 Shiva Vishnu Temple, Livermore California celebrated Maha Kumbhabhishekam (MKA) from June 16 to June 20 on a grand scale with utmost devotion. Maha Kumbhabhishekam is a very auspicious event performed every twelve years during which divine power from the deities is transferred into the kalashas while inner sanctums are repaired. After performing homa’s in the Yaagashala outside the Temple, spiritual power is reinfused into the idols with Vedic chanting and religious rites.
 After construction this temple, first Kumbhabhishekam (consecration ceremony) was performed on July 13th 1986. Once the temple is inaugurated Maha Kumbhabhishekam is performed every twelve years by the devotees, to renew their dedication to the temple and revitalize their connection to the divine power and to complete the necessary repairs/renovation. New Vighrahas and additions to the temple are also consecrated at this auspicious time. Shiva Vishnu Temple is following the Agama Shashtra and performing Maha Kumbhabhishekam once every 12 years . The first Maha Kumbhabhishekam was celebrated on July 5th 1998 after the completion of the Rajagopuram. The second Maha Kumbhabhishekam was celebrated last month with great dedication from devotee community.
About 24 priests (10 local and 14 non-local priests from US and India) performed the religious rites all through this event following the shastra’s. Yaagashaala and homakunda’s were built per scriptures and decorated in most authentic way. Several large tents were erected for devotee participation and comfort. All through the event renowned Nadhaswaram artists Kalaimamani S. Kasim, Kalaimamani S.Babu (Grand sons of Dr. Sheik Chinna Moulana) (Asthana Vidwans of Tirumala Tirupathi Devasthanams & Srirangam Temple) performed Nadhaswaram giving devotees a divine experience. This mega event was attended by several thousand devotees during the 5 day period who witnessed and experienced the divine feeling and received blessings from the presiding deities of Livermore Shiva Vishnu Temple. On June 07th, Balalayam (Temporary Abode) was created and after obtaining permission from the divine Lord, Utsavamurthys and Kalasha’s are brought in to Balalayam before closing the temple for renovations as part of Maha Kumbhabhishekam. All nitya poojas and abhishekas were performed in Balalayam from June 07th through June 16th.
Sudharshana Homam was performed on June 08 to receive the blessings for a successful MKA event.
The grand event was started on June 16th amidst Vedic chanting and huge devotee congregation. The day started with Punyaha Vaachanam followed by Maha Ganapathi puja and Vishwaksena Puja. Under the guidance of Yaga Brahma Pdt. Srinivasacharyulu Maha Ganapathi Homam and Akalmasha Homam were performed by temple priests and visiting priests. Nearly 24 priests participated in puja’s. Devotees were sanctified witnessing various puja’s like panchagavya praashana and actively participated in Bhoomi Puja. Several hundred devotees took five day deeksha for this event. Akanda Stapana and Ankurarpana were also performed.
On June 17th Yaagashaala pravesham was followed with several Ukta homas in the Yaagashaala. Agni Mathana was performed in most authentic way by churning of Fire from Sacred wood; it was a rare event to watch and devotees felt sanctified witnessing the event. Resident devotee population actively participated in this blissful opportunity of great spiritual and religious significance.
On Friday June 18th, Mahalakshmi Beeja Homam and Durga Sukta Homam were performed in Yaagashaala. Devotees participated and witnessed these rare homas and Poornahuti. Ksheeradhivaasa for Sri Krishna, Sri Rama, Sita Devi, Lakshmana Swami, Anjaneeya Swami and Vikhanasacharya Utsava murthies was performed. Mainly in the evening, Ashtabandana (ghee with eight special ingredients to be used as cement in the inner shrines near moola murthies) was prepared and a grand procession was carried out to all shrines. Sumangalis/Women from Bay area and visiting devotees performed Laksharchana for Maha Lakshmi and Sri Lalita Devi with utmost devotion. Saturday, June 19 saw huge devotee crowds as it was weekend and important events were planned for the day. In the Yaagashaala, Ukta Homam and jalaadhivaasa & Adivasa homam for Sri Krishna, Sri Rama, Sita Devi, Lakshmana Swami, Anjaneeya Swami and Vikhanasacharya Utsava murthies were perfomed. Maha Shanti Homam was performed at noon for world peace and prosperity. Maha Shanti Abhisheka followed Shanti Homam with devotees carrying sahasra silver Kalasha and priests performing Shanti abhishekam to all moola murthies in the shrines simultaneously. This was once a life time opportunity to witness such magnificent event and devotees savored the devotional experience. Devotees performed Gayathri Homam with individual homa kunda’s in the evening. Sayanaadhivaasa for Sri Krishna, Sri Rama, Sita Devi, Lakshmana Swami, Anjaneeya Swami and Vikhanasacharya Utsava murthies was performed at the end of the day.
