.com

Please also enjoy this explanatory video from fellow Ganesha Bhaktars at the Shree Ghanapathy Temple in London:

Day 3 - Pancha Ganapati Festival (23rd Dec)

December 22, Blue Nurturing Harmony Among Friends & Neighbors
The family sadhana for the second day of Pancha Ganapati is to create a vibration of love and harmony among neighbors, relatives and close friends and present them with heartfelt gifts. Members of the family offer apologies and clear up any misunderstandings that exist beyond the home, among friends and neighbors. Relatives and friends in far-off places are written to or called, forgiveness is sought, amends made and tensions released. Gifts received are placed unopened before Pancha Ganapati.

Learn all about Lord Ganesha's Holiday celebration here: panchaganapati.com

Please also enjoy this explanatory video from fellow Ganesha Bhaktars at the Shree Ghanapathy Temple in London:

Day 2 - Pancha Ganapati Festival (22nd Dec)