Udupi car festival concludes

Udupi, Karnataka Jan 15 (UNI) The seven day annual Car festival "Sapthotsav" of the famous Sri Krishna temple here ended here today with the daylight "Bramha Rathotsav" of the presiding diety lord Sri Krishna, popularly known as "Choornotsav", followed by 'Avabhuth snan' (holy dip) in Madhwa sarovar, the main temple tank.

As part of sapthotsav, a colorful "three rath" festival was held in the night on the "Makara Sankrhanthi" day yesterday to mark the installation of 'Saligrama Shila' statue of 'lord Sri Krishna' in Udupi by great saint and one of the three great acharyas of the country Sri Madhwacharya over 800 years ago.

Large number of pilgrims had assembled in the main car street of the temple to witness the rathotsav of small medium and huge Bramharath. The presiding diety was taken in 'Bramharath' while lord mukhyaprana was taken the small rath while the medium rath was occupied by the presiding dieties of oldest temple of Udupi Sri Chandramouleeshwar and lord Anantheshwar, various asta (eight) mutt swamijis of Udupi including Sri Vishvesha Thirtha Swamiji of Pejavar Mutt, the pontiffs of Admar Mutt, Sode Mutt, Palimar Mutt, Shiroor Mutt and Kaniyur Mutt participated in the car festival which was held under the guidence of sri Vidyasaara Thirtha Swamiji of Paryaya Krishnapura Mutt.

Before the rathotsav begain, the swamijis threw fruits, laddoos, coconuts and vegetables from "Bramharath" at the assembled huge crowd as 'prasadam' the exicited assembled devotees drew the rath as 'Govinda Govinda' rented the air. The specially made clay idol of "lord Sri Krishna" which was taken in the colourful Car festival today was later immersed in the main temple tank folowed by the holy dip taken by the swamijis and the other devotees.

The presiding diety was adorned with "vajra Kavach" yesterday and today long queue were seen at the temple since morning on both days to have the "Darshan" of lord Sri Krishna at the temple.

UNI