Sri Vari Jyestabhishekam Tirumala Story:<:h2>
The festival of “Jyesthabhishekam” is performed in the holy month of Jyestha as per Hindu Almanac and the fete is completed coinciding with the star of Jyestha in the constellation. This festival is also called “Abhidhyeyaka Abhishekam”.
“Abhidhyeyakam” means protective shield or armour (that which cannot be destructed). To fight against the evil, the Lord emerged with this protective armour in this Kaliyuga.
Since the special abhishekam (celestial bath) is conducted to this special “Armour of God” this festival is also called Abhidhyeyaka Abhishekam.
As this festival takes place in the month of Jyestha,(usually falls in June or July)it is also known as “Jyesthabhishekam”. This celestial fete is only two decades old.
As per the temple legend, this special Abhishekam is usually performed every year to protect the Utsava deities of Lord Malayappa swami and his consorts Sridevi and Bhudevi from damage that might occur while conducting processions and Tirumanjanam (holy baths) all through the year during different festive occasions.
This festival lasts for three days. Each day after the second bell, the lord and his consorts are taken to the Kalyanotsava mandapam located in Sampangi Prakaram and Snapana Tirumanjanam is conducted amidst the chanting of vedic mantras.
Snapana Tirumanjanam involves performing a bath to the deities involving holy and consecrated water mixed with spices including turmeric, sandal paste, honey, milk and curd.
Later the lord and his consorts are adorned in different attires (special kavachams)on each of these days. On First Day Lord muses pilgrims in Vajrakavacham (armour studded with diamonds), followed by Muthyala kavcham (armour studded with pearls) on the second day. The Vajra and Muthya kavacham are adorned to Lord only during this time in a year.
On the final day, the Lord will be draped in Svarna kavacham (armour made of gold) and this Svarna kavacham remains adorned to the Lord throughout the year and only removed for Abhidhyeyaka Abhishekam in the year next.