Abhishekam is a ceremony of ablutions and symbolic offerings. The meaning of the word abhishekam, is 'to make one wet all around', so an abhishekam is the process of bathing the deity. It may be simple by just using water or elaborate when milk, curds, honey, ghee, sugar, coconut water, sandal paste, fruit juice to name a few in addition to water are poured in a steady stream over a murti, or divine figurine.. Mantras are chanted during this activity and the temple bell is sounded. The ablutions symbolize spiritual purification and each of the offerings represents fulfillment on every level. Throughout the abhishekam deity specific mantras are chanted to invoke blessings that uplift, protect and spiritually benefit us.

Sunderkand is a chapter in the 'Ram-Charit-Maanas', penned by Goswami Tulsidas is considered to be as auspicious to read, as it is to recite the 'Hanuman Chalisa'. In the Sunder-kand, Hanumanji is reminded by Jambavan about the fact that Hanumanji has great powers that the latter has no memory of. In this case Hanumanji is made to remember about the fact that he is capable of flying. Jambavan exhorted Hanuman to undertake the crossing of the mighty ocean. Hanumanji's flight was necessary to search for Seeta who had been abducted by Raavan.

Seeta is symbolic of Bhakti or devotion. To reach her one has to don the wings of prayer and love.

Hanumanji is now all ready to take the leap. Let us take the flight with him in search of Love incarnate. Come and join us in the Sunderkand reading.