Kumbhabhishekam :

  It is expected that once in 12 years a temple has to perform Sahasra Kumbhabhishekam to reinforce sanctity. As the very word suggests the 'Sahasra Kumbha' denotes one thousand pots but in reality it will have 1001, the last being called the Prime Kalasha or Brahma Kalasha. When 1000 Kalashas are of the same size the prime one will be almost ten times bigger than the standard size. The pots could be made up of clay, copper, silver or gold but they will have to have in them holy water ceremonially collected from all the sacred rivers in India. These 1000 pots thereafter will be neatly kept in well defined circles one after the other and the innermost should have in its centre the Prime Kalasha fully adorned with flowers and gold ornaments besides the coconut and a piece of cloth on its top. Before arranging the pots, the circles are colourfully drawn with powders of various hues and colours. A kalasha represents the universe and the most fascinating aspect of Hindu worship is treating the human being as an inseparable part and parcel of that universe. The worship proceeds from this noble thought firm in mind.

  In Mulki temple, they had silver kalashas, all sponsored by the devotees. After the 'abhisheka', or the holy bath to the deities was over, the kalashas with holy water were given as a 'prasadam' to the sponsors to carry home as a souvenir or an object of reverence and worship. This 'abhishekam' of 1001 sacred pots is also recommended as a remedy as stated in our scriptures when a temple becomes dull and the idols being contaminated for various reasons will render powerless being unable to answer the prayers of proper 'havans' to restore the sanctity and also to regain the presence of the divine prowess besides acting as a turning point. But Mulki's programme is a unique one because the temple has never lost its lustre nor glory and it is performed that for the first time in the history of around 700 years as it is found that the ancient township of Mulki is not keeping the pace with the progress of those of the neighbouring towns. It is H H Shrimat Sudhindra Thirtha Swamiji, the reigning pontiff of Shri Kashi Math Samasthan-20th in the lineage - founded by H H Shri Vijayeendra Tirtha Swamiji around the year 1541 A D that has advised to have the programme dedicated not only for the progress of the temple and the town of Mulki but also for the welfare of our nation as a whole.

During the five days of the festivities from 31st December,1996 to 4th January,1997 over 50,000 pilgrims irrespective of caste, creed and community participated. On the concluding day the crowd was estimated at 25,000 and the temple played a good and generous host to everyone with due respect and politeness. The event proved to be a memorable one as on the concluding day both the senior and junior Swamijis performed the 'abhishekam' of 1000 pots by turn. As a grand finale, the Prime or the Brahma Kalasha was taken round the temple in a colourful procession and then passed on to the senior Swamiji for concluding the ceremony of 'abhishekam'. It was a rare sight and a life time experience to watch. There was close circuit TV besides the cable operators telecasting live the even across Mulki town to enable all to watch at home if they so desire, their most popular and revered deity, Lord Narasimha flanked by all other deities in the temple holding out a very solid assurance that he will never and never tolerate even the slightest tyranny and terror inflicted on his devotees and at the same time shower abundantly all his grace!

  At the time of valedictory programme, the senior Shri Swamiji gladdened the heart of devotees by declaring that the mammoth programme went on very well without even the slightest flaw. "This certainly indicates that Lord Narasimha is pleased with the devotion and hard work of everyone, he will burst into a violent passion only with his intense feelings and mercy for the innocent devotees if they are unnecessarily harassed and intimidated, and at that time no one can stand his fury. But being the ocean of Mercy he is easily accessible through the path of devotion, faith and trust in him and treading on this path let us invoke his everlasting grace!"…….