Firstly, the idol is sculpted in a black or white stone (such as a white marble). After the idol gets the shape on a very auspicious day, the prana prathishtapana takes place. In other words, the idol is kept inside the garbha guddi.
Before placing the idol, the Navarathnas are placed below the seating of the idol. Several homas and rituals take place before the idol is placed in the garbha guddi. The procedure remains the same for almost all the gods and goddesses. The homa is performed for 48 days. As the homa is performed for those many days, the garbha guddi becomes very hot. So, it is believed that to cool the temperatute inside of the shrine, the abhishekam is performed.
Abhishekam has to be performed by the priest of that temple to the idol on everyday basis. The thirtham or the panchamrutham is later distributed among the devotees. It is also important to use the ingredients that are obtained from the cow and the main ingredients that are used are milk, curd and ghee.
