Ayyappa temple in Kolkata to hold once-in-12-years puja

KOLKATA: Saastha Samooham, located at Lake Avenue near Mudiali, is organizing the Kumbhaabhishekam (conducted once in 12 years) to the presiding deities from June 25 to 29, a special puja to synergize and unite the mystic powers of the presiding deities, the most sacred part of the consecration ceremony of Hindu temples.
This is the only temple in Kolkata that was established more than seven decades ago to provide a platform for the worship of lord Ayyappa, the presiding deity at Sabari Mala Hills, Kerala.
M Viswanathan, vice-president of the managing committee of the temple, said the main function will be held on June 29 from 9.30am to 11am.
In addition to organizing Kumbhaabhishekam, the temple authorities have constructed a new Raja Gopuram or the gateway of the temple, renovated the existing building and upgraded the conveniences for the devotees by extending the floor area.
“We are requesting all the devotees to participate in all these functions and receive the abundant blessings of Lord Dharma Saastha,” said Viswanathan.
S Viswanathan, the temple manager told TOI that the temple renovation – borne entirely through donations – has seen them bring craftsmen from the Chidambaram town of Cuddalore in Tamil Nadu. “This scale of renovation is taking place after 40 years. A minimum of 500 devotees are thus expected to visit the temple every day during Kumbhaabhishekam. We usually have a footfall of around 100-150 on Saturdays when the special pujas are held,” said the manager.
With the support of devotees and well-wishers, Saastha Samooham has now grown to become the largest spiritual association of people from south India in Kolkata with a member strength that is well above a thousand. The Samooham is also actively engaged in socially relevant activities.