Silvester D'Souza

Daijiworld Media Network - Kundapur (MS) 

Kundapur, Nov 27: The Laksha Deepotsava that is held every year on Kartika Bahula Amavasya at the historically famous Kundeshwara temple here ended with gaiety and grandeur on November 26. 

Special pooja was offered to Lord Sri Kundeshwara in the temple, devotees sang Bhajans, various cultural programmes increased the beauty of the programme and there was the food offering also to the devotees. In the evening, countless devotees lighted the lamp and took darshan of Lord Kundeshwara.

This festivity, in which the whole village partakes, is in fact a public celebration. Drive was given to the flower chariot and Kattepooje of Lord Kundeshwara. Whole Kundapur city was glittering with lighting and decoration. The cultural programmes organized by various associations increased the fervor of the celebration. 

On the morning of Tuesday, Shatarudrabhisheka, Mahapooje, Maha Mangalarathi and distribution of Prasada was held in the sanctum sanctorum of Lord Kundeshwara. In the night after Rangapooje and Mahamangalarathi, the idol of Lord Kundeshwara is taken out in a procession and three rounds are put inside and outside the temple with the background of traditional musical instruments like Halaga and Jagate. In the last round, the idol is kept on the Palanquin. 

The idol of Lord Kundeshwara was taken out in grand procession throughout the city of Kundapur. The procession was accompanied by various traditional musical instruments like Nagaswara. Janapada artiste troupes, Thattiraya, Dollu Vadana, Chende Vadana, Keelu Kudure, Gombe Dance, Veeragase, Pattada Dance and Nasik Drums increased the grandeur of the occasion. The idol was taken in procession till the new bus stand, where it took a right turn and went up to Hagloor Geleyara Balaga via town municipality road and national highway and arrived back to the car street of the temple on the early morning. 

Kattepooje was held for the idol of Lord Kundeshwara at 16 spots during the procession. The devotees prepare attractive podium on which the idol is kept and pooja is held in every spot, which will be of 20 minute duration. After the pooja, Panchakajjaya prasada is distributed to the devotees. 

The earthen lamps that are lit around the pond of the temple create a magnificent world of new lights due to the reflection of the earthen lamps in the water of the pond. After the procession in the town is over, a pooja is held at the Ashwatha Katte of the temple and also Ashtavadhan Seve is held. Then there will be a Kattepooje outside the temple and coconuts are broken by hitting them against the sacred stones (Eedugallu). All these rituals were conducted as per tradition. 

From Shastri Circle till the new bus stand various cultural programmes arranged by several organizations entertained the devotees. These included drama, orchestra and Yakshagana.