Mandala Puja Preparations

The priests arrive today, nine in all, to conduct the final four days of holy homas and pujas to complete Iraivan's historic Pranapratishta consecration. Many are the items needed to conduct the elaborate rituals. These are being assembled in the yagasala today, and we give you a glimpse.We asked our Vivek Sivacharyar how many mantras he has chanted in the last 40 days and he said 120,000.

Hourse are spend decorating the pots with colored twine. Those who do this often have callouses on their hands.

Hundreds of coconuts were husked. More callouses!

The Sivacharyas sent 1008 kumbha pots, all adorned with string. Many more callouses.

Shelves and shelves of herbs andseeds and other offerings.

For the pots.

Sandalwood paste will be offered in abundance.

Wood, lots of wood, for the several homas.that burn each day and into the night.

Cloth for decorating the deity, the yagasala, etc.

Vibuthi of course, to bless.

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