Source: HPI (By Dr. S.P. Sabharathnam)
KAPAA, USA, October 31, 2009: Anna Abhishekam is a very important monthly festival in a Siva Temple. It is to performed for the prosperity of the land and the abundant growth of crops and fruit trees.
The harvesting of paddy in South India usually reaps its yield by October/ November. In order to thank God, people show their gratitude by performing rice abhishekams to Lord Siva (with cooked rice), usually in the form of a Siva Lingam.
When the full moon aligns with the Asvayuj star (asvini nakshatra) in the month of Tula (November-December), pure rice is cooked and brought to the main shrine after circumambulating the temple with the accompaniment of the sounding of musical instruments and drums and vedic chants. The cooked rice which should be moderately hot, well consecrated and offered to Lord Siva. The linga portion of Sivalinga is to be completely covered with this consecrated cooked rice. Lord Siva is to be meditated as manifested in the form of the Anna Linga.
In this harvest festival, special kinds of various rices such as tamarind rice, curd rice, sesame rice, rice boiled with milk and sugar (sarkara pongal), payasa and other sweets and eatables and fruits are to be offered as naivedyam. Not only human beings, but other living forms will be fed with the naivedyam.