Udupi: Annual Festivities at Sri Mahaligeshwara Ganapati Temple Reflect Fervour, Tradition

News and Pics by Hemanath Padubidri
Daijiworld Media Network—Udupi (RD/CN)
 
Udupi, Mar 23: The annual festivities at Sri Mahalingeshwara Ganapati Temple, Padubidri, near here were held on Saturday March 21 and Sunday March 22. 
 
Thousands of devotees regardless of caste, creed, and religion, thronged the temple premises to participate in the religious rituals and grand celebrations.  Last year, unforeseen torrential rains had caused this annual event to be called off. 

The rains had played spoilsport, flooding the temple grounds with knee-deep water making it impossible to move the massive chariot which is drawn by devotees each year. However, this year, everything went on without a hitch.
 
A colourful display of fireworks on Saturday March 21 was the mega attraction for the large gathering of devotees and spectators.
 
Various religious rituals were conducted by the temple priests on both days to the accompaniment of traditional music and a grand offering by all devotees was held at 4.00 pm on Sunday.
 
Temple administrator Prashant Kumar Shetty and Chandayya Arasu Kinyakka Ballal of Padubidribeedu were also present on the occasion.