Silvester D'Souza
Daijiworld Media Network - Kundapur (SP)
Kundapur, Apr 16: The annual car festival of Lord Venkataramana temple here, which is famously known with the name, 'Pete Venkataramana Temple', was held on the holy occasion of 'Rama Navami', which fell on Friday April 15.
On Thursday, ritualistic sacrifice was performed in the morning, followed by Bali, community feast, procession of the Lord seated in palanquin, Katte puja, flower chariot festival at night, Vasanta Puja etc. At 6 pm on that day, Yakshagana puppetry show was held by Bhaskar Kogga Kamath's Uppinakudru team.
On Friday, Panchamrutha Abhisheka, Kanakabhisheka, oblation, Tulabhara, Mahaprarthane, Mahapuje, Mahabalal Pradana, ascenesion of the chariot by the Lord, and Vasanta Puja were celebrated.
Thousands of devotees took part in the programmes with devotion and enthusiasm. Managing trustee of the temple, K Radhakrishna Shenoy, trustees, Kody Sriniva Shenoy and P Malappa Pai along with scores of dignitaries hailing from the area participated.
The temple here has unique significance as it is a combination of harmonious relationship between Shivite and Vaishana traditions. The car festival here has a history of two centuries. The route the chariot takes also is unique for this temple as the route forms oval shape. When the chariot is placed opposite the temple here, the eyes of the Utsava Murty and presiding deity meet, which is of special significance as per the puja traditions.
The entire town wore festive look with a number of shops dealing in diferent wares lining both sides of the main road. At the same time, singing of Bhajans and cultural programmes held on day-to-day basis supplemented the Vedic procedures performed to appease the Lord.