Three Chariot Festival Held at Sri Krishna Temple
Udupi: The “Three Chariot Festival”, as part of the “Sapthotsava”, was held with traditional pomp and gaiety at Car Street here on January 14. A large number of devotees participated in the event.
The “Utsava Murtis” of Lord Krishna and Lord Mukhyaprana were brought to the “Madhwa Sarovara” (Holy pond in the Sri Krishna Temple premises) in a golden palanquin. They were then placed in a decorated boat in the shape of a chariot, which took three rounds in the Holy pond. The idol of Lord Krishna was then taken out and placed in the “Brahmaratha”, the idol of Lord Mukhyaprana in the “Garuduratha” and the “Utsava Murtis” of Lord Ananteshwara and Lord Chandramouleshwara were placed in the “Mahapuja Ratha” in front of Sri Krishna Temple. Hundreds of devotees pulled the three chariots chanting the name of the Lord.
The “Rathas” moved in the clockwise direction and came to a halt in front of Sri Krishna Temple. The deities were placed in the golden palanquin and carried to Vasanth Mahal for the Puja.
After the Puja, the Paryaya Palimar Swamiji offered “Mantrakshata” to the devotees. Later, the “Utsava Murtis” were carried to the sanctum sanatorium of the temple and the “Mangalarati” was performed. The Swamiji then offered sandal oil, paste and flowers to the other Swamijis.
On the first five days of the “Sapthotsava”, only two chariots are drawn. During the first five days, the deities of Lord Krishna and Lord Mukhyaprana are carried in the “Garudaratha” while those of Lord Chandramouleshwara and Lord Ananteshwara are carried in the “Mahapuja Ratha”.