Bantwal: Five-day Chendu, Highlight of Polali Temple Annual Festival Concludes
Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network – Bantwal (SP)
Bantwal, Apr 12: 'Chendu’, one of the unique features of the month-long Goddess Rajarajeshwari Temple, Polali annual festivities, begins seven days earlier to the ‘Avabhruta’ day, and continues to be played for five days. The final Chendu was played in Polali on Monday April 11.
During these five days, Kumara Teru, Hoo Teru, Soorya Mandala, Chandra Mandala, and Pallakki Utsav are organized. After the conclusion of Chendu, ‘Deevatige Salamu Bali’ is organized
Longest Annual Festivity in the Region
Goddess Rajarajeshwari Temple in Polali is one of the ancient, grand temples in Karnataka coast, which continues to protect and project rich cultural heritage of the region.
The annual festivities of the temple, which is located on the bank of River Phalguni, are unique as far as the length of the festivities go. The annual festival of this temple, which begins on the Sankramana of Meena month, continues for a month. The car festival of the temple will be held on Tuesday April 12, and the festivities will culminate with ‘Avabhruta Utsav’ scheduled for tomorrow.
The temple has preserved various practices handed over through generations. At the beginning, the Nattoja approaches the Jois of Puttige lineage of kings after praying to the Goddess. The Avabhruta day is then announced as Wednesday of Suggi month, 30 days since the beginning of the festivities.
‘Bayyana Bali’, ‘Pushpa Puje’, ‘Dandemale Utsavas’ by using different flowers on different days, etc., are held during the festival period. On the 18th day of Meena month, ‘Kolikunta’ is organized.
Chendu’, one of the unique features of the festivities, begins seven days earlier to the ‘Avabhruta’ day, and continues to be played for five days. During these five days, Kumara Teru, Hoo Teru, Soorya Mandala, Chandra Mandala, and Pallakki Utsav are organized. After the conclusion of Chendu, ‘Deevatige Salamu Bali’ is organized. The final Chendu was played in Polali on Monday April 11.
‘On Avabhruta day after conclusion of five-day chendu, Hoovina Puje and Tulabhara services are offered to the Goddess. It is customary that during the festival period here, no auspicious occasions are organized in the houses within the jurisdiction of the temple.