Silvester D’Souza

Daijiworld Media Network – Kundapur (MS)

Kundapur, Mar 16: The chariot festival of historically famous Sri Mookambika temple of Kollur concluded on Wednesday. Devotees in large numbers arrived from outstation districts, states and overseas countries.

Various religious rituals began from early morning in the temple under the guidance of Tantri Ramachandra Adiga. After Muhurta Bali, Kshipra Bali and Ratha Bali, twin procession idols were brought out from the sanctum sanctorum at 12.30 pm and procession was held till Ganapati temple. After 5 pm the idols were taken in procession up to Shankarasharama. After the procession, the idols were brought back and kept in the sanctum sanctorum.

K N Narasimha Adiga, Sridhar Adiga, K N Govinda Adiga Subramanya Adiga and Vignesh Adiga assisted chief priest K Ramachandra Adiga. As no Covid restrictions were this year, a large number of devotees took part in the festivities. Heavy police presence was deployed under the guidance of DySP Belliappa.

Annual celebrations of the temple began on March 5 and various celebrations were held till March14. Okuli and Avabratha Snana will be held on Thursday. On Friday, Ashwarahanotsava, Mahapoornahuti, Dhwajavarohana, Poornakumbabisheka and Ankura Prasadam distribution will be held.

Former minister Eshwarappa, MLA Sukumara Shetty, Gopala Poojary, Babu Shetty Taggarse, Veena, Chandrashekara Shetty, Ganesh Kini, Dr Atulkumar, Gopalakrishna Nada, Jayananda Hobalidar, Ratna Ramesh Kundar, Sunil Shetty, Mahesh and others were present.