Pratiṣṭhā — The Consecration That Establishes the Divine Presence
Pratiṣṭhā (Sanskrit: 'that which stands firmly, stable establishment') is the Āgamic rite of consecration by which a stone or metal vigraha (sacred image) ceases to be mere matter and becomes the living, conscious, willed presence of Bhagavān — His arcāvatāra (incarnation in iconic form). The fundamental theological claim of pratiṣṭhā is that Bhagavān Himself, out of His infinite compassion (saulabhya), chooses to take up residence within the consecrated image permanently for the benefit of His devotees. The vigraha is not a symbol or representative — after pratiṣṭhā it is Bhagavān.
Pratiṣṭhā may extend over several days and culminate in kumbhābhiṣeka, with sanctified water from the kumbhas offered to the temple, vimāna, and arcā forms. The detailed sequence follows the temple's governing Pāñcarātra or Vaikhānasa text and inherited practice. It can include preliminary adhivāsas, homas, mantra-nyāsa, the ritual opening of the eyes, vāstu rites, and other prescribed acts. A fixed list containing navagraha-śānti is not universal to every Vaiṣṇava pratiṣṭhā, and the officiants and mantras must conform to the relevant Āgama.
Temples undertake periodic mahā-samprokṣaṇa or kumbhābhiṣeka, especially after major renovation or according to the temple's established cycle. Twelve years is a widely cited interval in many places, but it is not a universal rule by which Bhagavān's presence automatically expires. Damage, renovation, interruption, or ritual transgression may call for specific remedial or re-consecratory rites as prescribed by the relevant Āgama; the required procedure and any temporary restrictions depend on the actual circumstance.