Renovation Work in Progress

With the setting up of Balalayam on 6th December 2019, renovation of the temple has started and has been progressing with full vigour.

Recent photos of the work being carried out can be seen in the link given here: https://photos.app.goo.gl/G9gpcjNGoNss64X19.

God willing everything should go well and in time for the Kumbhabhishekam.

Devotees' continued support towards this is solicited.

Balalayam – What is Balaalayam in the Kumbhabhishekam ceremony?

Balayalam is a miniature temporary structure erected during the renovation and Kumbhabhishekam ceremony in a Hindu Temple. The divine presence of the main deity in temple is transferred from the murti worshipped to a Kalasha. This Kalasha is placed atop the Balalayam. ‘Baala’ means mini and ‘Aalaya’ means temple or structure in Sanskrit.

During the Jeernodharana (renovation period) of a temple, the divine presence of the Murtis is transferred to the holy waters contained in the Kalasha (pot). Pooja is done to these Kalashas and Ustava deities (the small murtis of the main murti of the temple that are used during processions).

The Kalashas remain in a miniature structure known as Balalayam. During this time the devotees will not be able to see or do poojas to the moola vigrahas or murtis worshipped in a temple. The scheduled poojas will be done only to Utsava deities.

The divine presence of the temple deity will in the Kalashas atop Balalayam until it is transferred back to the Moola vigrahas or the main murti. Scheduled Poojas to Moola vigrahas will start only on the Kumbhabhishekam day.

The above content is borrowed from https://www.hindu-blog.com/2010/09/balalayam-what-is-balaalayam-in.html by Abhilash Rajendran

Balalayam - 6th Dec 2019

The renovation activities of the Mahasastha temple will commence on Friday, 6th December 2019 @ 7:30 a.m. with the consecration of the Balalayam.  Effective that day, until the Kumbhabhishekam on 5th February 2020, there will not be any abhishekam to the moolavar.  However darshan of the deities will be possible.  Devotees may accordingly factor this in their travel plans.