Significance of Bandhanam |
 Bhandanam means fixing an idol to its pedastal (supporting seat –PEETAM) inside the sanctum sanctorum of the temple. Bhandanam should be done regularly at 12 year Intervals to infuse the deity with divine power. When the Bhandanam is done with the help of herbs, the effect continues for a period of 12 years. However, when the Bhandanam is performed with gold (Swarna Bhandanam), the blessing power of the Deity lasts for a period of 100 years. |
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| The benefits of doing Bhandanam at regular intervals are manifold.
To quote,
“sarva yageshu yatpunyam sarvathirtheshu yatpalam sarva daneshu yatpunyam tatsarvam bhadnad bhavem”
Whatever merit (punya) is obtained by performing a yaga, whatever merit (punya) is earned by bath in all sacred rivers, whatever merit (punya) is gained through charity, the same could be obtained through doing a Bhandanam. Bhandanam helps to remove all afflictions and bestows all kinds of good, fortune on the doer. |
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| Ashtabhandanam is per se flexiblelike rubber. Through repeated pourings .of abhishekha dravyams, and atmospheric oxidants, the Ashtabhanddanam loses its flexibility, becomes rigid and causes a lot of fissures. Through these fissures the abhisheka dravyams percolate and attack the yantra embedded under the Upapeetam, obliterating the Bijaksharamantras inscribed on the yantra, which has the cascading effect of lowering the pranic spiritual power of the Deity |
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Swarnabhandhana |
| By covering the Ashtabhandanam with metallic sheets such brass, copper, etc. The Ashtabhandanam is fully insulated and protected from the corrosive effect of the abhisheka dravyams and atmospheric oxidants, for nearly a period of 4-5 years only; thereafter even these metals would gradually decelerate and degenerate due to the acidity of some of the abhisheka dravyams as curd,; honey, fruit juices, lemon, etc. On the other hand if sheets made of pure gold, the noblest of all metals is used, which could be attached only by nitric acid, the same will, besides adding beauty and lurme, lasting easily for 100 years. Hence, the Swarnabhandanam is the most durable, economical and sacred of all bhandanams. |
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Rajathabhandhana |
| Rajathabhandanam is the preferred next best method of doing the bhandanam. Although Rajatham (silver) is no match to Swarnam (gold) in terms of immunity from the acididicity of the Abhisheka Dravyas and atmospheric oxidents, the same is preferred for the same of beauty and brightness. |
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