The Prana Pratistha

One by one She places pink lotuses on the four corners of the square base, and also midway along the sides. The last lotus, fully opened, She clasps to Her Heart, and for a long time, motionless, She meditates.

Then, as the Panchavadyam musicians play ever more fervently and a blown conch rends the air, a group of brahmacharis emerges into the courtyard. They are bearing the new stone murthi. They circle the temple to enter the front (east) door, the same one through which Amma passed before them.

Labouring, backs bent, arms stretching down with the immense weight, they carry the image up the steps and into the inner sanctum, where they lay it on a small bench near the hollow base.

They leave, the doors close, and the waiting begins. "Om Siva Shaktyaikya Rupinyai Namaha" the crowd chants on and on, the musicians play on, the bells ring continuously. Suddenly the temple doors open and there stands Amma— She comes to each door, again engaging the devotees in what She is about to do.

Prana pratishta

Pratishta

First Darshan

The Reality

Brahmasthanam