The SAT Temple is happy to announce the arrival of the long-awaited murti-s from Poompuhar sculptures in Tamil Nadu, India.
The truck arrives with the murti-s.
Raman and the driver unload the crates and place them in a secure place until it is time to bring the murti-s into the temple.
Devotees start early Saturday morning uncrating Ribhu and placing him on the dolly.
On the bottom of Ribhu murti are carved the name of the place where the murti was created, “Poompuhar,” and the date “2015.”
Scott, Siva, Raman, Tim, and Raghunatha maneuver the murti up the first few steps.
The dolly being used to move the murti-s is a “stair climber.” It will actually climb the stairs—step by step.
The murti is now moved to a hydraulic engine hoist to lift it up to the first landing of the stairs.
Up Ribhu goes…
Ribhu is now moved back to the stair climber to make the long journey up the stairs leading the the Satsang Hall.
Ribhu and Sankara each weigh approx. 800 pounds. Although the stair climber is doing all the work of getting the murti up each step, devotees must use their weight to keep the murti from “teetering,” like a catapult, down the stairs.
Sangeeta signals each time the murti has reached the next step so adjustments can be made for the next step.
Almost to the top…
A few more steps…
On to the landing outside the Satsang Hall and then into the Satsang Hall.
Ribhu is placed next to His altar and the protective wrapping is removed.
Next…Sankara
Sankara’s crate is removed.
Devotees prepare Sankara for the stair climber.
The same process as Ribhu, only, this time, it seems slightly easier due to practice.
Sankara awaits the lift while Nome observes from above.
Sankara is cleaned.
Little Ribhu joins in cleaning the murti.
Sangeeta and Karuna clean Ribhu.
It is now time to place the murti-s upon their altars. Ribhu is placed back onto the hoist.
Now Sankara’s turn.
Siva opens the crate holding Nidhaga.
It is time to remove the blocks of wood from underneath the altars using a vehicle lift or jack. Three jacks are placed around the altar. The altar is lifted just enough to remove the blocks of wood. First Ribhu’s altar…
…next Sankara’s altar.
After the Ribhu and Sankara murti-s are cleaned, Anandhi and Sangeeta apply coconut oil. This protects the bronze and give it a nice shine.
Sia helps apply the coconut oil to Sankara and Nidhaga.
The murti-s in their respective places in the Satsang Hall.
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Pratishtha for Ribhu and Sankara is celebrated the following day after Sunday Satsang.
Devotees offer puja along with bhajans and stotrams.
We are exceedingly grateful to Bhagavan for these exquisite murti-s belonging to our linage of Advaita Vedanta!
Salutations to Sri Ramana Maharshi 