The temple grounds are quite large and feature this huge pipal tree.
Our priests are very careful to use all the traditional ingredients as seen below. There are colorful packets of milk (upper left), bags of yogurt (upper right), dates, many different kinds of fruit, fresh and dried coconuts, honey, rosewater, turmeric, sugar, ghee, vibhuti (sacred ash), and many ingredients that I don't recognize.
And of course, beautiful handmade fresh flower malas. The white flowers are jasmine and have a wonderful fresh sweet smell.
Dakshinamurti is the form of Shiva honored as the prototypical teacher(guru). The results of this yagya are to enhance and strengthen our own spiritual side, to smooth our path to enlightenment, and to balance the planet Jupiter's effect in our chart.
Shiva is often seen as the "Destroyer" and in this case he is the destroyer of ignorance.
The Abishekam consists of pouring the various ingredients over the murti either directly as seen here with milk, or when mixed in water as with turmeric. It may seem odd, but the effect of the abishekam is to purify the temple and to cool and invigorate the murti.
The scented sandalwood is very pretty when poured over the murti.
Afterwards, the murti is dried, dressed in a new dhoti, and draped with the fresh flower malas. They will last for several days to delight and inspire all who visit the temple.
