This
Abhishek Patra is crafted from copper. It is a bathing tray used by Gods and Goddesses. It features a large
central container with a beak-like shape. Abhishek is a religious rite in which
a god receives a sacred wash. A deity is washed with milk, yogurt, buttermilk,
honey, clarified butter, sugar, and various fruit liquids during an elaborate
Abhishek ritual. After the sacred image has been bathed, it is clothed,
adorned, nourished, and praised with hymns accompanied by bells, drums, and
other instruments. This copper ceremonial instrument is an important feature of
Abhishek rituals and has spiritual significance.
The Power of Worship: Performing an Abhishek with Purpose
Abhishek Patra is a vessel made of different materials such as
brass, steel, copper, and bronze. It is mainly used for performing
a ritual known as “Abhishek” or “Abhishekam”. In this ritual, the
deities are bathed with various liquid ingredients such as honey,
water, milk, etc before dressing them. It comes in various shapes
and sizes depending upon the number and size of the deities to be
placed. There is a flat plate or tray on the top for placing the
deity on it. The vessel is designed in such a way that there is an
outlet or passage in the tray so that all the liquids are poured
out and collected in a separate vessel.
1. Establish a place for worship
Before starting the Pooja, you should clean the area where you
will perform the worship. It could be the deity/pooja room or
any other vacant place. You may also sprinkle a few drops of
Gangajal to make the space pure.
2. Make sure the required paraphernalia are present before
beginning
To avoid interrupting the worship, keeping all the items ready
for before performing Abhishekam is necessary. The required
items are Abhishek Patra, a cleansed conch shell, five Pancha
Patras or water pots, a receptacle for Charanamrit (liquid
mixture), 1 cup of milk, ½ cup of yogurt, 2 tablespoons of
honey, 2 tablespoons of sugar in water, and 1 tablespoon of
ghee.
3. Mentally worship the Spiritual Master and the Lordship
It is very important for you to offer your respectful obeisance
unto your Spiritual Master and the Lord before performing any
service or Pooja. By doing this, you develop a mood of service
and attract the mercy of Guru and Bhagavan.
4. Perform Abhishek
For performing the Abhishek of the deity, first of all, fill all
the liquid ingredients (milk, honey, yogurt, sugar syrup, and
ghee) in five different unused or new containers (Pancha Patra).
You could also make a mixture of these. If you are worshiping
the deity of Radha Krishna, Lord Jagannath, Lord Vishnu, or Lord
Narasimha, you must put a Tulsi leaf in each of the ingredients.
Now, gently place the deity on the tray of the Abhishek Patra.
Take the cleansed conch and pour one liquid ingredient into it;
you could start with milk. With your right hand, bathe the deity
with all the liquids one by one by titling the elongated end of
the conch. You must chant some Pranam Mantras while performing
this worship. If you do not know any specific mantras, you can
simply chant the Hare Krishna Maha Mantra: Hare Krishna Hare
Krishna / Krishna Krishna Hare Hare/Hare Ram Hare Ram / Ram Ram
Hare Hare.
5. Collect all the liquids
Now that the Abhishek is done, it is time to collect the liquid
mixture into a separate container. You can collect either by
slightly tilting the Abhishek Patra or pushing through the
passage using your hand.
6. Clean and dress the deity
Take a dry towel and clean the deity to remove any stains or
drops of liquid ingredients used in the Abhishek. It is the time
to decorate the deity with a beautiful dress, flower garlands,
and different ornaments.
Abhishek Patra serves as the best medium for carrying out
occasional or even regular bathing of small deities. It can be
made of different materials such as brass, copper, and steel. It
may also bear beautiful engravings of motifs on the body.
