abhiṣekam

abhiṣekam is the physical cleansing and purification of the deity’s idol. Metaphorically, it is to cleanse and purify the devotee’s mind. It is a form of worship (pūjā). The purifying liquids used in abhishekam can include milk, yogurt, ghee, honey, sugar, oil and fruit juices, among others. The first five of these represent the five elements of water, earth, fire, air and ether. panċāmrta, a mixture of all five, may also be poured over the idol.

The idol is then rinsed with clean water before being dressed and decorated (alankāra).

By offering the substances representing five elements, the devotees ask the deity to purify those elements within themselves and the corresponding five senses in their own bodies: vision (water), taste (earth), hearing (fire), smell (ether) and touch (air).

Note:

• śivā abhiṣekam for pradōṣam (approximately every two weeks)
• gaṇeṣa abhiṣekam for sankaṣṭi / sankaṭa hara caturthi (approximately once a month)
• dattatrēya abhiṣēkam (every Thursday)
• sāi bābā abhiṣēkam (every Thursday)