Installation of Utsava-Murtis
Omkarananda-Kamakshi-Devi Mandir on 3rd and 4th March 2008

Beginning of March 2008 a team of wonderful South-Indian Priests, Shri Sudhakara Sharma from Chennai and his Assistants, and a Shilpi (Sculptor) from Kumbhakonam, Tamil Nadu, arrived with 4 new Utsava-Murtis for our Omkarananda Ashram Himalayas.

The purpose of Utsava-Murtis is the transportability. Normally, in a temple, the Main Deities are fixed in the Sanctum Sanctorum, so it is not possible to carry them in a procession around the Temple or the streets of a Temple-town. On behalf of the Deity the Utsava-Murti (which is not fixed) will be used for carrying, resp. worshipping.

The Utsava Murti is usually made out of shining metals (Pancha-loha) and smaller than the original Deity. We got 4 Utsava Murtis, made in Tamil Nadu: Omkarananda-Kamakshi-Devi Utsava Murti along with Mahasaraswati and Mahalakshmi and an Utsava Murti for Lord Mahakala-Bhairava, which was installed on 5th and 6th March 2008, along with the big Pranapratishtha Murti during inauguration of the new Mahakala-Bhairava Mandir.

The installation of the three new Utsava Murtis for the Omkarananda-Kamakshi-Devi Mandir took place in a highly scientific and spiritual way with many different rituals and constant prayers.

First the Murtis were laid down on a carpet and then covered with rice-corns and finally put to rest, covering them with a shawl.

After letting the Murtis rest for a while, they were brought in front of the Temple, where they were bathed with Ganga-Jal, Milk, Haldi, Vibhuti, Honey, Curd and many more items. All this was carried out by the Main-Priest Sudhakar Sharma and all our Priests of Omkarananda-Kamakshi-Devi Mandir. There was an enthusiastic gathering of people, who were watching these beautiful, spiritual activities.

Finally, in a procession, under constant chanting of the mystical syllables, the Devis were put in front of Omkarananda-Kamakshi-Devi, – beautifully dressed in different colours and shining ornaments. Proudly they stood ready for any procession, which later on will be routinely taken up by the Priests according to special spiritual festivals.