Kumbhabhishekam involves invoking Gods and Goddesses in water and energizing them with Vedic mantras.The Holy water is then sprinkled on the Vigrahas (statues) amidst chanting of Vedic mantras. Thus energized, Vigrahas become powerful and divine and bestow boons to all devotees offering prayers in the temple. It is said that witnessing the Kumbhabhishekam in one’s lifetime bestows the greatest of boons to the devotees.  Shata Chandi Maha yagna propitiating Goddess Durga and Sahasra Kalasa Abhishekam (1008 holy vessels containing water energized with mantras) will be performed for the murthis (gods and goddesses) of Shiva, Sharadamba, Adi Shankara, Ganapati, Durga, Hanuman, Rama, Krishna and the Navagrahas.

The much anticipated consecration (“Mahakumbhabhishekam”) of SVBF Canada’s Sringeri Sharadamba Temple took place on a grand scale on June 20, 2010, witnessed live by thousands of devotees, dignitaries and other well-wishers. The event was recorded for live and delayed broadcast by many prominent TV channels, including ATN, Tamil One, OMNI, Vision TV, TV Asia, Star News, Jaya TV and others, as well a numerous radio and print media, giving the event global coverage. The event was the culmination of the 5 year vision of SVBF Canada’s trustees, particularly the Chair, Mr. Ravi Subramanian, whose dream of having a grand temple dedicated to the Goddess of Learning was fulfilled, as well as Dr. V.I. Lakshmanan for whom this event was the finest moment of his decades of community involvement. But the actual planning, organization and execution of the event could not have happened without the 100+ volunteers, both men and women, who worked hard and with devotion to ensure that not only did the religious and cultural components of the event took place without a hitch, but that all guests had an unforgettable experience.

Special messages of congratulations were received from Prime MInister Stephen Harper and Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty, and read out to all in the presence of a host of dignitaries, including MP’s Rob Oliphant, Patrick Brown, MPP Bob Delaney as well as Mayoral Candidates George Smitherman, Rocco Rossi and Rob Ford among others. The Federal Minister of Industry, Mr. Tony Clement, also visited the temple complex the next day. The June 20 consecration event was part of a 10-day long celebration with 25 cultural programs, by international and local artists and speakers. The program, which started on June 18, ended on June 27 with the inauguration of the Adi Shankara Museum, the first museum dedicated to the life of Adi Shankara, whose life is described in 27 large marble panels specially commissioned for SVBF Canafa and sculpted in Rajasthan, India. The Museum will also become a centre of research and study of India’s great traditions. It will join the Shri Sharadamba Temple and the existing Sringeri Community Centre for a one-of-a-kind facility for spiritual, intellectual, cultural and social fulfillment. The day-long-parade of visitors to the temple, long after the climactic kumbhabhishekam moment was ample proof.