Pics: Chinmaya Studio
News By Chethan Padubidri
Daijiworld Media Network—Udupi (RD/CN)

Udupi, May 21: ‘Brahmakalashabishek’ and ‘Nagamandalotsav’ will be held at Sri Subramanya Temple, Padebettu, near here, on Saturday May 23, with a special ‘puja’ to the temple deity which will be attended by a multitude of devotees.

Various Vedic rituals and cultural programmes began on Monday May 17 at the temple, while a special ‘puja’ related to ‘Brahmakalashotsav’ will be held till Tuesday May 25. 

Sri Subramanya Temple is located about two and a half kilometers along an interior road that lies just half a kilometer from the state highway 13 from Padubidri to Karkala, when one takes a diversion on National Highway 17 at Padubidri junction. 

This historical temple has been restructured at a cost of Rs 2 crore with generous contributions from donors both local and those from abroad.

The sanctuary at the temple is unique amongst the many temples from across undivided Dakshina Kannada district.  
The manuscripts preserved in the archives of the temple prove that Lord Skanda had been worshipped by the locals since ancient times.  It also shed light on the worship of nature which thrived in Tulunadu.

Sasti Utsav:

An annual worship—Sasti Utsav—is held in April.  A large number of devotees offer prayers during this time seeking relief from various ailments, blessings for children, graces for good health, and prosperity in farming. They offer coconuts, rice, and pulses to Lord Subramanya.  

Some of them distribute plantains, a traditional practice passed down generations.  The devotees are also offered ‘prasadam’ in the form of sugarcane and sweet dishes on the occasion.