Udupi: Suggi Mari Puje at Kaup - Devotees bathe in spiritual splendour

Inchara Udupi
Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (SP)

Udupi, Mar 28: It is the time of the year devotees of Goddess Mariamma of Kaup have been waiting for. Mari Puje was celebrated in all the three Mari Gudi temples located in Kaup town, on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Devotees come seeking the divine blessings of the Goddess not only from the twin-districts of Udupi and Dakshina Kannada, but also from other parts of the state and other states.

The rituals conducted during Mari Puje are unique, and represent the cultural and folklore heritage of the region. All the three temples in Kaup that are dedicated to Goddess Mariamma, viz, Hale Mariamma Temple, Hosa Mari Gudi, and Moorane Mariamma Temple, are considered to be abodes of divine powers where the wishes of the people who pray humbly are granted instantly.

The annual festivities at the Mariamma temples are Suggi Mari Puje, Atida Mari Puje, and Jarde Mari Puje. Some of the observations and rituals in these festivities have undergone some changes because of the demand of the changing times, while several others are retained unchanged since ages.

There are two other temples in Kaup, of which one is dedicated to Lord Janardhan, and the other, to Lord Venkataramana. These temples are considered as family deities of Mariamma temples, and have always shared a unique bond with the Mari Gudis.

The three Mariamma temples were decorated with colourful lighting and flowers. The festivities began on Tuesday, and devotees thronged the temples in lacs till Wednesday evening.

Traditionally, devotees, who come from various places in the region and distant places like Mumbai and Bangalore to the festival, sacrifice animals like sheep, goat, and poultry birds to appease the Goddess. Sources said that this time, over two lac poultry birds were sold for the purpose.

Kaup circle inspector, Shivanand Walekar, and station house officer, Archana, supervised security arrangements.