Mangalore Car Festival commences with religious fervour

Mangalore Car Festival commences with religious fervour

Mangalore Today News Network

Photo: Manju Neereshwallya

Mangalore, Feb 6: The Shri Vekataramana Car Festival, which is popularly known as the Mangalore Car Festival, commenced with grand religious ceremonies in the premises of the temple in the evening of Feb 6, 2011.  The festival commenced in the morning with Maha pradhana prardhana.

 

 

 

 

 

 

H H Srimad Sayamendra Thirtha Swamiji Arrived at the Shree Venkatramana Temple at 8 PM. He was taken on a specially decorated Pallakin in grand procession. The Swamiji will be camping here till the 14th of February.

 

 

 

Over 10,000 people visited the Temple and offered prayers. The temple provided meal for everyone which they consider it as ’Prasada’ (Devasthana Jevana). The anual Car Festival is one that Mangalorean GSB community make it a point to be in Car street. Every year lakhs of people attent the holy festival

 

The Gone Muhurtha marked the beginning of the first day of this festival, after which the idol of Lord Venkataramana will be taken in a Bandi Utsav and a Gopur Utsav. 

During the Gopur Utsav, the idol was taken around the temple premises 5 times. The first round, known as the “Veda Suttu” included chanting of hymns to the god. The second round, known as the “Bhajana Suttu,” included the singing of bhajans by devotees. The third round, known as “Chende Suttu,” included the playing of instruments similar to the dhol. The fourth round, known as “Vaadya Suttu,” included the playing of instruments such as saxophones.

The fifth and final round, known as “Doundi Suttu,” had the priests and the devotees take the idol in a palanquin around the premises. After these rituals, the idol was placed at the Vasanth Mantapa of the temple and then taken into the temple. 

The Car Festival will be concluded on Friday, February 11.