Mangalore: Devotees Throng in Thousands to Witness Grand Kadri Rathotsava

Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (NR)
Pics : Dayanand Kukkajje
 
Mangalore, Jan 23: The much-awaited annual car festival of Kadri Manjunatheswara temple began here at 7.30 pm on Tuesday Jan 22 with a great deal of fanfare and festivity. Devotees everywhere were seen celebrating the religious occasion with deep reverence and religious piety.   

Devotees in hordes thronged the auspicious venue, coming from all over the state to witness the grand ‘Rathotsava’, which is held annually at the temple premises. At the venue was seen the 'Brahma Ratha’, the ‘Bolli’ (silver) ‘Ratha’ and the ‘Chandramandala Ratha’. The silver ‘Ratha’ is pulled only by children as per tradition.   
 
Everywhere one could see huge throngs of devotees with children in tow participating in the’ Rathotsava’, especially when the deity was taken out in a silver chariot. The significance of the festivity could be seen from the fact that even politicians attended to partake in the religious rites at the temple. One noticed even former chief minister BS Yeddyurappa, BJP state president, Sadananada Gowda and others visiting the temple on the occasion to seek the deity’s’ blessing in the form of prasadam.