Chennai
As Thanjavur Big Temple consecration (kumbabishegam) ceremony is nearing, works to place the 12 feet kalasam on the 216 feet temple tower are going ahead.
Thanjavur Brihadeeswara Temple or the Big Temple (as called popularly) is considered as one of the popular cultural symbols in the world. It is now under the control of Central Government's Archaeological department. The Big temple Consecration ceremony is all set to take place after 23 years, on February 5.
Yaagasalai pooja will begin from Saturday evening in the temple. Poorvanga pooja is ongoing in the temple from January 27. Owing to the kumbabishegam, kalasam of Peruvudaiyar, Periyanayagi amman, Varagi amman, Vinayagar, Murugan, Dhakshinamoorthy, Sandigeshwarar, Natarajar were removed.
The kalasams were gold-plated after they were removed. A total of 334 grams of gold was used to gold-plate the kalasams. The main kalasam which is 12*4.5 feet, is originally made of copper. The kalasam was examined by Kalpakkam Indira Gandhi Nuclear Research Center's radiation section head Venkatraman.
Poojas for the kalasams were performed by Sivacharyas. After the pooja, the main kalasam was placed on the main temple tower on Thursday. A pooja was performed again at evening 7 pm after the kalasam placement. In similar manner, other kalasams will be placed on Friday.
"For the main temple kalasam alone, 190 grams of gold was used. About 334 grams of gold was used over all for all the kalasams. We have planned to use 5 bags of millets for other kalasams," said Spathi Selvaraj.
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