His Holiness Jagadguru Sankaracharya Sri Jayendra Saraswathi Swamigal of Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham

Members of the Celebrations Committee visited Kanchipuram and invited His Holiness Jagadguru Sankaracharya Sri Jayendra Saraswathi Swamigal and His Holiness Jagadguru Sankaracharya Sri Sankara Vijayendra Saraswathi Swamigal of Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham and sought their divine blessings for the successful conduct of the Maha Kumbhabhishekam. Both the Acharyas blessed the proposal and consented to participate in the Maha Kumbhabhishekam. However, H.H. Sankara Vijayendra Saraswathi Swamigal could not participate in view of His other preoccupations at the last minute.

His Holiness visited the Temple on Thaipoosam day – 20th January 2011, witnessed the Abhishekam and had Darshan of Lord Muruga.

The Maha Kumbhabhishekam has yet another unique milestone. Apart from the three consecutive Maha Kumbhabhishekams at Sri Kamakshi Amman Temple, Kanchipuram, performed in the benign presence of His Holiness, only our temple has the unique distinction of H.H. participating in all the four Kumbhabhishekams of our temple. 

The Projects:

As part of the Maha Kumbhabhishekam celebrations, the Samaj undertook the following projects-:

• Repair, Renovation and restoration of Raja Gopuram, Navagraha and Utsava Mandapams
• Remaking the Swarnabandhanam for Lord Muruga, Valli & Devasena
• Remaking the Silver Kavachams for all deities except those for Anjaneyar, Dakshinamurthy and Navagrahas
• Installation of a Mural of Saint Arunagirinathar
• Replacing the roofing including the structure at Dwara Vinayakar and Anjaneyar temples
• Painting the entire Temple Complex
• Removing before the Kumbhabhishekam and replacing them with new roofing sheets in the temple portion at the terrace to provide cover from sunlight

In response to the appeal from the celebrations committee soliciting support, several corporate leaders, professionals and industrialists responded favourably and agreed to be Patrons in the celebrations committee. 

Yagashala Rituals

Around 15,000 sq-ft Shamiana for the Utthama Paksha Yagahsala and the cultural programmes was erected in the ground adjoining to the temple complex. As in the past, 33 Homa Gundams for Lord Muruga, and one each for other deities were made. However, this time, 9 Homa Gundams for Goddess Durga Devi was set up. Seperate enclosure was arranged for the Nambudris to perform the rituals for Guruvayurappan and Dharmasastha.

Shri Kalyanasundara Sivacharyar, the Chief Acharya guiding and advising the Samaj in all matters relating to temple rituals, had the onerous task of organizing around 100 Sivacharyas from various parts of Tamil Nadu, assembled them together and travelled to Mumbai to perform the rituals. The rituals as per agama sastras commenced on 23rd January 2011. Similarly Shri Narayanan Nambudri had organised a team of 25 Nambudris from Kerala and as per tantric sastras, the rituals commenced on 24th January 2011.

At this hour, the Samaj fondly recalls the commendable role played by the late Allur Dr. Viswanatha Sivacharyar who had guided the Samaj from the consecration of the temples in January 1980 to the subsequent 3 Maha Kumbhabhishekams. The Samaj and in fact all the devotees missed him very much on this eventful occasion.

Maha Kumbhabhishekam

On 26th January 2011, at 10.25 a.m. the Maha Kumbhabhishekam of Thiruchembur Murugan and other deities was performed, in the divine presence of H.H. Jagadguru Sankaracharya Sri Jayendra Saraswathi Swamigal.

Over 15,000 devotees assembled at the temple complex and also in the terraces of adjoining buildings to witness the 4th Maha Kumbhabhishekam and over 10,000 devotees were given annadhana prasadam in the adjoining CRWA grounds.

Publicity
It is most gratifying that Shri Ravi of Pisces and Shri Raju Pillai of Vijay Process took upon themselves in designing, printing the entire publicity materials from appeal, to brochures, patrikas, receipt books, coupons, etc. and dedicated their services to the Lord. Shri Venugopal of Mission Ads arranged for mega hoardings in strategic locations and display banners covering the events of the Maha Kumbhabhishekam celebrations. The Samaj is deeply indebted to them for their honorary services.

Sub Committees:

In order to carry out several tasks related to Maha Kumbhabhishekam, 9 (nine) sub committees were formed with more than 180 volunteers, both men and women, young and old, from college students, to office-goers and retired persons coming forward to offer their services. But for their devotion and dedication, it would not have been possible for the Samaj to have conducted the celebrations as a memorable one.