An Introduction to Jeernodharana Kumbhabhishekam

Sthapati R. Selvanathan, CES

Sri Vaidyanatha Sthapati Associates, Chennai

S
ri Siva Vishnu Temple is undertaking the activities of
Jeernodharana Kumbhabisekam scheduled for next
year. This is a ceremony of rejuvenating the temple’s
sanctity once in every 12 years. On this special occasion let
us take a tour inside the shilpa tradition to better understand
the fundamentals before understanding why and how a
Jeernodharana is performed.
First we have to understand what a Temple is. It is not simply
a congregational structure or a prayer hall. It is a meaningful
structure that gives spiritual experience in visual form. We
all believe that the Temple is home of God. But the Vasthu
Shilpa Shastram indicates that a temple structure enclosing a
part of empty space is treated as a living organism. This is like
a human body enclosing an energetic space inside the body
known as the soul. In other words, the Temple structure is
the form of God and the soul is the statue residing inside the
structure. So the temple is considered as form of God and Sri Siva Vishnu Temple was designed and constructed by
not home of God. This is the main reason that the holy water the late Padmabhushan Dr. V. Ganapathi Sthapati in early
first anoints the Temple Vimana and then to the Lord Moola 80s based on shastraical rules and aesthetical principles.
Bimbha housed inside the Sanctum. Now after 24 years SSVT has scheduled for the second
Jeernodhara Maha Kumbhabisekam, the first time being
Our ancient scriptures like Vedas, Agamas, Upanishads,
in 2003. Following this schedule, a team of silpis has been
Vasthu Shilpa Shastras confirm the above statement in differ-
recruited to carry out Jeernodharana activities. Now let me
ent canto as stated below:
deal with the questions: What is jeernodharana? Why and
Deho devalayah prokto jeevo devah sanatanaha meaning when is a Jeernodharana recommended?
the Temple structure is considered to be human body and
Jeernodharanam means the Temple form and the deities
the space enclosed inside is the divine spirit.
within the temple need to be repaired, renovated, restored
Prasadam purusham mathva poojayet mantravittamaha and rejuvenated, apart from the regular wear and tear. This is
meaning the priest well versed in mantras looks upon the normally undertaken once in every 12 years. As I explained
temple building as a purusha or god and worship him with earlier, Temple form is a living organism; it is the form of
due respect. God, hence care needs to be taken, as we do for a human
Therefore the components of the temple structure is expressed being.
in physical terms as shown in the accompanied drawings. Jeernodharanam, the process of repairing and renovating is
clearly explained in shastras like Mayamatha, Manasaara,
Kasyapa Shilpa and in some agamic texts. There are four
types of Jeernodharana explained in the shastras, namely
Aavardhana, Anavardhanam, Punaravardhanam and
Andharitham.
Aavardhanam means renovating and restoring an aban-
doned temple, be it an old or very ancient temple structure.
Thereafter rejuvenate the Temple with agamic rituals and
perform Aavardhana Mahakumbahbisekam.
Anavardhanam means constructing a new temple based on

2014 Fundraising Dinner – For 2015 Jeernodharana Kumbhabhishekam 3

An Introduction to Jeernodharana Kumbhabhishekam Sri Siva Vishnu Temple

agama shilpa shastram and perform Anavardhana or Nut-
hana Mahakumbhabisekam.
Punaravardhanam means repairing and renovating
an existing temple with daily rituals. Then perform the
Punaravardhana Mahakumbhbaisekam. This is normally
performed once in every 12th year.
The fourth one Andharitham means rectifying and
rejuvenating the disturbed spiritual ambience of the Temple
sanctity by the natural and unnatural happenings. Natural
disturbances like flood inside the sanctum sanctorum due
to unprecedented rain, attack of lightning and thunder on
the temple structure etc. The unnatural disturbances are
like entry of burglars, military attacks inside the temple,
unexpected death incidents and sometimes entry of animals
like dog, cat, pig etc. These will be rectified and the spiritual
ambience rejuvenated by reciting agamic mantras for certain
aavardhis, performing shanthi homas and so on.
In the context of SSVT we are performing a Punaravard-
hana Jeernodharana Maha Kumbhabisekam.
Personally, SSVT has offered a great opportunity to me and
my team to undertake the renovation and restoration work.
This temple complex is so designed that the entire complex
is filled with spiritual ambience. No doubt that each and
every devotee will continue receiving the physical harmony
and spiritual ecstasy once they enter into the most sacred
premises of Sri Siva Vishnu Temple.

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4 2014 Fundraising Dinner – For 2015 Jeernodharana Kumbhabhishekam