Dear Devotees,

On the occasion of Aswayuja/Aipasi Poornima, Annabhishekam will be performed at 6 PM followed by Annadanam.

Annabishekam Significance

Details about rice have been found in the Yajur Veda and are frequently referred to in many Sanskrit texts. Rice is often directly associated with prosperity and fertility; therefore is the custom of usage of rice as “akshata” at weddings and all other religious ceremonies. Rice is cooked and offered to deities as Maha Naivedhyam, both at home and temple.

Uttara Kaaranagama Ashvayuja maasa Annapuja patalam narrates:

Athavakshye viseshena Annapuja vidimshrunu |
Annadhi sarvasaubhagyam raajaraashtraabhivrudditham ||
Thulaa raasi gade bhanau thanmaase shukla pakshake |
Parvayukthamayukthamva ashwinirukshamevavaa ||

As per Agama Sastra, on paurnami day (full moon) when it coincides with Ashvini Nakshatra during the month of Aippasi, offering rice annam to Lord Shiva would help yielding good production of crop, economic progress, development of kingdom (Rajya Abhivruddhi).
Hence Annabishekam (special abishekam with cooked rice) is an annual affair during the full moon day of Aswayuja/Aippasi, being performed in several Temples.