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TAMPA HINDU TEMPLE OF FLORIDA TO HOLD Pushkara Kumbhabhishekam FEB. 9-13
Story provided by Hindu Temple of Florida
On the eve of its 25-year anniversary, the Hindu Temple of Florida will hold Pushkara Kumbhabhishekam on Feb. 9-13.
Pushkara is a Sanskrit word derived from Pushti meaning nourishment and Kara means one who conducts it. The Pushkara Kumbhābhishekam is performed to reenergize the devatas residing in the temple. The all-pervasive Parabrahman is represented as vigrahas (idols) to bless his devotees.The four types of Kumbhabhishekam conducted in temples are Āvartaṃ, Anuvartam, Punarāvartam and Antaritam. Āvarta Kumbhabhishekam is performed when a new temple is consecrated. Punarāvartam is conducted every 12 years following the Avarta Kumbhābhishekam to reenergize the temple. As temples age, they require improvements or repairs even when built to last for centuries. Such improvements are usually done when the Pushkara Kumbhābhishekam is conducted.
During the Pushkara Kumbhābhishekam, the new dhvajastambham will be consecrated, along with re-consecration of the existing vigrahams, prākārams, vimāna gopurams and rājagopuram. Before the Kumbhābhishekam, the divine powers of the deities are transferred by the priests to the kumbhams, which are placed in a yāgashālā, where nitya-pūjas and other Kumbhābhishekam rituals are conducted. The divine energy is then transferred back to the mūla-vigrahas of the temple by performing the Kumbhābhishekams using water in the kumbhams.
As per Āgama Shāstras, the Kumbhābhishekam has an everlasting effect on society. It brings in happiness and prosperity to all, not just the temple devotees. The temple is at 5509 Lynn Road, Tampa; for information, visit https://www.htfl.org/kumbhabhishekam
MELBOURNE TO HOLD 25th INDIAFEST MARCH 5-6
Manav Mandir will present its silver jubilee Indiafest 2022 on Saturday, March 5, and Sunday, March 6, at Wickham Park, 2500 Parkway Drive, Melbourne. There will be cultural and fashion shows, henna, arts and crafts, Indian cooking demo, food, raffle drawings, etc.
Timings are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $7 for adults, $3 for children ages 12 and under and kids younger than 5 years are free. To celebrate 25 years, attendees will be transported to a desert village in India during extended hours from 6 to 9 p.m. on Saturday.
This year, festival organizers are looking to start a $100,000 endowment scholarship with Eastern Florida State College to afford tuition for deserving students who need a helping hand. Past beneficiaries include Haiti earthquake, various Florida hurricane relief efforts, Early Intervention, Daily Bread, Serene Harbor, Crosswinds, Cancer Care Center, Sentinels of Freedom - Veterans Re-Training Program, Children’s Hunger Project, Promise in Brevard, Candlelighters of Brevard and the Brevard School Foundation.
For information, call Yasmin Majeed at (321) 720-8590, e-mail [email protected] or visit www.indiafestbrevard.org
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