INDIA, October 28, 2015 (The Hindu): The huge Sivalinga at the sanctum sanctorum of the Sri Brihadeeswarar temple, better known as Big Temple, was swathed in cooked rice and decorated with boiled vegetables as Annabishekam (lit. “food bathing”) ritual was performed on the occasion of Aippasi Pournami on Tuesday. The ritual was performed in all Siva temples in Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, and Nagapattinam districts and the day culminated with the mahadeeparadhanai at dusk.
A large number of devotees offered worship to Lord Brahadeeswarar at Gangaikondacholapuram on the occasion of the maha annabhishekam, falling on the Full Moon Day in the month of Aippasi here on Tuesday. The annual abhishekam is marked by covering the presiding deity with holy rice. The presiding lingam, made of moonstone, is about 63-feet tall and its diameter is 13.25 feet. The temple is noted for its architectural splendour. About 7,700 lbs of rice was used for the maha annabhishekam.
The maha annabhishekam is performed for the 30th consecutive year under the auspices of Sri Kanchi Kamakotti Annabhisheka Committee, constituted by Sri Paramacharya of Sri Kanchi Mutt three decades ago.