This festival is performed in the holy month of Jyestha as per Hindu Almanac and
the fete is completed coinciding the star of Jyestha in the constellation. This
festival is also called “
Abhidhyeyaka Abhishekam”.
“Abhidhyeyakam” means protective shield or
armour (that which cannot be destructed). To fight against the evil, the Lord emerged
with this protective armour in this Kaliyuga. Since the special abhishekam (celestial
bath) is conducted to this special “Armour of God”
this festival is also called Abhidhyeyaka Abhishekam. As this festival takes place
in the month of Jyestha it is also known as “Jyesthabhishekam”.
As per the temple legendary, this special Abhishekam is usually performed every
year to protect the Utsava deities of Lord Malayappa swami and his consorts Sridevi
and Bhudevi from damage that might occur while conducting processions and Tirumanjanam
(holy baths) all through the year during different festive occasions.
Meanwhile the festival lasts for three days. Each day after the second bell, the
lord and his consorts are taken to the Kalyanotsava mandapam located in Sampangi
Prakaram and Snapana Tirumanjanam is conducted amidst the chanting of vedic mantras.
Snapana Tirumanjanam involves performing a bath to the deities involving holy and
consecrated water mixed with spices including turmeric, sandal paste, honey, milk
and curd.
Later the lord and his consorts are adorned in different attires (special kavachams)on each of these days. On First Day Lord muses pilgrims in Vajrakavacham (armour studded with diamonds), followed by Muthyala kavcham (armour studded with pearls) and Svarna kavacham (armour of gold) on the third day. This Svarna kavacham remains adorned to the Lord and his consorts throughout the year and only removed for Abhidhyeyaka Abhishekam in the year next.