On final day of the 5 day event, devotees started arriving as early as 6 AM to the temple with a divine feeling and to witness rare opportunity of Maha Samprokshanam. After Maha Poornahuti, Kumbha procession started with all temple honors. Huge crowds of devotees were standing in front of Temple to witness the event. Everyone was feeling the great vibrations from the activity. On One side the Kumbhas with holy, sanctified water were taken around the temple in a procession while chanting special mantras and Maha Samprokshana on Vishnu, Shiva and all other Vimana Gopurams was carried out, on the other side Utsava murthies were arrived at the Raj Gopuramam in a procession and devotes were just mesmerized and felt sanctified and witnessing the activity with revered feeling. Maha Samprokshana on Raja Gopuram was witnessed thousands of devotees chanting of Govinda and Hara Hara Maha Deva namas. Holy water after performing samprokshana on all gopurams was sprinkled on devotees. Temple opened after Kalaanyasam (re-energizing and transfer of energy) of all temple deities with Mandala puja beginning with Sahasra silver Kalasha Abhishekam to Balaji Utsava Murthy and Lord Shiva. The evening concluded with Samoohika Sri Satyanarayana Swami Vratam participated by devotees with great devotion. This completed the 5 day event.
Mandala puja concluded on July 31 with Sri Rudra & Pancha Suktha Homam and Lord Shiva Goddess Parvathi Kalyanotsavam and Lord Balaji, Goddess Mahalakshmi, Goddess Bhoodevi Kalyanostavam.
During the five day celebrations a many religious heads and dignitaries visited the temple and took part in the event activities. The religious leaders include Acharya Br. Prabhod Chaitanya from Chinmaya Mission, Swami Omkarananda from Badrikashram, Swami Prabhudananda from Ramakrishna Mission Vedanta society graced and participated in the religious functions. The temple also had public figures Indian Consulate General San Francisco, Mrs. Susmita Thomas, Congressman John Garamendi, Senator Tom Torlakson and Councilman of Livermore John Marchand visiting the temple during the event. Indian Consulate General San Francisco, Mrs. Susmita Thomas visited the temple during the opening ceremonies and released 2010 Maha Kumbhabhishekam 2010 Souvenir and Hindu Heritage book part.Congressman John Garamendi and Senator Tom Torlakson offered their support to devotee community and Councilman John Marchand read a proclamation from City of Livermore. Three publications were released on the occasion of this Maha Kumbhabhishekam, a Maha Kumbhabhishekam 2010 Souvenir, a Slokam & Bhajan book and a Hindu Heritage book written by young children. Temple also received blessings (Srimukams) from many Matadhipathi (heads of religious institutions) from India (printed in MKA Souvenir). Many Cultural programs were held prior and during the Maha Kumbhabhishekam which included artists from India and local Bay area. Subhangi Sakhalkar performed Hindustani vocal and Raghavan Manian performed carnatic vocal on June 05th. Veena duet by Srikanth Chari & Akilesh Sista on June 12th was mesmerizing. Yakshagana—”Jambavathi Kalyana” by Shivaram Bhagat and group on June 12th was truly a feast to watch. Divyanamasankeerthanam by Thiruvaiyaru Sri. S.R. Krishnan on June 13th invoked devotional atmosphere in the temple campus. Odissi Dance by Niharika Mohanty on JUne 13th was simply splendid. Hyderabad Sisters vocal performance on Saturday June 19th was truly celestial. Carnatic vocal performance by Sangeetha Swaminathan on June 19th was attended and appreciated by huge crowds. The Maha Kumbhabhishekam was concluded with a Vocal recital by Asha Ramesh on June 20th.
This function would not have been possible without the help of many volunteers. Volunteers assisted in food preparation, registration, parking, and devotee management, cleaning and assisting the priests with various religious activities. Shiva Vishnu Temple is looking forward to celebrating next Maha Kumbhabhishekam in 2022 with even more enthusiasm and devotion.
Volunteer Appreciation Event: MKA Radio Campaign - Audio Files
Pre MKA Religious Events: Pre- MKA (YES- Youth and Education Services) events:
MKA Fundraising Dinner:
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