Many of the actions that are a part of a yagya performance are symbolic, meant to remind the participants of different aspects of the nature of divinity. In this case, the photos are from a recent Rudra Abishekam performed at the Malibu temple and as you can see, honey is being offered by pouring it over the lingam.
I can certainly understand honey because it is a natural substance and extensively honored in the Ayurvedic tradition. But I was a little bit surprised to see that sugar also is also offered as a part of Rudra Abishekam. It is meant to recall the attractiveness and sweetness of the divine, but sugar has gotten a decidedly bad rap in recent years!
