Mangalore: Devotees Flock Kadri Temple to Seek Lord’s Grace on Rathotsava Day
Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (SP)

Mangalore, Jan 22: The famous Rathotsava (annual car festival) of Lord Manjunatheshwara Temple in Kadri in the city, was held amidst religious rituals and devotional fervour of the enthusiastic crowds which thronged the temple to witness this grand occasion and pay obeisance to the Lord, apart from buying things at the shops that have mushroomed at the car street, on Thursday January 21.

After the oblations and other religious formalities connected with the car festival concluded, the Utsava Murty of Lord Manjunatheshwara was installed in the main chariot of the temple by the priests. As the idol of the Lord was brought out and taken through the outer yard of the temple for placing it in the chariot, devotees burst out in a devotional frenzy, chanting the Lord’s name and raising devotional slogans in His praise.

People from all walks of life, belonging to all religions and castes in the district,  rever Lord Manjunatheshwara. The Ababhruta Snana (holy dip) programme, which is held after taking the Lord idol placed in a planquin through a procession during which, those carrying the idol throw coloured water and powder on one another, culminating in bathing the idol in the temple pond, is being held on Friday January 22.

Before the idol was placed in the chariot, the Swamiji of Kadri Jogi Mutt came on horse back with his disciples as per custom. The main chariot (Brahmaratha) of the temple as well as the Chandra Mandala and silver chariot, were pulled by the devotees around the outer precincts of the temple in the evening. Thousands of people lined up to share the ‘Prasadam’ of the Lord, provided in the form of community feast.

Dozens of shops that have come up at the car street did a brisk business. Many dignitaries visited the temple to pay obeisance to the Lord on the day of Rathotsava.