Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (TP)

Udupi, Nov 14: The three-day Lakshadeepotsava celebrations began at Udupi Sri Krishna Math on Wednesday November 13.

The theppotsava and annual Rathotsava, was inaugurated at Sri Krishna Matha in honour of Utthana Dwadashi under the guidance of Sri Sugunendra Theertha Swamiji of Paryaya Sri Puthige Math. The festivities began with the Tulsi Pooja in the morning and Ksheerabhisheka (milk ablution) Pooja in the evening.

The evening rituals included the Ksheerabhisheka at the central pavilion of the Madhwa Sarovara, where Sri Sugunendra Theertha Swamiji, alongside the junior pontiff, Sri Sushrindra Teertha Swamiji, conducted the pooja ceremonies. In the afternoon, Swamiji performed the auspicious lighting of oil lamps, which were placed on cow-dung-coated leaves arranged along Car Street.

The Theppotsava was held at night, with the beautifully crafted float designed in the Parthasarathi style as a special highlight. Thousands of oil lamps lit up car-street and Madhwa Sarovara, adding to the splendor of the occasion. Following the Teppotsava, the Rathotsava was conducted, marking the first festival after the completion of the Chaturmasya observance. The festival deities were ceremoniously placed on the chariot for the Rathotsava, initiating eight months of festivities dedicated to the deity Sri Krishna Mukhyaprana.

During the Rathotsava, a Tulsi Bhajan group carried a model of the Tulsi altar while singing devotional hymns. The one-month-long Paschimajagara Pooja and the four-month-long Chaturmasya food restrictions were concluded, resuming the traditional food practices.

Sri Sugunendra Tirtha Swamiji performed the Maha Pooja, followed by the Tulsi Pooja. The Lakshadeepotsava will continue daily until November 16. An all-night discourse by Sudhindra Acharya of Hejamady was conducted on Tuesday night in observance of Ekadashi.