Aippasi Purnima: Aippasi Annabishekam For Lord Shiva

In the Tamil Calendar, Aippasi is known to be the seventh month and it is one of the most celebrated festivals in South India- especially Tamil Nadu.

The month commences as the Sun enters Thulaa Raasi or Libra. At the same time, Moon is positioned in the Ashvini Nakshatra Constellation right on the full moon day. This is when the month is named as Aippasi/Asvija or Ashvayuja Maasam.

It is also named as Thulaa Maasa, as Thulaa denotes 'Balance' and at that time, the day and night will be equal.

Aippasi Purnima 2024 is on October 16 Wednesday

5 months and 16 days to go for the event

Rituals of Aippasi Annabishekam

On this day, Annabishekam is celebrated religiously in all Siva Temples.  Rice is considered the most important form of prasadam as that is considered the favourite of Lord Shiva.

Devotees cover the Shiva Lingam with freshly cooked rice and also adorn it other fruits and vegetables in  a beautiful and attractive manner. They believe that this is a good way to offer thanksgiving to the Lord Shiva- for all the food and blessings he has offered to them.

Cooked Rice is also offered as Maha Naivedhyam to the diety in the homes and the temples of the Shiva followers.

One of the Largest Asian Shivalinga can be seen at Lord Bragadeeswarar, the presiding deity of the world heritage temple at Gangaikondacholapuram, in Tamil Nadu. On the Aippasi Annabishekam festival, at least 110 bags of raw rice are cleaned, and cooked dutifully. Then the rice is poured over the giant Shiva Lingam.

Once the puja is over, this rice is offered to devotees as prasadam.

Important Timings On Aippasi Purnima 2024

Significance of Aippasi Purnima Puja

This festival named as the Aippasi Purnima Puja is one of the most celebrated festivals in South India. It marks the beginning of Diwali Festival.

In South India, it is believed that Deepawali will begin with a holy bath called the Ganga Snaanam. This involves a holy oil bath, that has to be taken early in the morning. 

Mythology explains that Goddess Lakshmi lives in the holy oil, Ganga Maa in the holy water and the medicianl powder that is used to clean and rub off the oil from the body. This is usually Sheekkakai powder that helps wash away the medicinal oil. It is believed to be a cleansing bath before the Festival of Lights: Diwali.

 

Aippasi Purnima festival dates between 2020 & 2030

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