The first series was for the different fierce forms of Shiva called the Bhairavas. Certainly in red, the fierceness is easy to see! When the murti is over 7 feet tall, that just adds to the effect.
After the abishekam and pujas, the priests moved out side to the courtyard where they performed homam (fire yagya).
In the shade of these beautiful trees it must have been a peaceful experience.
This is another form of Bhairava, the most active form of Shiva, although much smaller than the first one.
We decorate the temple with beautiful fresh garlands.
The homa kund (yagya fire pit) was extra large and beautifully decorated.
Final aarti; an offering of light to Agni; the yagya fire.
We also held a yagya for Durga who looks both beautiful and powerful in this temple.
Aarti after the pujas are completed.
And as always, after the yagyas, our priests performed homam; the fire yagya.
As the flames dance some people think you can see the goddess herself.
Of course we have to have Rudra Abishekam in one of the many temples in Varanasi with all the colorful traditional ingredients.
In many Varanasi temples the priests sit around the lingam instead of having it in an inner sanctum.
After the abishekam the lingam is beautifully decorated. The coconut is symbolic of the breaking of the hard shell of the ego which separates us from the divine.
The fire yagya takes place outside within sight of the Ganges River.
At the conclusion of the yagya it is natural to bow down and at that moment express your prayer.
A huge red Ganesha looking very friendly.
An unusual perspective on the fire yagya.
Note the beautiful flowers. It is rare to see blue flowers...presumably because they represent Saturn, although Ganesha is the best antidote to the restrictive effects of Saturn.
One of our long time participants sponsored a beautiful private yagya for Vishnu and Lakshmi in a wonderful temple with elegant columns.
Final aati, the offering of light at the end of the pujas.
And of course the event ends with a beautiful fire yagya.
